People dress according to their wish, some dress under compulsion due to peers, friends, or relatives. Although dresses are cultural, dressing sense and trends change with time.
When we talk about dresses, we try to ape actors. When I think of this, the movie that immediately comes to my mind is ‘The Devil wears Prada.’ I have watched the movie countless times. Andy (Anne Hathaway) after graduating from college, with big dreams of becoming a reporter, gets a job at the Runway fashion magazine, as a personal assistant to Editor Miranda Priestley (Meryl Streep). Andy is least bothered about her looks and eventually turns into a fashionista. My point here is that people tend to change their looks, appearance according to their company.
What does one wear to a parent-teacher meeting - does it look good if one goes bejewelled, dolled up in flashy traditional wear or would it be better to go in sober decent clothes? Is it all right to go caked up in makeup? Conversely one cannot go in jeans and a top to a wedding, people expect (mainly) ladies to be decked up, adorned with jewellery and in a traditional garb.
Almost all ladies really enjoy shopping for matching accessories, but some find it a chore. To choose between diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds in gold or silver or just modest cosmetic jewellery, makes ladies want them all. Accessories like bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc add to the elegance of an attire.
Well organised manner
Trends in fashion often make people change their wardrobes. In the process, if the outdated clothes are not discarded, the wardrobes would be in a mess. According to Marie Kondo, (a Japanese organising consultant who became famous due her organising ideas and her books based on them), one should possess only those things which he/she truly cherishes and must be kept in a well organised manner.
Alas one does not easily throw or give away stuff. Who’s to blame for the overflowing cupboard? Women do have to keep up with the moving styles. As the trends change, one sees a change in hairstyles (clips, barrettes, hair-ties etc), dresses, footwear, bags, glasses, cosmetics. Fads are omnipresent for sure; one tends to become a black sheep if not in sync. There are of course people who are least bothered and are happy in their comfort clothes, comfort footwear and no accessories.
Take for instance the humble denim. Mostly seen worn by cowboys in the old times, now we can see every other person walking in jeans. Jeans have undergone a lot of changes since its evolution. Flared, bootcut, bell bottoms, baggy, slim, straight legs, skinny, super skinny, mom jeans and of course the ripped ones. When I see ripped jeans, I often wonder: ‘why are they torn?’ ‘Why pay money and buy them?’- Only to be ridiculed!
The definition of ‘formal’ changes in different countries and different workplaces. Some offices make high heels compulsory for ladies. High heels lead to severe back problems. Women should be allowed to wear shoes of their choice, instead of stipulating certain rules, give them a choice.
Keeping our mind strong and clear
The fashion industry is very emphatic about the dress size due to which people tend to diet unscientifically leading to life threatening problems. According to Gautama Buddha, “To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
Men do not have many options when it comes to dressing, on the other hand the innumerable combinations of dresses and accessories that ladies get to wear is inconceivable. It’s no wonder women get confused as to what to wear. Dressing up also makes people happy, maybe not all but it does make one feel good about themselves.
A simple act of taking a bath and donning crisp ironed clothes, not only makes you feel fresh, but it gives you a sense of satisfaction.
What we wear has a significant impact on how people perceive you, but they cannot be judgemental.
Anuradha Sharma is a freelancer based in Abu Dhabi
