What to Wear in Goa in October? If you are planning to visit Goa during October, I am sure you have pondered over this question. After all who doesn’t want those great Instagram pictures?
While November to February is Goa’s busiest time, October is the time when you will find relatively quieter beaches and lesser crowds. Weather-wise, October in Goa experiences what is known as ‘October heat.’ Therefore, you need to choose your outfit considering the weather and comfort levels without compromising on the looks.
I love Goa and I visit the place quite often. My simple rule when it comes to dressing up in Goa is – Stay stylishly comfortable. In the current blog, I will elaborate on how to dress up in Goa in October for both men and women.
October in Goa can be hot and humid. Therefore, you need to dress up accordingly. Make sure you are comfortable, protected and stylish. For those who are comfortable, swimsuits are the best option for beaches, especially if you are up for a swim.
What to Wear in Goa in October?
According to me, October is one of the best times to visit Goa. The rainy season just ended and the peak season is all set to start. You will find lesser crowds around the beaches and accommodations in Goa that are suited to your budget. If you enjoy quieter holidays, you can visit Goa in October.
The weather is decent. Early October may experience the ‘October Heat’ phenomenon where the day temperatures rise a bit. However, evenings are generally pleasant. It might rain a little but it isn’t as bad as the monsoons.
| Weather Conditions in Goa in October
Mostly pleasant with slight chances of rain in early October Average Day Temperature- 28 degrees Celsius Average Day Temperature- 24 degrees Celsius |
| Must Carry Items for Women
Dresses Swimwear Cotton Shorts Full-length pants/ palazzo Tops Flip flops/ Crocs Scarf Shrug |
| Must Carry Items for Men
Swimming shorts/ trunks Shorts/ Bermudas Cotton Shirts T-Shirts Light Zipper |
What to Wear in Goa in October – Outfit Ideas
We all want some beautiful pictures from our Goa vacation. However, this should not come at the cost of comfort. There are four things that you need to consider before deciding on what to wear in Goa in October – comfort, location, style and weather.
Based on these factors, I have given below some of my recommendations:
What to wear on Goa Beaches in October?
Goa has many beautiful beaches. If you are going to Goa, there is probably more than one beach on your list. Here are some of the best outfits that you can wear in Goa:
For Women:
Dresses– Pack a few dresses, depending on the length of your Goa trip. My absolute favourite are sundresses, maxi dresses and boho dresses, especially those in cotton. While sundresses are great for the beaches and cafes, Maxi dresses can be worn anywhere- beaches, clubs and exploring around town.
Shorts – Nothing can get more comfortable than shorts in hot weather. Not only do they provide you with the ease of movement, they also look incredibly chic. Pair them with a loose T-shirt, crop top, spaghetti top or tank top. Cotton shorts are the best.
T-Shirts and Tank Tops – Carry some loose T-shirts (boyfriend T-shirts are my favourite!) and Tank tops to go with the shorts. Choose lighter shades over dark as they look perfect against the sea. Again, prefer cotton over synthetic fibre.
Swim Wear – Goa is very pleasant in October. If you plan to take a dip in the ocean, carry along your favourite swimsuit, be it a two-piece or one piece. If you are uncomfortable with bikinis, you can go in for these really cool tankinis or just some good old shorts and a tank top. For swimming, choose polyester or nylon blended material shorts and top. They dry quickly and don’t stick to the skin.
Tip: Keep those Bikinis strictly to the beaches. Wearing revealing clothes elsewhere will only invite unwanted attention.
Sarong/ Cover up Dress – Sarong and cover up dresses are the perfect attire that you can wear on the beaches in October. Wear them over your swim suits and you are good to chill on the beach. My favourite are the tasseled cover up dresses. They are light, airy, comfortable and look really nice.
Tip: Instead of carrying them you could also buy really cool ones at the flea markets.
Shrug – I always make it a point to carry shrugs whenever I travel. They are comfortable and come handy when you need to cover up for some reason – religious, weather or otherwise. Early October is warm but end October can get slightly chilly at night. Therefore, I would suggest you carry a light shrug just in case.
Scarf – Carry a scarf or just buy it at the beach markets. It looks nice and also protects you from the sun.
Cover up dresses like these are the best for the hot and humid weather of Goa in October. They are light, airy and comfortable.
For Men:
Bermuda shorts – Guys look great in Bermuda shorts. Top them with a tank top, shirt or t shirt. Light coloured Bermuda shorts look the best around beaches. Colourful printed shorts look really cool too.
Shirt – On the beaches, loose printed shirts look the best with plain bermuda shorts. Avoid wearing any synthetic fabrics, cotton is your best friend.
T-shirts & Tank Tops – Pack a few T-shirts and tank tops. Again, cotton is the best for humid and hot weather.
Light Zipper – If you are visiting at the end of October, carry a light zipper. You might need it in the evenings.
Swimming Trunks/ Shorts – If you plan to get into the water make sure you carry your swimming trunks or shorts. These are usually made up of nylon or polyester and therefore dry up quickly.
Carry along some decent (not necessarily expensive) swimming trunks or swim shorts if you plan to go swimming on in Goa.
What to wear when exploring Goa in October- For Men & Women
There is more to Goa than just beaches. There are churches, forts and temples, and many small and beautiful villages that you can explore. While Goa is a liberal state, some places may require you to cover up a little. People in some lesser-known places in Goa can be slightly conservative when it comes to clothing.
Make sure you don’t wear revealing outfit or beachwear when out on the streets. That might attract some unwanted attention.
Palazzo – I love Palazzos. I wear them everywhere – at work or on vacation. Palazzos are a great outfit when you go out exploring other parts of Goa. They are comfortable, stylish and can be worn with t-shirts, tops and tank tops.
Loose Pants – If palazzos are not your thing, get some loose cotton pants. Pick the style that suits you the best. This holds for both men and women.
Shorts – Decent length cotton shorts paired with T-shirts are a great choice for women. Men can choose this option too.
Dresses – Unless you are going hiking or plan to indulge in some adventure sports, you can wear dresses in Goa. Just make sure that they are not too revealing or inappropriate. For example, a cover-up dress is a terrible idea outside beaches.No one wants ogling and judgemental looks from absolute strangers.
What to Wear in Goa in October – Footwear
You need to wear the right kind of footwear when you visit Goa. Here is what you need to pack for Goa when it comes to footwear:
For Women
Flip flops – Flip Flops are a must-have for beaches. Wearing shoes on the beach is not a good idea. Trust me, walking in sand-filled shoes is annoying. That is not even the toughest part. Getting the sand out is the hardest!
Sneakers – If you plan to spend your time in places other than beaches, I would suggest you wear some sneakers or some comfortable footwear. If you are the person who likes to go for nature trails, sneakers are a must.
For Men
Flip Flops – Carry flip flops for the beach. You can also carry some open sandals.
Sneakers – If you plan to explore more than beaches, I would suggest you wear some sneakers or some comfortable footwear. Flip flops and sandals can get tiring when you plan to walk a lot.
What to wear in Goa in October- Essentials and Accessories
Other than the basic outfit, there are certain other things that you need for your beach vacation in Goa. While some of these are optional, others are absolutely must haves.
Must Have Things in Goa in October
Sunglasses – Sunglasses are a must have for Goa. Invest in a pair of good sunglasses. They needn’t be super expensive, they just need to do the job well. Choose a pair of sunglasses that are bigger, comfortable and offer 100% UV protection (both UVA and UVB). I found these pretty good sunglasses online. They look stylish, are UV protected and pretty much in budget.
Bag – Carry a bag for all your day to day travel needs. The bag should be big enough to carry your essentials like sunscreen, lip balm, water bottle, mobile phone, etc. Tote bags are a great choice. For guys, I would suggest messenger bags.
Sunscreen Lotion – Sunscreen Lotion is a must have. Apply a good sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 50. Also, make sure you reapply me every few hours. Wash your face or simply wipe off with a wet tissue and reapply the sunscreen.
Sun Hat – Hats are really helpful in protecting against the harsh sun. You can get one of the straw hats at the beach itself. Make sure they have a broad brim to protect you from
Lip Balm – Choose a UV lip balm to keep your lips hydrated and protected from the sun. I have tried a lot of lip balms, but I like the SPF 15 Nivea lip balms the best, they are lightly tinted with a mild fragrance. You can try them too. Men can opt for untinted lip balms.
If you wish o spend a day at a beach in Goa, these are some must-haves. A broad-rimmed hat, sunglasses, slippers and sunscreen.
Accessories you can wear in Goa in October
Funky Jewelry
Pair up your attire with some funky jewellery like pendants, anklets, bracelets, etc. You always have the option of buying some boho and funky jewellery In Goa itself.
Goa Dressing Tips for October
Apart from the above recommendations, there are certain other dressing tips for Goa in October that you need to be aware of. These tips are:
| Go Natural
When in Goa, wear only natural fabrics like Jute, Cotton, Linen, Silk etc. They are comfortable in the hot and humid weather of Goa in October. These will allow your skin to breathe. |
| Ditch the makeup
Ladies, you don’t want your makeup to smudge in that sweaty weather. Wear sunscreen and your moisturizer. That and a hat is all you need. |
| Sunscreen is a must
The sun can be very harsh in Goa, make sure you carry a good sunscreen with a high SPF. Also, make sure you reapply it after every few hours. |
| Denims are a big no-no
Jeans might sound comfortable but they aren’t really a good choice for Goa. The humidity will make you sweat underneath your favourite jeans. |
| Say NO to leather
Wearing leather in humid weather is a really bad idea. Be it leather jackets, shorts or skirts, there is no place for those in Goa. |
| Innerwear is not Swimwear
If you do plan to go swimming, buy proper swimwear. Wearing innerwear on the beaches is cringeworthy. The swimwear need not be too fancy or expensive. Depending on your budget and what you are comfortable with, you can choose from several options. This goes for men as well as women. |
| Heels, Really?
Ladies unpack those heels. You don’t need them here. Even if you plan to go to a club for parties, no one expects you to be in stilettos. |
I hope this blog helped you in packing your bags for Goa and also gave you some interesting outfit ideas. If you have any more questions, or you have some tips to share, do share them with me in the comments section. I will be happy to hear.
Happy Wayfaring 🙂
