How to Look Like a Local in Nepal?
As a woman who grows up in a tropical country like the Philippines, I make sure that the clothes I wear are cool and comfortable especially in summer season. I am not a fashionista but I make sure that I wear a well-balanced wardrobe. I do have a little knowledge about the basics guidelines on what-not-to/what-to-wear. Just let’s say, a black tank top is good with khakis or cocktail skirt and denim jeans are perfectly fit with long sleeves or t-shirts.
That’s being said, the fashion statement in Nepal is far from what I used to. The clothes in Nepal are so colorful and made of bright prints and patterns. Although younger generation prefers to wear modern clothes; it’s fun to see some of them are still wearing traditional clothes in their daily life like Suruwal Kurta or when attending formal occasions and festivals. The older generations are wearing the traditional saris.
The traditional dresses in Nepal and India are somewhat identical. The women clothing are made of bright colors and patterns with matching colorful accessories. The clothing business in Nepal is flourishing especially during festive seasons like Dashain, everyone is going to the market for shopping clothes, shoes, accessories and much more.
What to Wear in Nepal?
The bizarre local market or the side vendors in Patan are selling good quality and authentic materials and I can say that those clothes are made of genuine fabric in reasonable price. If you have good bargaining skills, you can buy clothes at a cheaper price.
Bargaining is a way of life in Nepal, from clothes, kitchen utensils, hardware, and even fruits, and everything can be bargain except the items inside the mall, wherein it’s a fixed priced. Beware of overpriced product. Make sure to make a friendly bargain before you purchase an item.
Finally, as a tourist, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable assuming that you’re aware of the local custom of the country that you are visiting on. When in doubt, it’s better to research especially if you’re a first-time traveler in a new country. Nepal is a conservative country; it is more probably comfortable if you abide the culture’s norms but keeping yourself still looking stylish and feeling cool.
That’s being said, the fashion statement in Nepal is far from what I used to. The clothes in Nepal are so colorful and made of bright prints and patterns. Although younger generation prefers to wear modern clothes; it’s fun to see some of them are still wearing traditional clothes in their daily life like Suruwal Kurta or when attending formal occasions and festivals. The older generations are wearing the traditional saris.
The traditional dresses in Nepal and India are somewhat identical. The women clothing are made of bright colors and patterns with matching colorful accessories. The clothing business in Nepal is flourishing especially during festive seasons like Dashain, everyone is going to the market for shopping clothes, shoes, accessories and much more.
What to Wear in Nepal?
- Suruwal Pants (Loose and thin trousers) / Genie pants - Say no to shorts. Nepal is a conservative country and wearing shorts is a big no-no. The suruwal pants vary in colors, patterns, and designs. I do have several pairs of pants and it looks so lovely when matches with plain colored t-shirts.
Suruwal Kurta (Image by Pinterest) - Plain T-shirts/ Blouses – Though locals love to wear colorful tops, plain t-shirts are still okay. The younger generations are wearing these kinds of clothing.
Plain T-shirts (Image by Mark and Spencer) - Suruwal Kurta – is a common dress in Nepal. It’s a knee-length long shirt and a pant that varies in colorful designs, patterns, and sizes.
Suruwal Kurta (Image by Pinterest) - Leggings - This is quite versatile. They are perfect underneath a dress, pants, and long skirts. I have seen several people are wearing a pair during winter; wearing leggings will give warmth in your legs. They are very comfortable and easy to wear.
Leggings (Image by Cerebrallemon) - Long dresses - It can be the traditional sari or modern dresses, whichever you prefer, make sure you are comfortable.
Long Dress (Image by Nafdress)
Traditional Sari (Image by Paula) - Scarves- Nepalese woman has a thing for scarves. No matter what is the season, Nepali woman loves to pair there Surwal Kurtha with scarves. Aside from that scarves are a good warmer during the cold weather.
Scarves (Image by Pinterest) - Long Skirts- If you are going to wear long skirts, you’ll never out of fashion. They are good alternatives also if you don’t like to wear genie or regular pants.
Long Skirts (Image by AliExpress) - Shoes – There are modern types of clothes and the locally made shoes. The shoes are made of colorful beads and come in various designs. There are regular and modern designs you can choose from.
Kaapa Lnaka (Image by ECS)
Modern Shoes (Image by Shoes Book) - Jewelry - locals especially women loves to wear accessories, from earrings, nose piercing, necklace, bangles, rings, toe ring anklet and toe rings. In a local market, you can choose from different kinds of colorful accessories made of beads, silver, and golds.
Image by Nepal Mountain News - Jacket/Mittens/Gloves/ Bonnet – These are winter clothes essentials that you must have during the cold season wherein the temperature can drop off up to –60 degrees Celsius in the Himalayas and -9.2 degrees Celsius in Kathmandu. And if you’re trekking it is better to wear clothes that will make you warm to avoid hyperthermia.
Winter Accessories (Image by IHeartDiscount)
The bizarre local market or the side vendors in Patan are selling good quality and authentic materials and I can say that those clothes are made of genuine fabric in reasonable price. If you have good bargaining skills, you can buy clothes at a cheaper price.
Bargaining is a way of life in Nepal, from clothes, kitchen utensils, hardware, and even fruits, and everything can be bargain except the items inside the mall, wherein it’s a fixed priced. Beware of overpriced product. Make sure to make a friendly bargain before you purchase an item.
Finally, as a tourist, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable assuming that you’re aware of the local custom of the country that you are visiting on. When in doubt, it’s better to research especially if you’re a first-time traveler in a new country. Nepal is a conservative country; it is more probably comfortable if you abide the culture’s norms but keeping yourself still looking stylish and feeling cool.
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