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Indian expatriate men's fashion guide — from linen and cotton summer clothes to kurta suits and Indian wedding dress code

By ARAZIA India Desk10 min read

Indian Men's Formal Attire with Sherwani — Indian Expatriate Fashion Guide Hero Image — Indian men's formal attire complete with sherwani. This is a representative look for Indian weddings and formal events. · Muhammadahmad79 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

If you live in India, you will quickly realize how different the weight of a piece of clothing is compared to Korea. From April to June, daytime temperatures in Delhi NCR exceed 40 degrees, and with the onset of monsoon, humidity rises to 90%. On the other hand, in the early morning of December, the temperature drops to single digits with fog, making it difficult to survive with thin nitro. Here, many company offices have strong air conditioning.A combination of layering and taking off rather than wearing just one piece for the day.This is much more practical.

A more important variable is that the ‘wardrobe imported from Korea’ and the ‘dressing grammar of local society’ are different. Indian business meetings may seem casual on the outside, butA culture that places great importance on formality and courtesy.And the company's founding anniversary, Diwali party, and the Indian wedding you will be invited to will never be covered with Western-style formal attire alone.

This article is based on the trial and error of a Korean male expatriate who has actually worked in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida.Selection of summer/winter materials → Office look → Matching kurta pajamas and sherwani suit → Dress code for corporate events and Indian weddings → How to use reliable local brands and tailorsIt has been organized with a focus on actual practice.

01Materials that can withstand Indian summers — linen, cotton, and cotton-linen blends

There are many people who experienced failure while wearing the polyester and nylon shirts they brought from Korea in the early days of their tenure in India. Even at the end of March, the daytime temperature is well over 30 degrees, and in May and June it often rises to 45 degrees, and the temperature difference between indoor cooling and outdoor heat waves is close to 20 degrees,Sweat absorption and breathabilityThis becomes the absolute standard for choosing clothes. To conclude, the answer to Indian summer men's clothing isLinen, cotton, and cotton-linen blendsThere are three.

subject matter	characteristic	Recommended use
100% linen	Excellent breathability and hygroscopicity, cool to the touch after drying. However, it is wrinkled so much that it is a burden for formal meetings.	Weekend casual, resort look, golf course wear
Cotton linen blend (55/45 or 60/40)	Adds the neat feel of cotton to the coolness of linen. If you iron it, it's no problem in the office.	Business casual, meeting shirt and pants
Pure cotton oxford/poplin	Stable silhouette and easy management. White and light blue are the most versatile	Suit shirt, tie for meetings
Seersucker	The surface is slightly lumpy and does not stick to the skin. Favorable during monsoon season with high humidity	Summer jacket and pants set-up
Tropical wool (lightweight wool)	When you need a suit in an office with strong air conditioning. Recommended fabrics under super 100 for summer	Official meetings, visits to government offices

Colors are bright, silhouettes are a bit relaxed.

Black and dark blue absorb heat well.White, ivory, light gray, stone beige, sage greenThis makes it much more comfortable for daytime activities.
Indian cuts tend to have somewhat loose shoulders and sleeves.Two loose-fitting cotton shirts are better than one slim fit poly shirt.This is much more useful.
Underwear is also a must100% cottonReplace with . If you leave your poly-blend underwear on, it's common to suffer from heat rash and contact dermatitis in the summer.

For reference, the related background isChecklist for your first 30 days in IndiaAs summarized in , thinking of the first three months as a 'summer wardrobe reset' and organizing a new one locally will ultimately cost less.

02Office look – A combination of cooling, dust, and movement at the same time

Offices in Delhi NCR are often environments with strong air conditioning and strong outdoor temperatures. In addition, air pollution (PM2.5) is especially severe in winter, and since we are covered in road dust and exhaust fumes while moving, office look is a must.Layering, convenience of washing, dust resistanceAll three must be considered simultaneously.

Practical combination of office looks for all seasons

March~October (heat, monsoon): Cotton linen blend shirt + chino pants + brown loafers. thin for the officenavy blazerIf you hang one set at all times, it will cope with both air conditioning and sudden meetings.
November to February (dry season, chilly mornings and evenings): Oxford shirt + thin merino wool sweater + wool trousers. Take off your sweater during the day, early in the morning or after working overtime.Light trench or quilted vestThe method of wearing is practical.
Official meetings and visits to government offices: Tropical wool navy suit + white poplin shirt + subtle striped tie. hereblack oxford dress shoesIt is a good idea to prepare at least one pair.

Air quality and clothing management

During Delhi winters, it is common for the Air Quality Index (AQI) to exceed 300.dark colored jacketSilver fine dust is less noticeable, but actually sticks better. It is better to refrain from using materials that are difficult to maintain, such as silk and cashmere, in winter.
Dry cleaning costs are cheaper than in Korea, butThere is a large difference in quality. Chains (Tumbledry, Pressto, etc.) located in 5-star hotels or large malls in the city are relatively stable.
Shoe polishing services are often located on the first floor of office buildings or in underground parking lots. It is cheap, costing 100 to 200 rupees per time, so make it a habit to maintain it once a week.

For those who find it cumbersome to iron their shirts every dayUrban CompanyYou can book a home ironing service through the same home service app. Fees and available areas areCheck in the official appIt is correct to do so.

Traditional Indian men's kurta front and sandalwood buttons — Indian men's suit materials and details — Traditional kurta featuring chikan embroidery and sandalwood buttons. The more formal the occasion, the more vivid the embroidery and button details are. · Fowler&fowler (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

03Kurta Pajamas — A ‘two-piece set’ that expatriate men must have

One of the first clothes a male expatriate posted to India must prepare isKurta-Pyjamano see. Company founding anniversary, Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi parties, team dinner invitations, and even Indian weddings — there will inevitably come a time when Western-style formal or casual wear will never look out of place. Common advice from local expatriates is that ‘you need at least two pieces to be able to rotate.’

Understanding basic configuration

composition	explanation
Kurta	A long top that reaches above the knees. Mandarin collar (standing collar) as standard, front button fastened
Pajama / Churidar	Pajamas are loose-fitting pants, and churidars are close-fitting pants that gather at the ankles.
Nehru Jacket / Bandi	A short vest-type jacket worn over a kurta. A must-have item that takes your class to the next level.
Mojari / Jutti	Traditional Indian leather slip-ons that match the kurta. Can be replaced with brown loafers for casual occasions

Tips for organizing a ‘two-piece set’ for expatriates

1st bulcha — the most versatile plain cotton kurta: One of white, ivory, light beige. It can be used for everything from company casual Fridays, team dinners, and even Holi parties.
2nd set — Formal silk/jacquard kurta + Nehru jacket: Deep colors like deep navy, burgundy, and deep green. We can accommodate Indian wedding dinner receptions or Diwali formal events.
The size isChest circumference 42 inches is based on Korean size 100.It is similar to , but there is a large error depending on the brand. Be sure to try it on at the store and check the shoulder line and sleeve length.
The pants arepajamas rather than churidarIt is comfortable for beginners. I am concerned about the creases at the ankles of the churidar, and it is cumbersome to put on and take off my shoes.

Match rules — three points that differ from the Western sense

The jacket must be a darker color than the kurta.Grab it. If you go the other way, it looks cluttered.
A scarf (dupatta) is worn in formal settings for men.Wearing it naturally on your shoulderThis is basic. Wrapping it around the neck creates a feminine style.
Accessories such as watches and braceletsSilver/brown leather rather than gold toneThis is okay. The more colorful the kurta is with embroidery, the more restrained the accessories are.

Men's Kurta Store in Dilli Hot Market, Delhi — Buy Traditional Indian Men's Clothing — Kurta store in Dilli Haat market, Delhi. You can choose from a variety of fabrics, from plain cotton to embroidery and jacquard fabrics. · Pallav.journo (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

04Indian Wedding Dress Code - Practical Manual for Day, Evening, and Banquet

Indian weddings can be as short as two days or as long asMultiple sessions over a weekThis goes on. Each session has a different dress code, and each session invitation usually has a 'color code' on it. If you wear something wrong here, it will be in the photo and talked about for a long time, so if you receive an invitation,Specify session, time, and colorBe sure to check three things:

Main sessions and men’s dress code

session	slot	Recommended attire
Mehendi	afternoon	Light colored cotton kurta + pajamas. Festive atmosphere: yellow, mint, light orange, etc.
Haldi	afternoon	A place where turmeric powder is splashing everywhere.It's not a waste to throw it awayYellow and white kurta
Sangeet	dinner	Embroidered kurta + Nehru jacket, or Indo-Western fusion jacket. Avoid fabrics that are too heavy because you will be dancing.
Wedding Ceremony	evening/night	Silk kurta + embroidered sherwani or bandhgala suit
Reception	nighttime	Formality equivalent to black tie. Dark-colored sherwani or authentic Western-style tuxedo/dark suit

Colors and Manners to Avoid

Pure white and pure black are inappropriate for weddings.do. This is because in Indian culture, both colors are associated with mourning. Replace with ivory, cream, dark blue, or dark green.
Red and purple (maroon) are traditionally the bridal colors. malepure red sherwaniIt is safer to avoid wearing attire except for the groom.
Wedding favors are Indian style, not envelopes.‘Shagun envelope’Put it in. The amount is not in units of 100 or 500 rupees.Odd numbers ending with 1There is a custom to set it as (e.g. 2,100 / 5,100 / 11,000+1). Be sure to ask your Indian colleagues at your company for the exact amount.
There are sessions where you need to take off your shoes (on the stage at a ceremony, in a religious space), so it is easy to take them off.mojali loaferis advantageous.

Buy or rent sherwani

The price of one sherwani is15,000 to 100,000 rupees (approximately 240,000 to 1.6 million won)It is wide. If you don't attend weddings oftenManyavar, Mohey, Shaadi CircleAnother option is to use a rental service from the same brand. If the guest is not a family member of the bride or groomSherwani rental under 30,000 rupeesIt can also be formal enough.

Indian groom wearing Rajput style sherwani — Indian wedding men's dress code — Rajput style sherwani. It is a typical male formal attire for Indian wedding evening sessions and receptions. · User:Pk041 (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)

05Company Events — Diwali, Foundation Day, Team Outing Attire

The Indian corporation holds in-house events several times a year. Looking at the big pictureDiwali party, Holi festival, Foundation Day, team offsite, year-end galaIt is summarized to that extent. Knowing the nuances of each event's dress code in advance will allow you to respond with greater ease when you receive an invitation.

Practical attire for each event

Diwali Party (October-November): India's biggest holiday.Silk kurta + Nehru jacketThis is the correct answer. If it's a 'sweet meeting' (sharing candy and snacks) held in the office during the day, a cotton kurta will suffice, but if it's an evening company gala, take it to the next level.
Holly (March): Colored powder and water gun festival. Never wear your favorite clothes.White old cotton kurta + old slippersis rather the correct answer. Since it stains well, a tip is to apply coconut oil to your skin beforehand.
Foundation Day: usuallybusiness casual. A cotton linen shirt, chino pants and loafers will suffice. Since photos are taken frequently, be careful of contamination of white/white-colored shirts.
Team offsite (resort, golf): During the dayPolo shirt + shorts or linen pants. Dinner nights are usually 'smart casual' so it's safe to pack a light jacket.
Year-end Gala/MD Dinner: Dark suit or Bandhgala jacket + white shirt. A plain silk tie is fine.

Photos and business cards — two things as important as your attire

Corporate events in India are very photogenic. And that picturePosted directly on company SNS and newsletterIt works. Stuff a bunch of pens in your shirt's chest pocket, or organize your employee ID card strap in advance so it doesn't go over your tie. The business card wallet isSomething neat and made of leatherWhen handing out a business card, prepareboth handsThe habit of giving leaves a good impression in India as well.

Formal attire of Indian wedding guests and groom's men — Indian wedding guest attire for men. A dark sherwani and an embroidered kurta go together naturally. · Benipal hardarshan (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)

06Where to Buy — Local Brands, Tailors, and Online

Men's clothing shopping in India is largelyLarge traditional clothing brands, lifestyle brands, custom tailoring (Taylor), online platformsIt is divided into four axes: For expatriate men, the most effective combination is establishing the basics with a brand and leaving one or two pieces for formal occasions to a tailor.

Formal traditional clothing — for weddings and Diwali

Manyavar / Mohey (Manyavar Group)— A leading men’s formal brand with stores across India. We have a wide line of sherwanis, kurtas, and bandhgalas and also offer rental services. It is easily accessible as it has stores in major malls in Delhi NCR (Ambience, Select CITYWALK, DLF Cyber Hub, etc.).
Manyavar Sister brand Twamev— Premium line for wedding grooms. It may be a bit excessive for wedding guests, so choose according to the size of the session.
Sabyasachi / Raghavendra Rathore— High-end designer line. Although the price range is very high, it is worth considering if you are invited to a VIP wedding or company launch event.

Business casual/daily wear

FabIndia(Fab India)— Ideal for casual kurtas and shirts made of cotton and linen fabric. The price is reasonable and the color and pattern are stable.The brand that expatriate men visit firstIt goes through.
Anokhi— Casual with Jaipur block print sensibility. Popular as summer shirts and loungewear.
Van Heusen / Louis Philippe / Arrow (Madra Group)— One of the top three local suit brands in India. Tropical wool suits, oxford shirts, and chino pants are available in a wide range of sizes, and each mall has a convenient store.
Zara / H&M / Uniqlo— Stored in major malls in Delhi NCR. It is most similar to the Korean sizing sense and seasonal item rotation is fast.

Use a custom tailor

In Gurgaon and Delhi SouthVaish at Rivoli, Study by Janak, Mohanlal SonsWe have the same old custom suit/sherwani tailor. It takes 2-4 weeks to fit a suit, so make your reservation as soon as you receive your wedding invitation.
For everyday shirts, local tailors in the market are also sufficient. Just pick a good fabric and bring it with you.Cost about 800 to 1,500 rupees per suit.You can adjust it to .
When measuring the size, be sure toChest, shoulders, sleeves, waist, hips, inseam, outseamPlease leave a record. This saves a lot of time when returning or re-ordering.

online platform

Myntra/Ajio/Flipkart— India’s leading comprehensive fashion platform. Manyavar·FabIndia·Van Heusen are all available, so color and size comparison is easy.
Nykaa Man— The focus is on men’s beauty and grooming, but the shirt and innerwear line is also expanding.
Tata CLiQ Luxury— Authenticity verification channel for high-end designer brands such as Sabyasachi.

Daily grocery shopping and delivery infrastructureKorean food ingredients shopping guideSimilar to what was introduced inMyntra next day delivery, Ajio regular saleThis can save you a lot of time.

Indian men's kurtas in various colors — local Indian brands such as Manyavar·FabIndia — Men's kurtas in various colors. FabIndia·Manyavar You can compare the entire lineup at once at the store. · Sdivya04 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

07Grooming and finishing — skin, hair, and fragrance tailored to Indian summer

Grooming is as important as clothing. Because India's conditions are very different from Korea, including strong ultraviolet rays, air pollution, and water hardness.Summer skincare, hair care, perfume toneIt is better to think of it as a new setting at the beginning of one’s tenure.

Skin/UV rays

The UV index in summer in Delhi NCR often reaches up to 11 (Extreme).SPF 50+ PA++++ or higherApply daily sunscreen to your face, neck, and back of your hands every morning.
Better than cream in seasons with a lot of sweat.Gel type/Fluid typeSunscreen is beneficial. Among local brands in India, Minimalist, The Derma Co., and Re'equil are often considered to be good value for money.
Deli in winter is ratherThe atmosphere is very dry and pollutedThis is severe. After returning home in the eveningdouble cleanseMake it a habit and replenish moisture with hyaluronic acid serum.

hair and scalp

Delhi and Gurgaon tap waterhard waterThe stiffness is severe after shampooing. Installing a shower filter (e.g. Kent, Aquaguard series) is the fundamental solution.
Men's haircuts vary widely between five-star hotel salons (approximately 1,500 to 3,000 rupees) and local salons (200 to 500 rupees). The first few timesJean-Claude Biguine, Toni&GuyWe recommend checking with similar chain salons to get a feel for them.
Indian barbershop unique‘Head Massage (Champion)’is worth experiencing at least once. However, outdoor haircut stalls are not recommended for hygiene reasons.

Perfume and Deodorant

Indian offices and meeting places are sensitive to scents.Citrus/aqua rather than dark woody/muskIt's okay this summer.
Deodorant is essential. Nivea, Fogg, and Wild Stone are common locally, and if you have a brand you used in Korea, bring it in advance.
In Indian cultureWhen ‘too strong a scent’ is viewed as being against etiquetteThere is. It is safe to spray a thin layer of perfume right before a company event or meeting.

Useful tips

For summer shirts, start with a cotton-linen 55/45 blend.

100% linen is cool, but wrinkles badly, making it a burden for the office. Cotton-linen 55/45 blend has both the coolness of linen and the neatness of cotton, and can be worn in meetings without any problems even after ironing. Even if you have just the three colors of white, light blue, and stone beige, you can comfortably last two or three months in the summer.

Kurta pajamas are based on the ‘two-piece set’ principle.

1 plain cotton kurta (for office casual, Holi, etc.) and 1 silk/jacquard kurta + 1 Nehru jacket (for Diwali, wedding evening) — this combination is enough to cover most Indian events in the first year of your post.

Renting a wedding sherwani is also a great option.

Manyavar·Mohey·Shaadi Circle, etc. operate rental services. If you don't attend often, you can rent it for less than 30,000 rupees to provide a formal wedding ceremony, and the store will also adjust the size immediately.

Always wear a thin navy blazer in an office with strong air conditioning.

Many Indian offices have strong air conditioning even in summer. Keeping a tropical wool or cotton jacket hanging in your office at all times will help keep your office cool and ready for sudden external meetings.

In Delhi, where winter air pollution is severe, do your laundry carefully

Delhi's winter AQI is often over 300. Avoid using difficult-to-maintain materials such as silk and cashmere in the winter, and it is safer to first use chain laundry shops (Tumbledry, Pressto, etc.) in large malls or 5-star hotels.

Common pitfalls and how to solve them

I wear the same polyester shirts and underwear that I used in Korea, and suffer from heat rash and contact dermatitis in the summer.

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Replace your outerwear with cotton, linen, or cotton-linen blends, and be sure to replace your underwear with 100% cotton. In an Indian summer environment of 45 degrees and 90% humidity, poly blends have little ventilation.

It would be awkward to wear pure white or black to an Indian wedding.

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In Indian culture, both colors are associated with mourning. Replace with ivory, cream, dark blue, or dark green. It is polite to put the gift envelope in a shagun envelope instead of an envelope, and follow the custom of odd numbers ending with 1 for the amount (ask your Indian colleague for the exact amount).

If you miss the session, time, and color codes on your wedding invitation, you will end up in trouble trying to cover all sessions with one set.

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The rule is to change each session to a casual bright colored kurta for mehendi and haldi during the day, and a formal evening sherwani or bandhgala for sangeet and wedding. Daytime sessions often require you to take off your shoes, so prepare loafers and mojali first.

The Nehru jacket worn over the kurta looks cluttered as it is a lighter color than the kurta.

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The jacket must be a darker color than the kurta, and accessories are limited to silver and brown leather. There is almost no failure as long as you follow the principle of matching a plain jacket with a colorful embroidered kurta and an embroidered jacket with a plain kurta.

Deli hard water causes stiff hair and scalp problems, but the cause is unknown.

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Installing a shower filter (Kent/Aquaguard series) will immediately improve your condition. When it comes to cutting, it is less likely to fail if you get a feel for the first few cuts at a chain salon like Jean-Claude Biguine or Toni&Guy and then build up a regular following.

Latest updates

Manyavar·FabIndia, expanded sherwani rental during peak wedding seasonManyavar and its sister brands are strengthening their sherwani and bandhgala rental lines to meet the demand for attending weddings in India. Size adjustment and same-day pickup are available at major mall stores in Delhi NCR, making it more accessible to expatriate guests.
Demand for ‘practical outdoor’ materials increases due to worsening AQI in Delhi’s winter seasonAs winter air pollution continues, demand for poly-cotton blend jackets and scarves is increasing because stains are less noticeable and are easier to wash. There is a trend to refrain from wearing materials that are difficult to maintain, such as silk and cashmere, in winter.

FAQ

What clothes should a male expatriate stationed in India prepare first?

First, pack 3 to 5 cotton linen 55/45 blend shirts (white, light blue, stone beige), 1 tropical wool navy suit, 1 thin navy blazer, brown loafers and black oxford dress shoes. If you try on and buy kurta pajamas in person at a local FabIndia·Manyavar after taking office, you are less likely to fail in size and color.

What should I wear to an Indian wedding?

It depends on the session. For mehendi and haldi during the day, a bright colored cotton kurta + pajamas are standard, and for the evening sangeet and main ceremony, a silk kurta + Nehru jacket or sherwani is standard. The reception requires formality such as dark sherwanis or a classic dark suit. Avoid pure white, pure black, and pure red, which is the bride's color.

Is the Indian office a formal or casual culture?

Smart casual wear (shirts, chinos, loafers) is the norm for global and IT companies, but the formal dress culture is still strong when visiting government offices or meeting executives of large Indian companies. For safety, one tropical wool navy suit, white and light blue oxford shirt, and black oxford dress shoes must be prepared at all times.

Where is the best place to buy kurta pajamas?

Representative examples include FabIndia·Anokhi for everyday cotton kurtas and Manyavar·Mohey for formal silk kurtas and sherwanis. Most stores are located in major malls in Delhi NCR (Ambience, Select CITYWALK, DLF Cyber Hub, South Point Mall, etc.), and the same brand can also be purchased online at Myntra, Ajio, Flipkart, etc.

How hot are Indian summers and which materials are advantageous?

Delhi NCR The daytime temperature ranges from 40 to 45 degrees from April to June, and the humidity rises to 80 to 90% during the monsoon season from June to September. It is most practical to combine 100% linen for casual wear, cotton-linen blend (55/45 or 60/40) for business casual wear, and pure cotton oxford/poplin for formal shirts. Bright tones such as white, ivory, light gray, and stone beige are advantageous.

References & links

Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy)KOTRA Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency Indian Government Official Portal Official site of Tourism Board of India Central Pollution Control Board of India (Air Quality Information CPCB)