A woman’s choice of dress has been under the scanner lately, sparking of many a debate. From home ministers, tour guides to politicians, everybody seems to have a list of dos and don’ts for women in the country to follow, in order to not get groped, stared at, and feel safe. Everybody seems to have voiced their opinions, except for the women themselves! From tips on covering up, to provocative attire, these ladies decode what’s safe and chic.
We are still a country that needs to evolve in a number of ways, according to Aloka D’Souza, a designer from the city. “If you look at women from countries like the US and Australia, they are way ahead of us — they don’t care how much of their skin shows, they will continue to dress the way they like. But the mentality in our country is still a little backward and regressive. For us, we need to be aware of where we are going and dress appropriately for the location,” she opines.
“Instead of stepping out just in shorts, I have learnt that it’s always better to cover up in the simplest way possible. So I carry a scarf or dupatta and just tie it around my waist like a sarong – so it looks trendy at the same time,” smirks the designer, sharing her hack.
Agreeing with Aloka on the matter at hand, Pavithra Sagar opines, “I too have noticed women in similar situations who have looked uncomfortable. And it just makes me wonder why they wore it in the first place, considering they knew where they were going and the people they would be surrounded by. I doubt anybody would be comfortable wearing a mini skirt while commuting in an auto or bus ride – so it just makes more sense to wear what one is comfortable in. And it’s great if somebody is comfortable wearing that and travelling but we have to come to terms with the fact that a change doesn’t happen overnight. It will take time for people’s mindsets and views on such matter to evolve,” says the fashion influencer. “But to cover up, I think long cardigans do the job beautifully and can easily be taken off and stuffed into a bag if there’s a change in venue” adds Pavithra.
Dressing appropriately for a location should be taken into consideration, according to budding designer Neha Kukreja. “You don’t need a stylist to tell you what is appropriate for an occasion and what is not. We should consider the fact that we are living in India. There are a lot of shady roads and streets and by dressing skimpily in such places, we are only inviting trouble. I believe that we should be allowed to wear what we want, but must also keep the occasion in mind. It’s okay to dress in edgy attire for parties and night outs, but dressing that way and applying that kind of make up at any other venue, would obviously turn eyes,” she opines.
“Toning down makeup, is another thing we should start doing. I’ve seen girls with smoky eyes, when they’re shopping. It’s completely un-necessary. But if I were to head out after work, I’d carry a change. If it’s not possible to change, I’d suggest carrying a jacket or an overcoat or shrug along. It not only amps up the look but also covers up adequately,” she says in conclusion.
