Desi Or Western: Why Should My Taste In Clothing Define My Modernity?
niharika nayakBA (Media & Communication) Experience: 4 yearsNiharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... more
“Don’t wear that skirt. It’s too short!”
“Stop wearing kurtis over your jeans and wear a t-shirt instead!”
Every girl can probably relate to the comments stated above or something else of that variety. We live in a country that while on the cusp of modernity, is entrapped in some unnecessary traditional manners. Whether you are someone who is comfortable in desi clothing or only comfortable in jeans and a top, it shouldn’t matter to others. Clothes are a personal choice and should never be imposed on others. Moreover, the modernity of a woman is not defined by the style of clothing she chooses to wear. Even a woman as modern as Sudha Murthy likes to wear simple sarees and clothing. Here’s why you should shut down people who judge you by your cover.
It’s An Outdated Concept
Sure, our mums most probably lived their lives in sarees and kurtis, but the incredible thing about living in 2020 is getting the opportunity to dress as per your choice. Some women might love to wear sequin mini skirts and other women might love wearing elaborately embroidered kurtas. But in the end, it’s all about comfort levels. There are also many out there who think a woman in a short skirt might be more “free” and “easy going” than someone in a kurti, but that theory is entirely false. There are many women out there who have to wear kurtis for their jobs and there are others who might need to wear a formal skirt and top for theirs.
You’re More Than A Label
You do not need someone to define your personality through your taste in clothes. Just because you plait your hair and wear a saree doesn’t mean you can’t rock out to alternative music in your spare time. And just because you dress “punk” doesn’t mean you can’t love classical music. Women are so often categorised into the “Madonna-Who*e” category and not given the chance to express themselves for who they truly are. We are judged for the fabric we wear and not for the way our minds run. We are praised for dressing a certain way and given flak for not. After a point, the entire experience gets exhausting. What’s truly mind-boggling is society’s hypocrisy to label a woman no matter what she wears.
Assigned Roles
You’d be kidding yourself if you haven’t ever indulged in “auntie politics” while in college. We often tend to label our more conservatively dressed peers as backwards or “auntie-like” and it is a very stereotypical thing to do. That same “auntie” could probably beat you at your own game and score the highest rank. Or she could quote fluent Shakespeare and be a champion at chess. End of the day, it’s silly to label someone just for being.
Just because a mom may dress in a more modern manner and prefer wearing jeans to sarees or kurtas, doesn’t make her a bad mom. This is one of the most common stereotypes seen in smaller towns and it is extremely outdated. Every mother is trying her very best to set the right example for her child and that includes the ability to choose what they wish to wear.
Breaking Stereotypes
Who says the girl who wears desi clothing can’t befriend the one wearing a short skirt? If anything, Bollywood has proven time and time again that the two girls can get along just fine. Take the friendship of Rani and Vijayalakshmi in the blockbuster, Queen as an example. Despite Rani having a more modern name, she was raised in a conservative manner back in India while Vijayalakshmi was raised in a mixed race background in a foreign country. Yet, these girls strike up a friendship and actually end up rubbing off on each other a little bit.
Even in the case of Veronica and Meera in the film Cocktail, although the pair are very different in their mannerisms, they form a true friendship. This goes to show how the film industry has been pitting women against each other for years but has finally decided to let female friendships shine through.
Clothing is something that should be extremely personal. Whether you choose to reveal your body or whether you choose to cover it up, it’s your own personal choice and nobody can dictate otherwise. Loving what you wear and feeling confident in your clothing choices is what truly matters at the end of the day. Do you feel the society has a say in what you wear? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
