WHAT CAN "SHE" PUT ON ...

I have just completed my undergraduate studies in one of the country’s public universities. As I await graduation ceremony, that is only an a few months away, I have realized that my age has also updated accordingly. I have also noted that my friends are either in promising relationships or have already given me their wedding cards. The other day my close friend Florence tied a knot with his fiancee, Duncan, in a very colorful wedding. Everyone was either beautiful or handsome:men in black suits and purple ties and ladies in purple dresses. Although am not good in colors, I can tell that everything looked awesome. I liked every bit.

Image source - internet 

I stared at Florence as she was escorted by her parents to meet her groom. It was amazing. She was gorgeous in her wedding dress.It was a moment of joy. In my mind however, run a very different script. I started thinking, she is now going to be someone’s wife and as a result somethings between us (as friends) have to change: chats, conversations and time for one another, not only for me but equally for other friends too. The maiden’s dresses were amazing. I was fascinated by their stunning looks. I also thought about myself. When will I ever stand next to my Dad on the pulpit waiting for my bride? I laughed, almost loud enough to be heard by the person seated next to me. I was laughing at myself. I mean, how I can think of marriage when am not even in a relationship and have not even thought of getting into one.

 It was that sarcasm that prompted my laughter. I thought about it for a second. What if I wanted to get into a relationship that would probably lead to marriage! What kind of a lady will I be looking for? What characteristics? Of course I have a list of qualities that I expect from (Ruth) to compliment what (Boaz)have. In this article however, I won’t discuss all of them. I will only focus on one. Dressing. It’s a slippery issue to talk about especially among the young people. But I promise I won’t dictate what to be worn or what not to be worn. I won’t do that. After all who am I to do that?

Just as I had noted earlier in this article, I have been in an institution of higher learning (campus) for the last four years. I have seen quite a variety of dressing styles. From ‘hallelujah’ dresses to small clothes that cover less and leave quite large part of the body exposed. You may ask, is this funny? What’s wrong with that?  I must admit that everything looked wrong and funny a few years back when I first saw a lady in a miniskirt. I was never used to that. This was after relocating to Nairobi from upcountry. I grew up in a village called Uiini, a rural community in famous Machakos County (former district).  As a village boy, I observed everything that happened in my surrounding. Women seemed to have a common way of dressing, they wore dresses and skirts with blouses, from young girls to grandmas. It was amazing. My mother whom I take as an example wore dresses, skirts and blouses as well.

Image source - internet

As far as I can remember, the issue of dressing never appeared in any conversation, dialogue or any other activity that took place. Why then am I talking about dressing?It’s the same question am asking myself. I see disparities in the way ladies dress today. I don’t know why the difference. Maybe it’s because I have been exposed into different cultures that does not conform to my native one.Currently, it’s even difficult to tell what is decent dressing. One thing am sure though, since I was a young boy up to date many things have changed,among them dressing. However, the last time I visited my family upcountry, I noted that some things have been preserved.

For the few days I stayed around I observed that none of my family members wore a trouser, miniskirts and pair of shorts. Not even my neighbors. The skirts and dresses worn are some inches below the knees. Only a few young ladies at the nearest shopping center wore trousers. I thought this is old-fashioned. Wait a minute, you mean all these people are wrong? No. I don’t think so. They have kept some values for a reason. My observation kept me thinking, does this mean then that all my friends who put on trousers and miniskirts can’t fit in my society. To be honest,I don’t know the answer. I have nothing against them but I think my family and society, where I come from, have some set standards that I am not bold enough to defy.