Post written on February 25th
"Your shoulders should be covered. :) The part of your body, one considers to be shoulders - from the neck to the upper arm (near your elbow), should be covered with clothing. If you want to see what women in Bangladesh wear, it's called a salwar kameez. If you search google image for "salwar kameez Bangladesh" it will give you some idea. The pictures are to model the outfit, but in practice, women wear a scarf draped in front of their chest. All women wear either this for everyday, or a sari for formal occasions. Clearly you aren't expected to dress like this, but cover your shoulders (see above) and long pants. And by long pants, I mean pants down to your ankles. You're trying to show as little skin as possible and loose-fitting to hide the shape of your body. Remember, this used to be part of Pakistan, (they're very conservative when it comes to women). You can wear slippers or whatever footwear you have. We probably won't see many temples in Bangladesh, so head cover is not necessary. You can use a scarf to cover your head though; it also works for the sun and as a mask. A thin scarf is very useful. If you don't have one, I can get one easily."I googled salwar kameez as he suggested and saw this. Aren't they pretty? I wish I were still teaching on the mainland and could wear something like this to school. Unfortunately, I'd have no place to wear something like this in Hawaii.
On the plus side, I have a bunch of scarves in my drawers. The hard part is choosing which one to bring.
OK... now which shoes?
they are beautiful, I would wear it at home or out, they are lovely!!!!You would look lovely in this Kay, comfy and cool!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThose dresses ARE pretty! I particularly like the ones that are loose-fitting from top to bottom. They'd cover a multitude of overeating sins :-)
ReplyDeleteThough pretty, they seem a bit too hot and sticky to be really comfortable in some heat.
ReplyDeleteDrumMajor
I know they said the thin cotton would be cool in the hot weather, but no, I was still very HOT!
DeleteThat was my thought, too -- hot! Did you buy one? I think it would look lovely for many occasions.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I did buy one and had fun wearing it.
DeleteGood on ya, Kay! Hope you will show us a picture.
Deleteyou'd look great in one of the salwar kameez above. they're very nice. and i'm sure you'll find a scarf you like best for the trip. good luck with your shoes. have a great time~
ReplyDeleteIt is good that you got such knowledgeable advice. These dresses are very pretty but they seem pretty fancy for everyday wear.
ReplyDeleteThis is our dress too..In India you will find no restrictions for dressing of women..you can wear whatever you want to..but salwar kameez and sarees are our traditional dresses..did you buy one Kay?..you will look lovely in one..cotton loose fit salwar kameezes are very comfortable in the summer..
ReplyDeleteI did buy a salwar kameez, but I was so hot and sweaty that I bought one that was a bit too big. Keola laughed when he saw me in it and said I'd still be sticking out. It was funny to have my son trying to dress me appropriately and fussing with my orna (shawl).
DeleteOne thing about scarves is they don't take up much room in one's luggage. Looking forward to photos of you dressed for Bangladesh.
ReplyDeleteK
I brought two scarves, but they were not the correct type. The orna (shawl) is much longer and draped over the front to hang from the back. It's used to hide the shape of the body. Never did get the hang of it.
DeleteWhat was the reason your shoulders should be covered? Was it for protection for was it a requirement by law?
ReplyDeleteWhen they say shoulders, they mean down to the elbows. Bangladesh is a Muslim country with strict rules about dress. Keola felt I should abide by their customs. Still, I was stared at everywhere I went.
DeleteHere, some Indian women wear that too but usually they wear modern dresses or t-shirts and jeans. What did you wear in the end?
ReplyDeleteI wore long pants and short sleeved blouses when we were on a boat floating through the Sundarbans. On the first day in Bangladesh I wore long pants and LONG sleeve shirt with a scarf. Keola thought I stuck out too much so we went and bought the appropriate kameez and orna (shawl). I still stuck out. It must have been my travel pants and sneakers. Keola says it was also my short haircut, a style worn only by little girls.
DeleteI hope you will post a photo. Looking forward to seeing you in your kameez. I have never worn one before.
Deletethey are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh DO wear such in Hawaii! Buy you lunch if you do!
ReplyDeleteAloha, you folks
Actually, what I ended up getting was nothing like these outfits. In fact, these are too elaborate to be wearing in the streets from what I saw.
DeleteKeola's modesty dressing instructions will be good for the Muslim and the ultra orthodox Jewish parts of Jerusalem too.
ReplyDeleteKay, they are beautiful and very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty dresses. I have noticed that Indian women will not show upper arms or legs but will allow a little bare midriff to peek through. By the way and off topic: Did you realize that Heloise started her household hints column in the Honolulu Advertiser in 1959? Is that how you became interested in the topic?
ReplyDeleteActually, no. I got interested in the topic when I received forwarded helpful hints from my friends, Myrtle and Jean.
DeleteIt is good to check out local customs before hand so you don't offend. How nice you could pass as a relatively tall, "little girl" with short hair.
ReplyDeleteThey are very pretty and fitting into a different culture and knowing their dress code is always a wise thing, and shows respect for the country you are traveling in. Good for you Kay.
ReplyDeleteYou were wise to check on appropriate clothing. It is important not to offend. But is is also pretty hard to blend in when the cultures are so different. I see nothing wrong with looking like a visitor.
ReplyDeletetoo many choices....lol!
ReplyDelete