What to Wear in Pune

Season by season

From October to February, days are warm and dry. Evenings cool down fast, and December and January mornings can feel cold, so bring a light jacket or a shawl. March to May gets hot, with April and May afternoons close to 40 °C. Wear loose cotton or linen in light colours, plus a hat and sunglasses. The monsoon usually starts in June and lasts into September. In the city it brings showers rather than all-day storms, but a compact umbrella and quick-dry clothes will help. Leave suede and canvas shoes at home in these months.

Temples and memorials

At Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, Kasba Ganpati and Pataleshwar, cover your shoulders and knees and expect to take off your shoes. Slip-on sandals save time. The Aga Khan Palace is a memorial to Gandhi and his wife Kasturba, so dress simply and keep it respectful near the samadhis.

For Sinhagad

The fort is at about 1,300 metres, and it is windy and noticeably cooler than the city. Wear trainers or trekking shoes with a good grip. The paths and rock steps get muddy and slippery in the rains. Take a light windproof layer in winter and a rain jacket in the monsoon; umbrellas are hard to hold in the wind on the ramparts.

The nauvari and the Puneri pheta

The nauvari is a nine-yard saree draped between the legs in a dhoti style. It lets women move freely, which is why many women in the dhol-tasha groups wear it during Ganeshotsav. The Puneri pheta is a crisp turban, often saffron, worn by men at weddings, festivals and public honours. Look for both on Laxmi Road, and ask the shop to help with the drape the first time.

Everyday Pune

Pune is a student city, and jeans, kurtas and casual co-ords are normal everywhere. FC Road is good for cheap street fashion, and Koregaon Park suits a dressier evening out. In the old peths, conservative clothes draw less attention than shorts.