What is it that makes women never ending shoppers? Clothes, accessories, jewelry, the list goes on. Women of all ages tend to build up the wardrobe with utmost care and desire. The perfect wedding gown or the office attire, they are conscious of their look and have it all from exotic, ethnic, formal, classy or sporty.
Here is what some Indian women in the US had to say about the significance of clothes choices:
Clothes attract attention. It depends where I am going. I make sure to dress well and according to season. I choose my own attire and do not allow friends or family to interfere. -Anita
I am not a fashion victim but yes I am conscious of what I wear. I even judge people by their clothes. It can tell a lot about a person. Good dress up can have a hypnotic effect. Some colors or shapes can be very eye-catching, while others may be dull. -Henna
Dressing well improves confidence level. It helps you influence people in a positive way and makes me happy too. The first impression is made by the first look, for which you might never get a second chance. - Keerat
It is important to know what suits you. I don't follow fashion trends, but know what looks best on me. That's all that counts. - Jeena
Psychologist and image consultant Jennifer Skinner explained in an interview "I tell all my clients: You wear what you wear. If you have wardrobe consonance, your style persona will align with what you have in your closet, and what is in your closet will align with what you actually wear, and what you actually wear will influence your style persona. "
No doubt women are consciously making an attempt to improve the collection of clothes. This need for looking good and making a powerful statement is taken further by designers. Well-known Indian designer Jatin Kochar told SA Times a lot more about the psychology behind good clothing:
What is the most important element to be considered while designing for women?
Jatin Kochar: The most important element while designing for men or women is balance. If the outfit is heavy, then accessories should be light. And vice versa. If accessories are heavy then tone down the outfit. Indian women at weddings wear heavy make up and heavy outfits, which makes them look not so good.
What is heavy? Do you mean color or fabric?
Kochar: Lots of jewelry combined with heavy clothes is a no-no. Before going out, women often say to their companions, "You didn't say how I look." They end up looking like Christmas Trees. In the whole exercise of trying to look different they end up looking alike. For clothing or in fact any aspect of life, balancing works very well. We are all blessed with it and need to look inside ourselves for the right color/fabric. The barometer within us informs us what is right, but if you choose to ignore it you end up looking like a Christmas Tree.
How do you think clothes influence the personality of a person?
Kochar: Very interesting question. Clothes, consciously or subconsciously, convey a lot about your persona and current state of mind. For example, two college boys see a girl wearing a salwar suit, bindi or a typical Indian attire, the common perception would be "behenji." In reality, maybe the evening before she saw an Aishwarya Rai movie in traditional wear or Sridevi's 'Chandni', which influenced her choice. Next day, she could be in another state of mind and wear a strappy blouse and the same set of boys would see her as a different person. All she did is change her clothes.
Clothing is an effective tool. While at work, wear a nice tie that looks nice on you, you start the day on a positive note as you choose it and look good in it. When someone gives you a compliment, it makes you happy and look radiant and everyone wants to interact with such people. Most people don't look into this. Compliments make you look better. Hence productivity increases. If someone smiles at you, chances are you will smile back at them. It's like a virus.
A personal exercise that I do every morning when I wake up is smile. Saying a nice good morning to the world makes me happy.
Are there any 'Happy colors'?
Kochar: Instead of what's in, wear colors of fruits and vegetables of the season. These are the colors that are always popular at that point of time. For example, Indian summer has bright Indian colors like orange or mango or other fruits and vegetables that you get in summer. These are the colors in fashion and the fabric too is chosen this way. For example, velvet is never worn in summers, it is a heavy winter fabric. European royalty used to wear deep colors as it is cold there so brocade and velvet are used.
What is it best compliment you ever got from a women client?
Kochar: Anita Pratap, former New Delhi bureau chief of CNN, wears a royal blue evening gown designed by me which she bought 16 years ago. She combines it with a metallic belt. I think this is a compliment in itself.
By Nikki Rattan
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