Breaking the ‘rules’: fashion, culture, & self-identity
Written by Ata Chowdhry
I have always been very proud of my culture. Which culture, you ask? I have struggled to answer this simple question my entire life.
Born an Indian citizen in Dubai, I was raised in Qatar, attended college in the U.S., and am now working in London. For me, culture is the beauty I’ve taken away from each of the places I have lived in and travelled to over the years. I express this amalgamation of cultures through fashion as a way of communicating who I am to the world without saying a word. Fashion is a reflection of my individuality, creativity, and cultural background.
More often than not people tend to wear what they think would please other people or would conform to what is ‘trendy’. However, this excessive orientation towards trends and fashion culture has created the movement away from traditional design and a widespread desire to dress in a way that follows these so-called “fashion rules”. I too was heavily influenced by such trends and rules and for many years, wore what I thought others wanted to see me wear. I dressed in ways that I was not comfortable in and adopted styles that I never actually liked. This was especially true when I first moved to the U.S. and studied in a university lacking diversity where very few people dressed the way I was accustomed to in the Middle East. I felt the need to dress like everyone else so that I would be “accepted” by my peers. Looking back, the fashion choices I made in this period restricted my confidence and self-expression. Rather, I was self-conscious; worried about how other people would perceive me. The insecurity that came with this was an uncomfortable feeling and I reached a point where I realized that by giving in to these Western ideals of fashion, not only was I unhappy, I was also suppressing my creativity and hiding who I really was. Since the moment I decided to dress in what made me happy and what I believed looked and felt good on my body, I haven’t looked back.
Over the past few years, clothes and accessories have become tools for me to express myself, my identity, and the experiences that have shaped the person I am. As someone who has an identity crisis every time I hear the phrase “where are you from?”, I found fashion helped me showcase my multiple cultural affiliations and have begun to use what I wear to outwardly express my creativity, personal styles and values. Allowing colors, patterns, and textiles to speak for me has allowed me to communicate important aspects of my personality, my respect for modesty, and my love for color. By curating my outfits, I can present an authentic image to the world and make a statement about who I am and what I stand for. Whether it be bold patterns, eclectic jewelry, or intricately patterned accessories, fashion has allowed me to experiment with different styles and push the boundaries of traditional norms while being comfortable at the same time.
One of my favorite ways to do this is by blending traditional jewelry with contemporary clothing. By combining elements of the past with contemporary fashion, I can showcase my personal flair and cultural heritage in a new and exciting way. Whether it be wearing a pair of Indian jhumke (traditional bell-shaped earrings) with jeans or draping a Turkish patterned scarf over a minimalistic beige sweater, I find I can celebrate the traditional while embracing the contemporary, resulting in a look that is both timeless and relevant.
This also works the other way! When wearing traditional clothing, I find pairing contemporary jewelry or shoes with an Indian or Middle Eastern outfit allows me to add my own touch. Whether it be choosing sleek elegant earrings with a heavy lehenga, wearing stilettos with a threadwork shalwar kameez or adding a leather belt to a jalabiya (long traditional robe), I find I am able to elevate the overall look and make it more memorable and reflective of my individuality and style.
Travel and moving around a lot have shaped much of who I am today in a very profound way. Exploring new cultures, traditions, and ways of life and also stepping outside of my comfort zone, facing new challenges, and navigating unfamiliar situations have shaped my confidence, resilience, and sense of independence. Why would I choose to hide this wealth of experience when I can showcase it through the way I dress? Whether it be wearing an antique turquoise bracelet from a bazaar in Istanbul, a hand woven kaftan from Aqaba or a vintage scarf from a family owned shop in Maine, each item is a representation of a memory or experience and serves as a tangible reminder of the sights, sounds, and feelings experienced during the journey.
To me, what I wear goes beyond outward expression. It is also a way for me to evoke certain memories or familiar experiences and relationships. Even when I spend the day alone at home, wearing a certain perfume can bring back vivid memories of home and my childhood, when I am far away. On a lazy Sunday, I put on my mum’s kurta, spray on some oud perfume and I instantly feel a sense of comfort and closeness to home.
Shifting my mentality to wear what I feel confident in and to not being afraid to express myself through my fashion choices has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has shaped my self-concept and has allowed me to prioritize perceiving and treating myself the way I deserve rather than thinking of others’ perceptions first. And trust me, when you’re wearing confidence and an outfit that represents who you really are- no one gives a s*** about those so-called “fashion rules”.
About the author: Ata Chowdhry currently resides in London and works full-time as a market research professional. Ata holds a Master’s degree from King’s College in International Political Economy and a Bachelor’s degree from Boston College in Economics and International Studies. Ata is an avid baker and art enthusiast, specializing in Islamic and Middle Eastern art.
