As time passes and the world evolves, so do certain notions. And again, there are times when this
evolution is almost cyclical.
One concept that has to a certain extent run a full circle is fashion. Fashion then and fashion now
have begun to coincide, especially in the world of men’s fashion.
The people who call for ‘manly men’ and get agitated at the sight of a man in a blouse, seem to have conveniently forgotten the generations of men who traditionally wore ‘feminine’ clothing.
Ornate dresses, gold jewellery and heavy makeup were donned with pride by nobles especially the
Rajahs of India as it used to be a sign of royalty and status before they were replaced by suits.
Now after decades, the traditional concept of masculinity is being challenged by the younger
generation. From gold earrings and ruby chokers of the olden day kings, men now have transitioned
to silver chains, rings and nail paint. Many people mistake this phenomenon to be limited to the
west. But, a number of men in India are combating gender stereotypes by proudly draping the
traditional saree or even dancing in the rain to popular Bollywood numbers in a long skirt. They have
opened doors for all those men who simply wish to express their true selves through fashion of their
choice. Fashion beyond norms, beyond prejudices and also beyond societal impositions.
Standing out has always invited criticism. So, when men wear jewellery or clothes of vibrant colours
and floral prints, which have always been reserved for women, society obviously mocks them. “You
look like a girl” is one of the favourite insults heaped upon teenage boys because the worst thing imaginable is for a boy to look like a girl. While being called a girl is obviously not an insult, the
contempt with which they are referred to as girls leaves an indelible impact on the heart of an
adolescent pulsating with a heightened sense of dignity and sensitivity. However, many have not let
the world dictate how they live and so they continue to dress “like a girl” with great pride and grace, inspiring others as they live their lives bold and beautiful.
In this context, women too have not been left behind.
Why did women’s jeans not have as many pockets as those of men in earlier days? The simple
answer is: women’s fashion has always been tailormade to put style over functionality. For women
to realise and overcome these biases, that have been steeped in their mindsets since childhood, has
been a difficult journey.
As a child I remember being miserable as I was forced into frilly dresses, often of an abhorrent pink
shade. Quite ridiculously, not only were we told what to wear but also which colour. Apparently
colours had been assigned at birth. Boys were blue, black and every dark colour, whereas girls were
given the more vibrant, pastel colours which were supposed to speak of innocence and charm.
Though as a 4-year-old, I did not see the humour in this. All I remember is the unfairness of it all.
Being told to sit in one place as the dress did not allow for much movement while my counterparts
of the opposite gender did cartwheels around the room reeked of discrimination to my young mind.
– Nitya Mall
– Samyukta Menon
– Khushi Kajaria (ART)
