New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Indians are usually very pleased to see expats wear their styles. More so than other countries and it is very practical for the weather. Otherwise smart casual will do in many situations. Men are suits for business. Women are a parallel to this. Formal dress for Indian weddings (although this could be Indian dressy instead). Maybe a few charity events or National Days. - Jun 2024
Business casual. Formal dress is required occasionally. - Apr 2024
Women a bit on the modest side, but expats can often wear items that Indians would not wear without issue. Some events like wedding are very dressy. - Apr 2024
Suits and ties, which is a head scratcher given that temps from April to August can be upwards of 115 degrees F. Roads melt in the late spring from the heat. Embassy attire is business, though LES can wear saris, etc. Don'f forget the most important accessory - and N95 mask for the air pollution. It's off the charts horrendous almost year round. I had four to five masks that I rotated depending on the occasion. - Sep 2020
Traditional Indian dress for women is the sari, which completely covers the legs and shoulders, but leaves your midriff bare. I think this presents a mind-bender for Westerners because a bare midriff for us is more scandalous than shorts and a tank top. Besides this seeming contradiction, Indian dress is conservative. Shorts, skimpy skirts and tops, tight-clothing, and excess exposed skin will garner you extra attention in public. So please don’t wear these clothes and then complain about being stared at! Office attire is accordingly conservative, and there are sadly a lot more suits than I expected in this hot climate. Indian clothing - for men and women, for foreigners and Indians - is very welcome in the workplace and in public. Expats have many opportunities for balls and receptions, so formal wear would come in handy. Although these are also perfect opportunities to wear Indian clothing, and get a specially-tailored outfit to take home as a souvenir! - Jul 2020
The Embassy is formal but not overly rigid due to the extreme heat in the summer months. - Jul 2019
Local formal dress for woman at the official functions, and casual at work. Men at work: mostly shirt and tie. All depends on the chief of mission. The previous ambassador had a rule that from April through September (hot months) - tie is not required. - Oct 2017
At the Embassy, the dress code is the same as the US, though often a tie and jacket is not required during the hot months.
Out and about, women should have shoulders and knees covered. I wore a lot of maxi skirts and t-shirts or local garb--especially the drawstring pants with kurtas (long loose tops). So comfy! Cheap and bright and perfect for every occasion. You can dress a bit fancier or with bare shoulders at restaurants in hotels.
Many diplomatic events are dressy at night. You can never go wrong wearing Indian clothing for formal occasions--saris or a Nehru suit. - Mar 2017
Women should generally cover shoulders and legs. You will sweat through every item of clothing you own. - Feb 2017
Often formal, more on the modest side. I feel like covering up my shoulders with a shawl if I'm wearing a tank top and walking over to our gym. - Nov 2016
Modest is best. Woman cover shoulders and knees, and men wear long pants. Adults are advised not to wear shorts when off the compound. - Jun 2016
Generally modest, especially in public, to avoid harassment. - Sep 2014
Business or business casual. - Sep 2014
If I could get a job, I might be able to answer this question. - Aug 2013
You don't need to go full on sari/shalwar kameez, but shorts won't work. Loose linens that cover shoulders and have sleeves are wise. The dress code at work is oppressively formal, given the weather in summer. - May 2013
Conservative. Eve teasing is real. - Oct 2012
Cover your shoulders and for girls, try to wear longer pants because girls are looked at more as objects than people. You don't need to walk around in full cultural garments like a sari. - Sep 2012
Modest. - Aug 2011
conservative - Aug 2011
Conservative for women. - Aug 2011
Conservative. - Jan 2011
Suit/tie for men. Pants/suit for women. Loose clothes due to cultural norms and the heat. Linen and cotton rule. - Sep 2010
Formal in winter, more flexible in summer due to the unbearable heat. - Aug 2010
Work is suit and tie (no jacket in the summer).For public, men shouldn't wear shorts and women shouldn't show legs or shoulders. - Aug 2010
Men tend to go to work in suits, although in summer they wear short-sleeve shirts. Nobody wears shorts here, so you will get stared at if you do. In shopping malls and expat areas, women can wear Western-style clothes. - Aug 2010
Men tend to go to work in suits although in summer they wear short sleeve shirts. Nobody wears shorts here and you will get stared at if you do. In shopping malls and expat areas the women can wear Western style clothes. But in the markets you get less attention if you wear the local dress. - Mar 2008
Definitely dress conservatively. Skin showing is a no-no. Dressing sloppy is too. - Feb 2008
