FASHION FUNDAS

A quote by Coco Chanel goes like this: “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Those nine words, meticulously fit into one single sentence, aptly sum up the meaning of fashion from the point of view of a common woman. Indian women have never lagged behind in fashion.

Starting from owning the traditional look with saris, lehengas and anarkalis having intricate designs to embracing the fashion statement from the West with a miniskirt, palazzos or a gown – they know it all. Step into the shoes of a common woman, and you would develop a superpower of creating your unique ensembles for different occasions. Be it a scarf tied casually around your neck to go with your formals for a day in the office, to slipping into boyfriend jeans for a casual evening – name any ensemble and that would have been tried on by at least one woman among ten women in India.

Basically, the definition of fashion for a common woman in India could be summed up in just two words: comfort and style. Everyone wants to wear something they not only feel comfortable in, but look stylish and can carry it off well, too. For working women, they need formal shirts teamed up either with pencil skirts or trousers and a pair of comfortable formal shoes. Comfort is a priority when one has to go to office daily and hence, all the formal attires chosen by a woman are selected on the basis of whether she is comfortable in that or not.

Similarly, it is a well-known fact that Indian traditional weddings are the plethora of a lot of programmes starting from the ring ceremony to the wedding. For weddings, the most viable options consist of ethnic wear ranging from simple saris to the ones with heavy designs, lehengas, langa vonis and anarkalis. Those are either teamed up with gorgeous but minimal jewellery, or heavy jewellery (preferably colour synchronised with the attires) and ethnic footwear ranging from jootis to heels. Gold, platinum or diamond jewellery happens to go with every ethnic attire.

For a casual evening with girlfriends, a pair of casual jeans teamed with a tee and a pair of sneakers, or a simple frock teamed with a comfortable pair of sandals would do. For a dinner with some guy friend, an elegant gown or a dress teamed with heels seem to be the most viable option.

Likewise, there can be many instances where one needs to dress up in her best. But pulling off an ensemble in which one can be able to make heads turn as well as feel comfortable at the same time is the definition of fashion for the women not only in India, but throughout the world. Fashion is not about keeping tabs with the latest trends; it is about creating a trend by wearing what one actually likes. Fashion also calls for the requisite self esteem to pull off one’s ensemble properly which can be justified by the words of Ralph Lauren: “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”

What is fashion???

Exact definition of fashion as given in Wikipedia is: Fashion is a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body, or furniture. Fashion is a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style in which a person dresses. It is the prevailing styles in behaviour and the newest creations of textile designers.

Fashion in Marathi : लोकप्रिय झालेले व अद्यायावत समजले जाणारे पोशाख

They also say Fashion is a Statement, Not a Style. Fashion does not have to be worn casually, nor outside the runway. Fashion is fit for all sizes, for all people of all ages. Fashion is an art of personal Self-expression, Not an excuse to be pretty, poplar and charismatic.

For Indians Fashion is what we see in the papers, magazines, movies or websites. All the fashionable items shown are really beautiful and stunning. But the thing is we can’t wear what we see as most of the clothes or other fancy items are very costly which are not affordable to everyone.

So what exactly is fashion for common woman (Common woman here i mean,  The one who stays in not so modern surrounding, the one who can not afford the "fashionable" items, the one who actually likes to wear the latest fashion but cant wear due to her social boundaries)???

- Is it what others are wearing???

- Is it what we see around the world...??

- Is it what other tell you wear??

there are many answer to that...

Meaning of "Fashion" is different for different people.

- For a college going girl fashion is to wear trendy and latest fashion to look pretty and be competitive with other girls in her surrounding.

These girls will look for cheaper but trendy places for shopping. Also some in college will only prefer branded clothes specially international brands.

- For married girls fashion is to look good for partner and in laws. They specifically prefer clothes which are good in quality.

But some married girls cant wear what they like as they have to wear the clothes preffered or selected by her partner or in-laws.

Some girls will prefer to wear clothes which are comfortable.

Some girls who are little big in size will have to purchase the clothes which are available in her size, compromising other factors such as latest trend or quality or money.

Some with the money will only buy the clothes or accessories in branded store, shopping malls or special boutiques which have trendy and latest fashion in clothing and accessories.

So as per my knowledge shopping of woman is divided as mentioned above.

Thank you