Hyderabad: A dress code of some sort is usually a must in work situations, varying degrees of formal and informal attire are generally required by the institution or firm you work with. But what about a dress code for leisure activities? What about when you’re attending a concert, taking in a meal at a club? Should you have to follow a dress code then?
There are occasionally reports of disgruntled patrons who’ve been kept away from private establishments because the way they were dressed didn’t conform to the rules for instance, wearing sandals instead of formal shoes or not wearing a jacket. There are even some instances where devotees or tourists are turned away from temples because they’ve worn trousers or jeans when the rules require a dhoti or sari.
The most recent report has been when a judge in Chennai was not allowed to attend an event at a club (that he had been invited for) because he was dressed in a dhoti. Tamil Nadu Chief minister, J. Jayalalithaa as well as DMK leader M. Karunanidhi have both strongly protested the move.
The incident has also highlighted the complicated relationship Indians have with dress codes often not knowing what particular codes like black and white tie mean, or how Indian wear can also be formal, choosing to ignore codes altogether, or only following them when abroad.
Etiquette experts say that there’s nothing wrong with imposing a dress code for an occasion but with the caveat that the culture of a place is taken into context. Says image consultant Devanshi Gandhi, “It is very important to keep in mind people’s sentiments and the social culture. Being in India, having a dress code that is totally Western is not recommended, there needs to be a balance between the two.”
Merely ignoring a dress code isn’t an option, as it is much like a code of conduct. “A dress code should be considered as important as etiquette. I think one reason why people here, many times, do not follow dress codes, is because they want to stay within their comfort zone,” opines etiquette and grooming expert Rukhsana Eisa.
Rukhsana says that Nehru jackets for men and heavy silk saris for women are all appropriate Indian alternatives for a black tie event. To these options, life coach Chhaya Momaya adds bandhgalas and sherwanis and formal churidars.
Devanshi says one way to keep track of dress codes is to remember that “white tie” is the most formal of the dress codes (even more than a black tie event).
While it is preferable that you follow a dress code, this should not be enforceable. “A dress code is like a uniform; it helps maintain a certain standard and decorum,” says Chhaya. “I am not saying that there should be a law on decorum, but people need to be educated about it. Some places demand that decorum be maintained and it would be best to stick to it.”
