The Craig Effron

Craig's pretty into materialistic things like clothing so we're gonna start an advice column. Until we get some writers the advice you read on this page will be taken from other sites. I found this really cool site that tells you what to wear, if you were a woman, by the country you are going to. I thought since Craig loves Indians we would let people know what to wear when one goes to India. Please read below:

Craig Effron
Remember this hint. Skirts are so much easier than pants if you have to use squatting Indian toilets! Megan, a friend of Craig Effron, Vancouver, USA

When travelling in Bangladesh it is important to cover up. Showing your legs, upper arms, or any cleavage is frowned upon and you may have unwanted attentions from the local men. Your clothing should also be loose. Not only is it important to be modest there, but loose clothing is more comfortable in the tropical heat. Wear sandals or slip-on shoes when you visit a local's house because most Bangladeshis take off their shoes when entering a home. When I went out in public I often wore sunglasses. Not only were they good for eye protection, but they also stopped me from meeting men's eyes, an action that can be interpreted as in invitation in Bangladesh.
Becky, Grand Rapids, USA

Buy a 'Salwar Kameez'. It's a dress-with-pants-and-shawl type of thing, worn by Muslim women, but also by Hindu women. The shawl can be draped around you shoulders and across your chest, saves you some stares, or used as a headdress if you go into temples or mosques. As almost all women in India wear either a Saree or a Salwar Kameez you will be regarded well as you are dressing appropriately. Wearing jeans and a shirt is okay for travelling, but only for that. You can buy a Salwar almost anywhere but the best way to have one that suits you is to buy some cloth at a store and then go to a tailor and have it made for you. Bloem, Huizen, Netherlands

Wear black because no matter how posh your accommodation, you will get covered in dust. Wearing black requires fewer trips to the laundromat. I'd recommend a long skirt ...ankle or calf length in a cool fabric with a loose fitting long-sleeved top... that seems to please everyone. Not very exciting but certainly handy. I also found a long piece of dark viscose fabric very helpful - this was wound around my head and shoulders. Even where it's not necessary to do this for cultural reasons, it really is one of the best ways of keeping the sun off. Katelyn, Auckland, New Zealand

My day-dress was a light khaki shirtwaist with plenty of pockets from a popular travel outlet; worn for years when traveling in Asia. In India, however, it seemed to attract unusual attention. Finally someone explained that it was like the dress worn by Candice Bergen when she portrayed a photojournalist in the movie "Gandhi" which all Indians have practically memorized! Eleanor, Sandwich, USA

I bring groups of American students to India every year, and always ask my students to be respectful of local custom and dress modestly. Several girls last year saw other foreign tourist women wearing tank tops and/or shorts and followed suit. The difference in how they were treated was dramatic. Wearing tank tops and shorts invited countless more lewd comments and attempts to look down the girls' shirts. While it won't entirely eliminate stares and cat calls, wearing modest clothing, particularly wearing Indian clothing, almost always brings you more respect and courtesy, anywhere in the country. I have people commenting to me all the time how much they appreciate that I wear so much Indian clothing and that they automatically treated me differently. Mary, Burlington, USA

When you're in India, please don't wear shorts. Wear ankle length skirts and cotton blouses that can be washed out and quickly dried. No tight tee shirts -- they are trashy and dry slowly. Wear sandals that you can slip out of easily when visiting temples. If you are trekking, a blue jean skirt and camp shirt is ideal. Bring running shoes for around camp at night or in case you get a blister from your boots. While in India carry a large scarf to make your own hood and personal space while in crowds or on buses. Margaret, Evanston, USA

Be culturally correct and know what you're wearing. Many western women wear sari petticoats and blouses without the sari. This is the equivalent to walking on the street with your underwear on and is considered in very poor taste. Anita, Toronto, Canada

I traveled in Southern India. My family is originally from a state called Kerala in the southern part of India. We went for a short visit two years ago. The South tends to be a bit more conservative than other parts of India. I would advise women to leave their shorts and halter tops at home. If you take skirts make sure they are at least knee length. Not advisable to wear super clingy fabrics (loose cotton and other natural fibers are best).

In more religious parts of the country, Hindus may take offense if you are wearing clothing made out of leather (shoes are often excusable).As a foreign woman you will undoubtedly fall victim to catcalls, stares, physical advances etc. regardless of how you dress. For this reason it is advisable to travel with one or more people. Bindu, New York, USA

One nice thing about travelling in India is that you don't have to worry about looking ultra-fashionable. In fact, the only way to fit in with fashion in India is to wear a sari or a punjabi suit. My favorite travelling item was a long, olive green skirt made from a polyester micro-fiber. It looked like silk and wore like steel. It also dried in about 1 hour in the sun, and did not need ironing. Also good for travelling in India are very loose fitting light cotton pants. If you are going to India, you need very few clothes because if you need something along the way, a tailor can make it for you in a few hours. Also make sure you take clothes that hide the dirt well, it is very dusty there. Krista, Vancouver, Canada

Blondes and Red Heads take note! Indian men love to stare. As an Indian woman I find that foreign travellers can lessen curious on-lookers by avoiding shorts, short skirts and sleeveless shirts. Archana, Seattle, USA