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I don’t think a lot of people actively wake up every morning thinking ‘what would others like to see me in today?’ as supposed to what they like and prefer for themselves. Of course, having the choice to craft and create your very own unique style is a bit of a #firstworldproblem - it’s a luxury not all women have.
That said, South Africa is such a fashionable, vibrant and eclectic place where on a daily walk through the city streets you spot women mixing trends and tradition, modern prints and family jewellery to create a very unique style. Many do so without many resources.
Being able to choose your day-to-day outfit depending on your mood is a great feeling. Imagining someone else dictating what my outfit should or shouldn’t look like remind me of that scene in Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, where honorary members of her husband’s extended family take turns to dress the dauphine. The poor girl stands there half naked, shivering, waiting to be dressed.
There is the famous quote by Betsey Johnson: “Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and, of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys they’d just walk around naked at all times.”
To this, many of our favourite TV characters like Carrie and the crew from Sex and the City can vouch for. Most men don’t care about designer labels, colour-blocking and sky-high stilettos.
This year’s FNS survey revealed that a whopping 87% of women in this demographic say that they dress for themselves, while 8% don’t care about clothes, 2% dress for men and 2% dress for other women.
It could be argued that many women perceive what they wear as their choice and their choice alone. Yet, in everyday society, we have certain socially acceptable ways of dressing: the formal work outfit, the party look, wedding attire; the list is really endless.
Everyone has their own sense of style, be it considered as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ by tastemakers, friends and strangers. Our style is the result of various influences such as music, your mother, advertisements, friends or a boyfriend/girlfriend. Our environment shapes us in so many ways.
The fact that this demographic of women overwhelmingly chose to tick the option ‘for myself’ says a lot about women in South Africa today. Fashion is not just fashion anymore, style not just style, but a means of empowerment.
Let us know what you think!
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook
That said, South Africa is such a fashionable, vibrant and eclectic place where on a daily walk through the city streets you spot women mixing trends and tradition, modern prints and family jewellery to create a very unique style. Many do so without many resources.
Being able to choose your day-to-day outfit depending on your mood is a great feeling. Imagining someone else dictating what my outfit should or shouldn’t look like remind me of that scene in Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, where honorary members of her husband’s extended family take turns to dress the dauphine. The poor girl stands there half naked, shivering, waiting to be dressed.
There is the famous quote by Betsey Johnson: “Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and, of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys they’d just walk around naked at all times.”
To this, many of our favourite TV characters like Carrie and the crew from Sex and the City can vouch for. Most men don’t care about designer labels, colour-blocking and sky-high stilettos.
This year’s FNS survey revealed that a whopping 87% of women in this demographic say that they dress for themselves, while 8% don’t care about clothes, 2% dress for men and 2% dress for other women.
It could be argued that many women perceive what they wear as their choice and their choice alone. Yet, in everyday society, we have certain socially acceptable ways of dressing: the formal work outfit, the party look, wedding attire; the list is really endless.
Everyone has their own sense of style, be it considered as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ by tastemakers, friends and strangers. Our style is the result of various influences such as music, your mother, advertisements, friends or a boyfriend/girlfriend. Our environment shapes us in so many ways.
The fact that this demographic of women overwhelmingly chose to tick the option ‘for myself’ says a lot about women in South Africa today. Fashion is not just fashion anymore, style not just style, but a means of empowerment.
Let us know what you think!
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook
