I am far too out of touch with fashion which limits my capacity to comment, but I found it interesting that over the last week in the SMH we saw a bit of a furore over Dunkin Donuts’ choice of clothing to put on their model for their advertising campaign, which incidentally had to be pulled offline.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/05/29/1211654168145.html

A few days afterwards I read that people were jumping around in defense of the celebrity who did not know that what she wore caused insult to various cultures and backgrounds.
http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/world/kaffiyeh/index.html

Then today, I read in the SMH about a NZ councilor donning a costume of the white supremest group Ku Klux Klan into a meeting with the message, “Its wotz under da hood dat counts”.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/outrage-at-kiwi-ku-klux-klan-outfit/2008/05/30/1211654268340.html

I wanted to hear some opinions and thoughts on how clothing could somehow speak a form of an unspoken language, and also the appropriateness of what to wear etc.

This could be quite a lengthy discussion ranging from issues regarding clothing causing others to stumble, cultural backgrounds, the rise of globalisation and the fashion industry and even the all so confusing head coverings of 1 Corinthians 11.

But let’s start with how it is that clothing could speak a form of an unspoken language and the appropriateness of what to wear etc…

Alwin Chin - 30 May 2008 02:11 PM

I wanted to hear some opinions and thoughts on how clothing could somehow speak a form of an unspoken language, and also the appropriateness of what to wear etc.

.. .. ..

But let’s start with how it is that clothing could speak a form of an unspoken language and the appropriateness of what to wear etc…

Some random ideas to bat around:

Every year at Katoomba Youth Leadership Convention, Jim & Lesley Ramsay have plenty to say about how the girl leaders ought to dress.. .. ..and what they ought to avoid wearing for the sake of not causing their Christian brothers to be distracted or stumble.. .. ..

On a slightly different track, at special celebrations or ceremonies in my Jewish school, I the accompanist/music teacher am expected to wear a (long) skirt, as opposed to trousers - out of respect for the religious attitudes of my workplace. Even though I prefer wearing trousers while working.

That said, I remember a few of last year’s school events - a couple of the mothers had dressed their 6 y.o. girls in skirts so short they could barely sit down in them. And a couple of mothers looked as if they had borrowed their daughters’ clothes…

I can safely say that my Jewish colleagues were not impressed with these few mums’ fashion sense, or sense of modesty (or lack thereof), at all!

.. .. ..

I recall between 2003 and 2006, when teaching Muslim children in Smithfield and Blacktown, I always had to ensure modesty of dress in order to assist the kids in showing respect to me.

But appropriately modest attire is a set expectation when you work with children. Or teenagers (especially testosterone-charged boys). Or even animals. (Just kidding about that last one.)

Tia Z.

lol…

Today was Yom Yerushalayim, and out of respect for the religious beliefs of my colleagues, I accepted a makeshift gold tiara they made me wear (wearing gold is symbolic today for the Jewish people). Wore it all through my lessons today.

School has finished & the kids have gone home, but I’m still wearing it, mainly because of the feel-good sparkle! (It is really quite sparkly...I’ve been looking in the mirror more than usual today!!)

TZ.