Question 1

What should I wear to a job interview in India?

Accepted Answer

Dress one step more formal than the people who already work there. For corporate roles: a solid shirt with tailored trousers, or a blazer, for men; a formal shirt and trousers, a blazer, or a plain kurta set or cotton saree in a muted colour for women. For startups and creative roles, smart casual is safer: a plain, well-fitting shirt or top, chinos or dark jeans without rips, and clean shoes. Iron everything and skip anything you will fidget with.

Question 2

What should I wear on my first day at a new job?

Accepted Answer

Go slightly smarter than you expect the office to be, then adjust after watching for a week. A plain shirt or top, tailored trousers or a straight kurta set, and closed, comfortable shoes work almost anywhere. Avoid brand-new shoes, because you will be walking around being introduced. Plan the first week’s outfits the night before so mornings are calm.

Question 3

What should I wear to an office party?

Accepted Answer

If it is in the office straight after work, keep your work outfit and change one thing: statement earrings, a silk top, or a printed jacket in place of the blazer. If it is at a restaurant in the evening, dress for a nice dinner rather than a nightclub, because your colleagues will see the photos on Monday. For a Diwali office party, a festive kurta or a light saree is always welcome.

Question 4

What should I wear to a temple?

Accepted Answer

Cover your shoulders and knees, and wear something you can sit cross-legged in: a kurta set, a saree, a long skirt with a top, or for men a kurta or shirt with full-length trousers or a dhoti. Leave leather belts and bags behind where a temple asks for it, and choose shoes that are easy to leave at the entrance. Some temples, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, enforce a dress code (a mundu or dhoti for men, a saree or salwar for women), so check before you go.

Question 5

What should I wear for a puja at home?

Accepted Answer

Something clean, traditional and comfortable to sit on the floor in: a cotton or silk kurta set, a saree, or a kurta with pyjama or dhoti. Many families prefer new or freshly washed clothes in bright, auspicious colours such as yellow, red, orange and green, and avoid black. Skip anything tight or short, since you will be sitting, bending and moving around the fire.

Question 6

What should I wear to a funeral or prayer meeting in India?

Accepted Answer

In most Hindu, Sikh and Jain families, white or off-white is the norm, and pale, muted colours are always safe: a plain white or light cotton kurta set or saree, or a white shirt with plain trousers. Avoid bright colours, shine, heavy jewellery and anything that draws attention. Christian and Muslim families may expect black or dark colours instead, so follow the family’s custom if you know it.

Question 7

What should I wear to a baby shower or godh bharai?

Accepted Answer

Festive daywear works for guests: a pastel or bright kurta set, a light saree, an anarkali or a flowy dress; men in a kurta or a smart shirt. If you are the mother-to-be, choose a soft, stretchy lehenga or an empire-waist anarkali in the colour your family uses for the ritual (often green or yellow), with flat shoes.

Question 8

What should I wear for a college farewell?

Accepted Answer

In many Indian colleges the farewell is saree day, and a first saree is a big moment. Pick a light chiffon, georgette or pre-draped saree that is easy to manage, in a colour your friends are not wearing, and practise draping it once before the day. If saree is not the theme, a lehenga skirt with a crop top, a co-ord or a dress works; boys usually wear a kurta set or a blazer with a shirt.

Question 9

What should I wear to a convocation or graduation?

Accepted Answer

You will be under a gown in most photos, so focus on what shows: the collar, the sleeves and the shoes. A crisp shirt or a solid kurta, tailored trousers or a cotton saree, and shoes you can walk across a stage in. Avoid bulky collars and loud prints that fight with the gown and sash.

Question 10

What should I wear to the airport or on a long flight?

Accepted Answer

Comfort that still looks deliberate: soft trousers or joggers, a cotton tee or shirt, a layer because planes are cold, and slip-on shoes for security. Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket to save luggage space. On long flights, pick breathable fabrics and avoid jeans that dig in after hours of sitting.

Question 11

What should I wear for brunch?

Accepted Answer

Easy daytime pieces: a linen shirt, a co-ord set, a midi dress, or a short kurta with straight jeans, plus clean sneakers or sandals. Light colours and prints look good in daylight photos.

Question 12

What should I wear to a concert or music festival in India?

Accepted Answer

Plan for standing, heat and crowds: breathable fabric, a crossbody bag, closed shoes you can stand in for hours, and a layer for winter shows outdoors in North India. Black tees and denim are the default at rock gigs; at big festivals people go brighter, with co-ords and statement sunglasses. Do not wear anything you would worry about in a crowd.

What to wear to interviews, temples, pujas, funerals, flights and farewells