Someone boldly said: “Taste is to temperament as fashion is to appearance”

I can’t agree any less.

Taste refers to people’s degustation of things around them be it food, life or art. Fashion on the other hand, refers to a popular style at a given period of time.

Back in the days, taste and fashion had no place. However, with the coming of civilisation, things changed.

Taste and fashion are subjective. As the saying goes, “ another man’s food is another’s poison”. It is popular in the western world that whoever follows fashion is without taste but with Africans, it’s quite the contrary.

What’s your take on taste and fashion?

THE BATTLE OF ATTIRES.

First and foremost, taste will fashion a man before the world and take him places.

Most times, people create for themselves a unique style different from what fashion is all about. To them, taste is creative and should not make sense to others as it will for them; I don’t dispute this fact but I don’t agree with it either.

Formerly, people did not pay attention to colours; but with the coming of civilisation and exposure to the media, people got to match colours. It’s been a lifestyle for sometime now but the narrative has changed for a bit. Now, people just wear colours that go with one another.

But we can’t ignore the fact that some colours blended together cannot and should not be accepted in the natural world. Mindful,with the changing times, I wonder why fashion is going backwards.

Generally, we have three different kinds of outfits; corporate, classy and casual outfits.

Firstly, corporate outfits refer to clothings worn to work. Classy outfits on the other hand are dressy and elegant clothings and are reserved for special occasions. Lastly, casual outfits are everyday clothings.

You should normally not wear corporate attires to social gatherings because casual outfits fit best. Classy outfits which should be worn to parties and other social events are now worn to work or service. People attribute this disorder to taste and fashion and this is totally wrong.

Did you know revealing dresses are casual attires?

Did you know these outfits are suited for the night?

Did you know classy outfits should never be too tight or baggy but made to fit?

Did you know classy outfits should not be revealing?

Did you also know that dressing is merely for comfort and not totally for impression?

An old man once told me to dress comfortably so I can make effortless impressions; believe me he was right.

All these I’ve mentioned have nothing to do with taste or fashion but with ethics and norms.

In the world of taste and fashion, some people love extremely long outfits while others prefer theirs short and others like outfits directly below their knees. These different taste in fashion does not mean whatever outfits they like and wear are suited for all occasions. For instance, long outfits should be worn to night parties. I, who am the writer is a lover of short outfits but I know when to wear them.

Another popular thing I hear is, people will address you according to how you dress. And I say this is balderdash. Don’t get me wrong; If one should be addressed according to their attires then, some security officers, cleaners and what have you will earn no respect. In contemporary times, people will address you how they’ll address you and not because of what you wear; take it or leave it. Nonetheless, always wear good clothes and shoes; most importantly, dress comfortably.

THE NEEDLE AND FLESH CYCLE AS A FASHION TOOL.

Piercings and tattoos are body decorations. They have existed over time and will continue to exist. 

While some people pierce their skin for spiritual or religious reasons, others do so to add more meaning to their personality.

Ancient Egyptians wore earrings to display their wealth and beauty. As for ancient Romans, piercings always served the purpose; they would pierce their bodies to signify strength and virility. For instance, Julius Caesar pierced his nipple to show his strength and signify the unity he had with his men. In the African culture, piercings also symbolised strength and passage into adulthood. In the last hundred years, came the nose piercings and women always wore it to show they were married. In today’s world, it is a predominant factor in taste and fashion.

Hitherto, around 3300 BCE , the oldest tattoos were found upon a preserved mummified skin in a glacier of the Otztal Alps near the border between Australia and Italy. “Otzi the Iceman” was the name of this man and he had 57 tattoos; quite many right? However, tattoos originated long before Otzi and it is worth noting that in some parts of the world, tattoos were used in ancient times to identify criminals and slaves. Even in the Bible, body jewelleries were used for dowry and marriage but it doesn’t mention the issue of tattoos.

Nevertheless, things are very different today.

Popular opinion has it that people who are fond of the needle have low self esteem.

Today, over 45 percent of people have tattoos and piercings. Does that mean they have a low opinion about themselves?

In my opinion, piercings and tattoos are just for fashion. Most people do piercings or tattoos for self-expression and this has nothing to do with esteem. You can agree with me that, some people are so attractive with their piercings such that others wished they too could have the same piercings on.

I’m not fond of tattoos but they’re equally cute. Tattoos have the power to attract either positive or negative energy depending on the significance of the tattoo. Only those with a background knowledge of these variant tattoos can tell why and how the individual got it. Additionally, those with tattoos happen to be more confident in their skin or outfits, look attractive and are said to possess untold strength. Tattoos if well done, can give one a unique personality.

However, personally, piercings and tattoos should not be exaggerated because people already see these things as bad so exaggerating them will make one look weird. One can have a maximum of three piercings if they’re many. I equally prefer small tattoos because they’re cuter; Well, it all depends on the individual. If you love piercings, go for them and if you love tattoos, go for them. If you love both, go for them.

Nevertheless, examining a tattoo or piercing before getting them is important.

THE ANKLET BATTLE; A GLITCH TO “NON–WEARERS”

First and foremost, an anklet was a means to identify a particular group of people back in the days. It was said to be a form of protection for those who wore it; it protected them from diseases or bad omen. Now, everyone can put on anklets.

In addition, this piece of jewellery originated from India and almost like bangles, it was seen as a mere ornament on a woman’s foot. Furthermore, anklets also showed that a woman was engaged or married.

The oldest anklets are more than 8000 years old. Then, they were more than just fashion jewelleries. Women in Mesopotamia used to wear them to show off their husband’s fortune.

However, it didn’t stop people from giving into the idea that, women who wore anklets were free women and the latter still obtains today.

The wearing of anklets like any other fashion item is subjective. People contemplate whether wearing anklets is sinful or not. Well, wearing anklets could be sinful and not sinful and here’s why;

• If one wears an anklet for identification to an occult group or any fetish order, this is sinful.
• If one wears an anklet as an accessory, this is not sinful at all.

By the way, the Bible doesn’t mention the issue of wearing anklets as either sinful or not. Yet, some religious fanatics have succeeded in eradicating the wearing of anklets which was formerly part of African tradition. It is a very big glitch to their upbringing and rules of life which I find somewhat offensive. Every non-doer of something always find doers sinful. It’s just sad.

Again, cultural dancers wear anklets. Does this make them promiscuous or fetish?

Queens equally wear anklets does this make them in any way fetish or promiscuous?

If there’s a problem with the wearing of ankle bracelets it means there’s a problem with wearing wrist bracelets and necklaces as well.

In a nutshell, anklets are normal jewelleries and attaching a particular meaning to them is fallacious. Everything is sinful or not ; depending on ones conception. Hence, anklets have no major meaning and I think they add a fun sparkle to ones strut. It all writes back home to ones sense of taste and fashion.

As time goes by, things change. No idea should be fashioned around a particular thing. Get rid of the clichés; Be broad-minded.

Now, to all those chasing fashion and obsessed with trends, take a break and build your wardrobe.

FASHION IS GOOD, BUT, SAY NO TO FAST FASHION; BUILD YOUR TASTE.

For the most part, the wearing of fancy clothes, anklets, neck or wrist jewelleries and the contact with the needle all stem from the taste of every individual’s style. Not everyone has good taste but one can always fashion their taste. However, it should be noted that, the wearing of famous brands and jewelleries have nothing to do with good taste. Thus, taste is the beauty of things seen and felt not merely the things seen. Taste is to temperament but, the meaning of taste is from the mind and heart.

Moreover, fashion is common while taste is unique. A man with taste is a man with style. Hence, the power to judge rests solely on him which is why different attitudes to life, art and culture depend on individual taste.

In all, It’s is important to note that, without good taste, one cannot be fashionable.

Inspired and edited by:

Dr. SANDRA O. BUMA.