What to wear?
Footwear is your most important choice. Comfortable, easy to take on and off, happy to be in amongst camels at Pushkar and protect your feet. We’ll be walking, so shoes that do not give you blisters. Or make you over-heat. I like a pair of trail shoes, or comfortable trainers with a decent sole. It’s nice to have a pair of Birks or flipflops in the evening when we’re relaxing.
Sarong: Your most important piece of kit. Use it as a shawl or head covering in religious sites, as a towel in an emergency, seat cover, extra mozzy protection. I’ve used mine as an impromptu curtain, scarf and dog lead.
Trousers: Comfortable, not too tight, easy to wash if you feel you might like to travel light. Deep pockets handy.
Tops: Tunics or shirts that cover your bum when you bend low to photograph a street scene. Nothing too gauzy or indiscreet. Best with sleeves.
Shorts, swimwear, and skimpy tops are best worn inside your hotel. I like a cotton dressing gown that allows swanning to the pool and back without feeling too exposed, or opening my door at night when I’m in my pj’s.
Jumpers: something to keep you cosy on a desert night when you’re watching the bonfire.
I like a jacket I can bung things into pockets (like lenses, extra sd cards, phone) but sometimes it’s just too hot. In Kerala it can be especially humid.
India has great shopping in the big cities but little outside these. Clothes can always be bought in the cities we visit. Jaipur is great for hand-blocked prints - Anokhi is a wonderful brand. As a rule of thumb, urban folk tend to be more relaxed about what you wear.
If I had to make a definitive list:
trousers x2
t-shirt for layering x2
long sleeved shirt or tunic top x2
bathers
sarong
nightie
pants, socks x 4 ( I wash and wear)
Birkensticks
Trainers or Trail shoes
jacket that is lightweight to keep rain/dew off
light jumper
lightweight squashy gilet or puffa for Munnar/Mountains