Dress me up

Read about Iris Apfel  in The Toronto Star today. She was a fashion icon and muse in 50s and 60s, the golden era of fashion. Today at the age of 95, she still dresses up impeccably and is well coordinated.  While reading about her, one thing struck me. When asked about if she feels that fashion is still as aspiring as then, she replied,’ Fashion has died its own death. Everything is made for young girls who can n pot afford those pieces and women in their forties can not wear them. ‘

How true. When I go to the stores, I find either very small size in designs, which are not meant for my age group or some boring design fit for a dowager. I always joke with the assistant, that you guys don’t like women in my age group. But seriously, there is a real dearth of designers designing for women in their forties and fifties. Come on, we still are stylish ad we have the taste but where are the clothes?

Are we an obsolete breed, which yearns to dress properly and be coordinated? Girls these days would go for a formal dinner in jeans and it kills me. One should be casual I agree but you go to any airport today and you will find people in their pyjamas in the name of comfort. One can be natural and yet be stylish and we don t have to spend a fortune for that. A few selected pieces and matching them is all you need.

Mind you I am not against the trends in fashion like gothic etc. but to dress up like rag dolls? And that too when going out? Call me old fashioned but I like women to look good with nice clothes. I don’t wear much make up but if you are looking neat, is that a sin? Do I have to look worn out in order to prove that I am not objectifying my self? I am a feminist; I am all for  girl education and women empowerment but that does not mean I can’t dress up and wear make up and look a million dollars.

Give me a complex

I am back and it feels good to be back. More than three months have passed and many things have happened in my life in this time. My sister came in mid  July and I was very excited. So I decided to take a break in my blog so that I could divert all my attention to her. She also preferred that.

But now she is gone and it took me sometime to get over the void she left. We had fun filled times, had our sibling fights, mostly for the heck of it and we laughed our hearts out.

My sister’s visit taught me one thing. Actually quite a few things but the first thing that comes to my mind is, we all have our own insecurities. What a weird thought!!! I am talking about my sister’s visit. But really. I grew up with a huge complex about my sister being the glamour doll of the family and I being a plain Jane. Everywhere we went, people would remark that she was very pretty. And boy, she was. I, with my rake thin physique and gawky posture would feel really sad. My mother of course was the one who always encouraged me.

Anyway, we both grew up and she got married and went abroad. Time passed and I had my own family. As time passed, everyone started saying, oh, both of you resemble so much. Believe me, the first time I heard it; It was music to my ears. Finally, I was in the same league as my sister!!!. My My.

To bring the point home now. My sister revealed that she always thought I was the fair one and you know how much the Gora rang or the fair complexion matters in India. What??? I laughed and laughed.

See we all have our own little points of anxiety. So, move on my friends. Let those complexes be the driving force to do something worthwhile. To make a difference, to challenge the worn out rituals and meaningless concepts.

Rise and shine my sisters

So be it!!!