Hyderabad - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Dress shirt and slacks with sandals/dress shoes for men. Local dress also ok, depending on your comfort level. Women typically wore longer, looser clothes, no shoulders, not form fitting. The sari paradoxically can show a lot of midriff, but this doesn’t appear to be an issue. Having a shawl or dupatta to drape over head/shoulders was often useful for my wife. Formal dress usually not required and not hard to figure out when. For festive occasions like weddings, even non-Indians often put on Indian dress (often to the apparent delight of the Indian hosts). Weddings are colorful and a Western suit can look oddly somber. But do what you’re comfortable with. - Jan 2023
On the streets both men and women wore a mix a Western and Indian clothes. At the consulate most men wore Western clothes but women wore a mix of Indian and Western. In most areas of town I would avoid wearing shorts, tank-tops, and short skirts. You would likely be fine in most anything in the malls and upscale hotels, but those environments are heavily air-conditioned and outside you are more likely to win friends by erring on the side of dressing conservatively. - Dec 2020
Most officers at the Consulate dress in business-casual. When meeting with a contact a suit and tie is expected. - Jul 2020
"Business casual" is a fair assessment. Some men wear jackets/ties, but that's not customary in India (though not unexpected when meeting contacts, even if they are under-dressed). Indian formal wear is different from Western formal wear, and Americans can choose to buy/wear Indian wear (which is great fun!) for formal events. Formal dress is required at the national day event, but rarely outside of that. - Jul 2019
Business casual. Modest. - Jan 2019
Business and business casual. - Nov 2017
Business casual at work; conservative Indian ware out in the streets, with long sleeve shirts and long pants for men; saris and kurtas for women. Shorts are uncommon as are skirts or dresses. - Sep 2016
More conservative than Delhi/Mumbai. You will see women in full hijab and burka. Then you will see women in saris. There aren't very many people wearing Western-style clothing outside of the younger people in the malls. Best to wear the very comfortable salwar kamez or kurta and leggings if you're a lady. Men can get away with slacks and a t-shirt/button up. - Mar 2015
Business casual at work. Outside, people dress pretty conservatively. Men never wear shorts, except perhaps to the gym. Older women wear saris and the younger women wear salwar kameez. - Jan 2015
For work - business casual. For public it's quite conservative for both men and women. No shorts and flip-flops here. Women tend to wear long skirts, dresses, pants, or leggings and tops with sleeves. - Nov 2014
Not as formal as the Embassy in Delhi. Ties are relatively rare here for men. Women, in general, tend to wear longer dresses or pants to avoid the stares. Many women do not feel comfortable wearing shorts or short sleeves. - Jul 2014
At work, dress code is pretty casual. In public, it is also casual, but most women dress in pants and long sleeves to avoid stares and harassment. - Mar 2012
Conservative. Most women feel comfortable being covered from shoulders to knees. Jeans are fine for casual wear, for both men and women. You'll see a whole range of dress, from burkhas to jeans and t-shirts. Some of us women wear shorts and tank tops for running in certain parks but rarely for running on the streets. - Feb 2012
You will rarely need a suit, only collared shirts. Women should avoid skirts above the knee and spaghetti straps. - Jan 2011
