By: Maha Ali Rizvi
This world would be nothing if not for rules. Rules keep people in check and they are necessary for the smooth-sailing functioning of human life. But, not all rules that exist today are really required. In fact, we all know and live with a few of them that are rubbish and don’t even make sense. Sadly, this is the case when it comes to fashion as well. I mean, if fashion is a form of art and art is a form of expression, how are we expressing with hundred per cent authenticity if there are rules in place?
Well, here’s the thing—these rules in art and fashion aren’t legally binding and they are nothing more than personal opinions. Fashion rarely actually has any “rules“. Ahead, we break some of these for you so you feel free to express yourself and wear what you want how you want!
Myth: Dress according to your body type.
Reality: Dress however you like!
Look, we have one life. If we spend that trying to dress according to how and where our curves are placed, we might as well just follow all the rules and forget the fun. Yes, dressing for your body type is a famous piece of advice but get this, it’s advice and nothing more. Advice that even I have been guilty of giving but learned that it’s actually just a nicer way of body shaming.
Petite frames shouldn’t wear bold prints or maxi dresses or curvy frames should avoid body-hugging silhouettes because achieving that hourglass figure is the ultimate goal? First ask yourself, who said an hourglass shape is the ideal body figure for women and inverted triangle for men? Or that thin and long is better than short or wide? Here are my two cents: wear what you like how you like it and don’t try to create an illusion of a certain figure. Instead, embrace your body in your own way!
Myth: Heels aren’t for tall girls.
Reality: Tall girls can absolutely enhance their height further!
Being a tall girl is genuinely one of the best gifts you can get; it’s what makes you unique, beautiful, and stand out in any crowd. If you are tall, all you need is the right attitude, posture, and you can carry any outfit with confidence.
It’s a bit of an absurd rule that tall girls should stick to flats but if you’re a tall girl reading this and want to wear heels, listen to me and do it! Flaunt it, flaunt those extra inches and know that there is nothing wrong in looking taller than you already are. Heels make your legs look long. It makes your posture better.And if anyone tries to tell you otherwise, tell them you’re more of a rule-breaker than a follower and that there is nothing abnormal in tall women looking taller. I don’t believe a woman should be admonished for wearing heels just because she is tall. Many tall girls including me wear heels because it gives them an even more height advantage, elongates the legs, and makes them feel confident.
Myth: Moms-to-be should opt for floaty dresses.
Reality: Mom-to-be can opt for anything that’s comfortable!
The common advice is that women should dress in clothes that hide their bump. But hide it why? There is absolutely nothing wrong in embracing that bump in all its glory because for starters, that bump is nature-made and secondly, you’re growing a human inside you. Shouldn’t you then instead be flaunting it? Yes, you should. So if you feel like wearing that stretchy, body-hugging dress or a floaty maxi, dress up for yourself and wear what you like! Never before has maternity style been so scrutinised and discussed in fashion circles as it has been ever since the past years. Gone are the days when celebrities would go underground when pregnant, only to emerge once the baby has been delivered and the excess weight either shed or embraced. There are some celebrities who just up-ed the game of pregnancy fashion. Some of my favourite are Kim Kardashian, Kareena Kapoor, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton and the iconic Princess Diana.
Traditional maternity styles are all about hiding the belly and creating the illusion that you aren’t really that pregnant. Kim Kardashian goes the opposite direction by embracing body-hugging silhouettes that makes her bump the focus of the ensemble. She also isn’t afraid to keep things classy, opting for lots of lace and other sensual details. She celebrates the “delicate condition” that many women feel pressured to hide. Whether you’re looking to stay sleek and chic, or you just want a reason to wear a maternity gown covered in sparkles and fringe, you could easily learn a few maternity fashion tricks from Kim — the main one being to stay true to your style and embrace your enjoyment of fashion. Without raining on their absolutely trendy style statement, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that when a certain Kareena Kapoor Khan entered the arena of stylish pregnant celebrities, the fashion quotient just went through the roof. Her sartorial choices have mostly being on point with smart maxis, flowing ankle-length shrugs, embellished gowns, denims, edgy kurtas and flowy palazzos. From dresses to pants to gowns, Kareena has donned it all with élan. And my absolute favourite look has to be when she doned a Sabyasachi outfit at a fashion show.
Myth: Always match all elements of the outfit.
Reality: Absolutely not. More colour, the better it is!
Sure there is nothing wrong with going all matchy-matchy but it’s not a definite rule. It was a style that was heavily followed back in the day but today, it’s all about mixing and matching sartorial elements that you wouldn’t ideally imagine to go together. So if that’s wearing a white and green, floral-printed dress with red and pink shoes, as long as it feels good and doesn’t look odd to you, you’re good to go! I’m sure you’ve heard of colour-blocking and clashing prints.
Myth: Keep your age in mind while dressing up.
Reality: Age is a number and has nothing to do with fashion!
I’m sure we’ve all heard people dropping unsolicited opinions like, hey, I don’t think wearing heavy clothes or bright colours is appropriate at your age. Firstly, where does it say that wearing bright and heavy clothes is appropriate when you’re younger and odd when you’re older? This is just one example under the umbrella of age-appropriate dressing. Age-appropriate dressing should instead focus on the kind of image you want to be associated with, how to integrate youthful trends and style them with sophistication and lastly, making people understand that dressing in what feels good and comfortable should be your main lookout. here isn't a law enforcing how old you have to be to shop in certain clothing sections for a reason. Based on your age, people might expect you to not wear items expected to be worn by young individuals, like skinny jeans or Converse sneakers, but there’s no reason you have to throw away your favorite comfortable clothes just because you’ve hit a certain calendar year.
Myth : Wearing Sleeveless and skin showy dresses makes you look stylish
Reality : MODEST FASHION IS THE ULTIMATE FASHION!
I’ve encountered many women in my life that have changed their way of dressing just to look “stylish” by wearing revealing clothes! THAT DOESN’T EVEN SUITS THEM! And the reason is just to look fashionable or because they have moved abroad. Listen, wear what suits you or what you’re comfortable in and not in the pressure to catch attention! One shouldn’t forget their roots and the way they were brought up.
MODEST FASHION IS THE BIG THING!!!! It pays attention to keep a balance between fashion and tradition. All luxury brands are being forced to think more strategically about how to appeal to observant women, with numerous religious backgrounds. Thanks to the modest Instagram influencers, who are rising in great number and appealing to western women too. Although modest fashion has become the new buzz word in the fashion industry, Muslim and non-Muslim women have been dressing modestly for decades - regardless of what was labeled fashionable in Western countries.
There was a time when Marilyn Monroe got inspired by an Iranian model and wore a scarf on her head and made an iconic appearance at France Fashion Show. That look was then followed by many people around the globe and specially featured in Hollywood movies.
The prolific rise of modest fashion in the West has left some Muslim consumers in a state of unease, not knowing which brands actively care about their religious and cultural backgrounds and which are more interested in making profit. Regardless of the reasons behind the West’s current obsession with modest fashion, the coverage it has received has given Muslim talent an opportunity to shine.
Some of the biggest brands have also started to incorporate modest fashion into their collections, including DKNY and Mango, which have both launched Ramadan lines. H&M, Nike and Gap have also launched campaigns with models wearing a hijab, and the Net-a-Porter website features a modest fashion section. And I cant be more happier about it.
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