This is much more for the ladies; lads get off lightly, and men will not have to make many changes to their normal clothing.
Keep in mind that the north of India can get cold - and that India as a whole is not always hot! Temperatures in Delhi and the North regularly fall into the single digits, and a coat may be required at night or when out of the sun. The south of India is generally hot and humid all year.
Many people in India prefer to travel in closed shoes because the streets are not always clean. After a while, you may decide that tying and untying shoes to enter houses and temples is a pain and revert to your sandals/flip flops. If you're not going to be mingling with the who's who in the big cities, forget about high heels.
What Should Male Travellers Wear in India?
The vast majority of Indian men will be dressed in t-shirt and jeans, shirt and jeans, or work-shirt and smart trousers. That covers the variation. Kurta Pyjama / Salwaar Kameez is almost exclusively worn for formal occasions or in some rural societies, and it is not required for visitors. In India, shorts are becoming more popular, but long trousers remain the norm. You won't offend anyone if you don't walk around without a top!
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What Should Female Travellers Wear in India?
Covering up as a female traveller makes a big difference in how you're approached: always cover your shoulders and knees. You don't have to wear Indian attire unless you want to, in which case a few beautiful Kurtas (tunic tops) may be difficult to resist!
Here are some tips on what to wear in India for women:
Take a light cotton scarf or two - these are great to drape across your chest/shoulders or head if you're getting too much attention! I've used scarves to conceal myself on buses and in other places where I needed to be discreet! You'll find plenty of lovely scarves to purchase, so don't take too many.
Wear light-weight, long trousers; showing "leg" is frowned upon in India (unless you're on a beach in Goa or in a trendy Mumbai nightclub).
As previously stated, 90 percent of ladies cover their shoulders. Cleavage or any hint of chest is prohibited.
In general, you can be more relaxed in the cosmopolitan areas of Mumbai and Bangalore (this does not apply to Delhi), and the more rural and remote you go, the more conservative you need to be with your dress. Local clothing is ideal for fitting in when venturing off the beaten path!
The preceding applies to all women, but the more obviously "un-Indian" you appear (think blonde hair), the more effort you'll need to make - as eyes are naturally curious.
Safe travel for women in India is a topic in and of itself, but I've discovered a couple of things that have been especially helpful: getting a mobile phone with a local number has been great for checking my location and avoiding "detours" in rickshaws from enterprising drivers. A book is an excellent decoy for avoiding eye contact with would-be-romancers. It's worth noting that meaningless chit chat with stranger men is not the norm in Indian society, and conversing with young strangers can be interpreted as a sign of "interest."
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