What To Wear In India As A Female Traveller In 2025
India — where the cities are buzzing with life, and history lives on every corner. But before we get ready to get those selfies and Instagrammable photos, a question almost all women ask is how to dress in India. So if you’re one of them and are wondering what to wear in India as a female traveller, this guide shares insider tips from a local on what to wear, what to avoid and how to pack modest yet stylish outfits for your comfort!
What to Pack for India as a Woman?
As someone who’s grown up in India and has had the ‘natural gift’ of understanding the norms around outfits, I am often asked this. I can imagine it being challenging for a lot of women who would love to see this side of the world but may be put off by the worry of not knowing. I hope this guide helps put those fears to bed.
Is There a Dress Code for Women in India?
While there is no official or strict dress code for women to follow in India, cultural norms are very much alive. They vary based on where you are, whether it is a religious area or if you are in a rural community.
Modesty is appreciated and often expected. Generally speaking, women in India wear a combination of attires, from traditional wear like sarees and kurtis (long Indian tunics) to Western outfits like a pair of jeans with a t-shirt. The staring is real, especially if you are a visibly foreign tourist. But don’t let that hold you back; instead, be mindful.
Key Guidance for Female Tourists in India
- Cover your thighs, cleavage and sometimes shoulders
- Carry a scarf, a shawl/dupatta, especially in religious places or rural areas
- Wear loose-fitting tops and bottoms which are both cooling and modest
- Avoid shorts, skirts, camisoles or slip-tops
🌟 Pro Tip: Don’t overpack. There are a lot of opportunities to go street shopping, one with a variety in style and that’ll make you go crazy (I did)! You’ll want to shop here once you see the Indian street markets trust me, they are such affordable fashion treasure troves!
🌟 Double Pro Tip: Bargain!! If they say 500 rupees (roughly £4.5/$6), start bargaining just below 50% of the price. Even though I am a local, seeing my partner (very visibly foreign), the vendors tried “foreigner pricing” with me, as they call it. But knowing some Hindi helped big time!
Region-wise Clothing Guide for Women Travelling India
Delhi & Agra
What to Wear in Delhi as a Female Traveller
In Delhi, temperatures can either be scorching hot or chilly in winter. For colder months (Dec-Feb), I recommend layered outfits – a combination of thermal tops and shirts. These can be paired with jeans and modest outerwear like puffer jackets and sweaters. Carrying a scarf and cardigan add an extra layer when needed.
This works very well for regions like Old Delhi which is a hub for historic monuments and religious places such as mosques and temples as it makes covering your chest, shoulders and thighs easy. However, if you are in the city during the warm weather, you can replace the jacket with a scarf/cardigan and wear linen/cotton trousers instead of jeans.
I switched to a crop top and layered it with a puffer jacket to go to a cocktail bar with my family. So, as you can understand, my choice of clothing depended on the area I was going to as it seemed safer to wear them.
How to dress in Agra as a woman
What to WEAR to visit the TAJ MAHAL
When visiting the Taj Mahal, you can either go completely traditional – a kurti with an Indian bottom or wear something Western. I saw a lot of women wearing longer skirts and shorts with sleeveless tops inside the Taj Mahal arena. So I’d say you can style it up a bit as it is a tourist-heavy area.
I wore a one-sided off-shoulder top with jeans and carried my puffer jacket everywhere with me. Having warm layers was necessary as it can be colder in Agra (as you can see from the people behind me in the photo above) than in Delhi. If it is the summer season, I’d still recommend carrying a light jacket or a cardigan for coverage as it will be needed outside the main area of the Taj Mahal as Agra is quite a conservative city.
Fatehpur Sikri is a bit far off from the main city of Agra and is not crowded at all. But a lot of female foreign tourists are visiting who wear jeans or linen trousers topped with a T-shirt and scarf or a top with a jacket on.
Summary:
- Breathable, loose clothing with jeans in warm temperatures
- Carry jackets/scarves or thin layers for when coverage is needed
- In tourist-heavy areas like the Taj Mahal, don’t be afraid to go for that nice top!
- When in a nice location for dinner etc, wearing a cute top is okay but remember to carry a cover-up just in case
- Don’t shy away from trying an Indian outfit like kurtis or Indian tunics with jeans.
Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore etc.)
Travel Outfits to Wear in Rajasthan for Foreign Tourists
When travelling in Rajasthan, it is safe to say that you can easily follow the dressing etiquette of Delhi and Agra here. A combination of jeans, trousers, sweaters, shirts and tops.
For religious landmarks – you know it – cover your chest, shoulders and thighs. A scarf comes in handy as some of the places will need head coverings for both women and men. You can wear a loose-fitting cotton top made of breathable fabrics with jeans. I wore a kurti, the tunic, which really helped me connect to my Indian roots.
If you are visiting the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer and doing the Camel Safari as we did (check out our itinerary here!), you will experience a mix of cold and hot weather in one day.
Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the daytime and wear light layers with breathable trousers – the temperature can go as high as 50 degrees Celsius. But be sure to take a sweater or a warm jacket for the night as it can drop up to -6 degrees Celsius or more. The safari guides provide water and warm duvets to sleep with but it’s always best to be ready with warm and light-breathable clothes to suit your convenience.
To get more tips and advice for travelling around this magical state see our 7-day Rajasthan Itinerary.
Mumbai & South India
Clothes to wear in Mumbai as a female tourist
Super relaxed, and a place with a forward-thinking attitude. Sleeveless tops, crop tops, shorts, and linen trousers, all work thankfully, given the humidity. It feels safer, and way more comfortable compared to the North but needless to say, locations and regions matter when choosing your outfits. Still recommend carrying a light cover-up for when it may be needed.
For the beaches in Mumbai, women rarely go into the sea. On the odd occasion when they do, it is in loose T-shirts and trousers. But if you are going to cocktail bars and nice restaurants, modern Western attire is very common.
how to Dress in South India (Kerala, and Hampi) as a woman
We only visited the western part of south India, especially Kerala, but it felt more laid-back and relaxed for female travellers. I would, however, still recommend using outfits similar to the ones in North India, especially with Hampi being a religious site for the country. Some outfit ideas are below:
- Cotton tops and blouses
- Knee-length midi dresses
- Loose-fitting trousers
- Scarves and light layering as cover-ups
- Avoid tight clothes as modesty is key
what women wear in Goa
What a mesmerising, liberal, part of the country. Why do I say that? It was quite hard for me to believe that anywhere in India, the answer to the question: Can you wear a bikini in Goa? Would be yes!
Some of the outfit ideas that work really well in Goa are your cute tops, sundresses, and tank tops. Ditch the stiff jeans and rugged shoes and switch to shorts and flip flops. But I would recommend wearing bikinis with cover-ups only in South Goa as North Goa is a popular tourist spot for Indian tourists, especially in areas such as Baga, and may not be as accepting.
For nightclubs, anything between a dress, shorts with a cute crop top or a chic look – all works!!
🌟 Pro Tip: Most judgment or stares at the beach if any, will come from non-local tourists (yes men and women both), but not locals. So enjoy and don’t let that make you feel uncomfortable!
Complete Packing Checklist for Female Travellers
This is a complete list of must-haves from my experience, to give you an idea of what to wear in India as a female traveller:
- A few pairs of linen or cotton trousers
- Loose tops and shirts
- Off-shoulder/crop tops for specific tourist-heavy areas
- Indian traditional outfits to blend in if you like
- Scarves, or dupattas (head + shoulders)
- Cover-ups/cardigans for body-hugging tops
- Shorts, sundresses and cute tops in Goa but bikinis only in the south of Goa
- Walking shoes but flip flops for the beach
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen!
Is India Safe for Women in 2025?
This is a really difficult question to answer as it is impossible to say anywhere is completely safe and India certainly does have its challenges (hence why I moved away).
However, millions of women live and visit India every year and the overwhelming majority have a great experience.
Using this guide and following official guidance such as UK Government Travel Advice – India, should help you have a safe and enjoyable trip while exploring all India has to offer.
Final Thoughts: Dressing with Confidence and Comfort
Travelling as a woman in India can seem challenging, and feel stupid or even frustrating at times because why do we even have to think about this? But I’ve got you, my girls! Nothing should stop our wanderlust – and until things change, we adapt – without letting it dull your sparkle ✨
Be mindful, and aware so you stay safe, and comfortable and enjoy your journey!
Can I wear a bikini in India?
It is recommended to wear a bikini only in South Goa, or the very distant north of the state as the culture only exists in some parts of Goa. However, private pools and beach resorts that cater to tourists will be safe areas to wear bikinis.
Is it safe to wear sleeveless tops in India?
Yes, it is safe to wear sleeveless tops in tourist-heavy areas, and specific locations in modern cosmopolitan cities like Mumbai and then in Goa but it is recommended to either have a scarf or light jacket for coverage or not wear it.
What do I wear when visiting temples or mosques?
The best outfits to wear when visiting religious landmarks are anything that covers your chest, thighs and shoulders. Sometimes it may be needed for both women and men to cover their heads so it is recommended to carry a scarf or a handkerchief respectively when needed.
What do I wear in India for summer/hot weather?
Breathable and loose linen, rayon and cotton tops are best to wear during the summer season in India. As bottoms, jeans or cotton trousers work incredibly well with loose tops.
Is it acceptable for foreign women to wear Indian clothes?
Yes, it is acceptable to wear Indian clothes as a female tourist! Most people in India really appreciate and feel happy to see someone from outside the country becoming a part of their culture.
Is it safe to wear Western clothes in India as a female tourist?
Yes, it is acceptable to wear Western clothes in India and it is becoming more common, especially in major cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore.
Author: Poorva Sinha
Hi, I’m Poorva, one-half of BeyondBothShores.
I grew up in India but now live in the UK where it’s my ambition to explore the world through travel, culture and personal growth. My story began when I first visited East Asia as a 10-year-old and then did a short solo trip to Mexico as a teenager – changed my life and my view of the world!
Today, I’m immersed in a completely different culture, which only fuels my curiosity to experience and share more. I have realized that it is easy to love people, embrace their cultures and learn from them if you’re open to it. Needless to say, it always helps you give back and help them learn from you.
At Beyond Both Shores, you’ll find honest travel tips, cultural insights and personal stories as we explore new destinations.
So join us in this adventure and let’s learn about the world together!
