What to wear: dressing for India's dancefloors

What you wear can make or break your night — too formal and you're uncomfortable, too casual and you're turned away at a premium club. Here's how to dress for each kind of Indian party.

Metros' upscale clubs enforce dress codes. For men that usually means no shorts, no flip-flops, closed shoes and a collared or smart shirt; for women, smart-casual to dressy. When in doubt, lean sharper.

The underground is the opposite — dress down, dress dark, dress for dancing. Comfort and movement over glamour. Nobody's judging your outfit; they're there for the music. Breathable fabrics and shoes you can move in all night are the priority.

Swimwear plus a cover-up, and something you don't mind getting wet. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Bring a change of clothes and flip-flops for after.

Practicality wins: comfortable shoes you can stand in for hours, layers for temperature swings, and as little to carry as possible. Desert and hill festivals get cold at night — pack accordingly.

Match the venue. A five-star NYE and a warehouse techno night are different worlds — dress for the one you're actually attending.