The Notion of Fashion

Fashion entails so many things. It is not only about glamour – it is also about your everyday life, or your lifestyle. I spoke with two of my teachers at Daraja Academy in Nanyuki, Kenya and they agree with me.

“Fashion is all about lifestyle. It is a way of breaking monotony.” Says teacher Caroline Wanjiku Mwangi, who teaches W.I.S.H. class (Women of Integrity, Strength and Hope) and is also in charge of Daraja’s transition program. “Fashion is dreaming in a way that makes you feel comfortable,” says my teacher of English and Literature, Miss. Elizabeth Njoki Wainaina.

Each and every person, from all walks of life, has a different understanding of what fashion is. Each profession has its own fashion. Each occasion has its own dress code. Teachers will dress differently from Comedians. You do not expect to see your math teacher with a funny wig, excess powder and a scarlet red lipstick coming to your class to teach. That is left to clowns who are supposed to earn money by doing silly things to make people laugh.

Whatever you wear speaks about your profession. It makes people want to be who you are. Some want to be bankers and wear a different suit every day with matching shoes and ties. Some want to be a fashion model who has to pose for a photo during winter in a summer dress. Fashion makes us decide so many things. Whom do I want to be in the future? Is this person the right employee for the job?

How you dress makes you feel different and outstanding. If you are comfortable with what you wear, you feel confident. You won’t feel shy as you walk around. You will walk with your head held high, with measured steps and let your colleagues discuss your attire without being embarrassed or angry.

Every time that you dress very well, someone will say to you that you look smart. How does this affect you? Does it not make you look forward to doing your daily duties enthusiastically?

“I have heard many positive comments on my dressing,” says teacher Caroline. “This boosts my self-esteem and makes me happy.  It also gives me the energy to dress better every day.”

“I have been complimented positively on my dressing so many times. This motivates me, raises my self-esteem and makes me feel comfortable,” teacher Elizabeth confirms.

Both interview subjects have mentioned self-esteem. Why do you have to be shy or uncomfortable if your choice of clothing rhymes with that day’s activities? Sometimes, you will hear negative comments, even from close friends, and you will feel discouraged. However, take this as an opportunity to learn what style suits you. Fitting clothes, loose clothes, short dresses, long dresses, skirts, trousers, etc.

Sometimes our parents may also influence our choice of dressing. They play a major role. In many African countries, wearing short or tight clothing shows your level of immorality. To them, this is lack of discipline. If you apply make-up, especially lipstick, you are classified as a sex-worker. This mostly is the belief of those in the rural areas. Our grandparents, for example, see it fit for their granddaughters to put on loose, long dresses.

Teacher Elizabeth has had this as an experience, “I once went to visit my mom for we had a family get-together. I had worn my best dress. She reprimanded me and made me wear a longer one, even though the dress I was wearing was knee-length. This made me feel really badly. The fact that I was already an adult didn’t seem to deter her. Nowadays, I double-check my clothes when I visit her.”

She did the right thing. We should all embrace all opinions with respect to clothing. However, at the end, we each get to choose what is best for us.