4.3.1 Influence of Dress on self and others
Dress, which falls under the dictates of fashion is a sort of language, which has been used as a communicative medium from time immemorial. It has been largely used as a signalling medium. As a type of intersection between the individual and the larger socio-cultural environment, it is implied that dress can be imparted as a type of social power. For dress to perform the role of a communicative medium one needs to allocate meaning to it. Different styles have different meanings attached, which constantly undergoes change. Thus influence of dress is centred entirely on the idea of people’s perceptions, emotions and actions, which are shaped by the image they construct of themselves or others. Self- monitoring behaviours account for the …show more content…
Dressing today is the construction of the ‘enterprising self’, which can be achieved through wardrobe engineering. The early occurrence of Power Dressing rejected all forms of femininity. However the choice of attires given to women establishes the role played by male chauvinism in constructing the woman as the other. The real question, at present, in the world of ‘Powerful Dressing, boils down to whether femininity is an accentuation of power.
Dress for women in any kind, be it the ‘sari’, ‘salwar’ or ‘suit’, signals feminity. One does not want to imitate a man in order to fit in. Accentuation of femininity depends on the styling of the dress. A dress that subtly accentuates the curves of the female body, denotes power. There is always something very empowering while wearing high heels or red lipstick. These are tools of modification that helps boost one’s confidence by enhancing the female body, hence commands power.
“Feminine dress at work means well fitted dress enough to show your curves but not be