When it comes to fashion is it best to take the “when in Rome” approach? It seems that is the way of the fashion land. If you were invited to a tea party on your travels to China, would you wear the fashionable Cheongsam or otherwise known as a Qipao Dress to a tea party to appeal to the culture? Let’s keep in mind that back home you would not. Back home you would most likely wear your vintage, knee-length printed A-line dress. But you can’t go to the tea capital of the world with your usual approach to tea fashion. Or could you? Well, it may be a little pressure to think of attending such a prestigious event. In China, tea is a delightful symbolism of cultural celebration with spiritual and social significance. Tea parties would not successfully describe how honorable tea is in traditional Chinese culture. Tea ceremonies is a more descriptive expression used which sounds way more sophisticated leaving to question, “What to wear?” Not only in China, but wherever your travels take you, even right at home.
What's Approriate
It may be wise to first consider cultural appropriation. Is it inappropriate, mocking or disrespectful to the culture to wear cultural attire? Researching Chinese or other cultural traditions and appropriations prior to attending cultural events is a great way to become familiar with what is not only fashionable, but also acceptable. Chinese tea ceremonies are a significant part of American Chinese weddings. Dressing in traditional Chinese attire, servn’ and sippin’ China famous tea and performing the symbolic Lion dance are considered honorable gestures. So, it is not only acceptable to celebrate the Chinese culture with traditional style, but it is very well appreciated to embrace the tea fashion and amazing traditions.
In traditional Chinese culture colors such as white and black are representations of mourning and red is exclusively for the bride. Therefore, considerations are usually taken to avoid wearing these colors to celebrate the bride and groom. However, there are so many other prosperous, lucky colors that will bring good vibes to the wedding and tea ceremony.
Green is a color of prosperity and abundant, complete health. This gorgeous color is celebrated delightfully in the Chinese culture as a color of harmony and wealth along with a serene, healthy environment. Wear it proudly!
What's Comfortable?
You must form the question of comfortability when deciding what is the best fit, wear and style for your tea party or ceremony. The Qipao, originally traditional male Manchu attire, has popularized as a traditional Chinese styled dress that has become quite admired in American fashion interests. Many Mandarin gowns, like the Qipao dress, are form fitting; and the fit should be considered if you enjoy a more flowing feel of a Manchu dress to accommodate and support your hips and waist line. Remember, there is always custom styling for the perfect fit.
What's... You?
Some events come with instruction for appropriate attire. But what of those that aren’t so detailed? Many people tend to wear black as a safe approach to elegance and formal wear. What if black is not a tea fashion option. Are you comfortable wearing purple, yellow, and pink? What if these are not on your list of favorites, but are the colors that best salute the culture? Then go with what is more comfortable for you. White, black and red are only 3 colors excluded as options of wear. But, if you are uncomfortable wearing traditional ceremonial attire but feel out of place for rocking your own style of dress then DON’T GO. It is more important to grace any event, place or environment with your presence comfortably than stylishly according to someone else’s judgement. Respect and honor for your own fashion approach, your surroundings and culture automatically leaks into the respect of other cultures their events and style of dress. It is all good when you are rocking out in your own fashionable way.
When considering fashion or any decision of appearance keep in mind that your identity of who you know yourself to be should never be compromised, is unacceptable to be questioned and is the gift that we get to experience only from you no matter if others try and match it, judge it or dismiss it. Of the many cultures, thousands of styles of dress and infinite criticism, there is only one you to contribute to the art of fashion and the universe. And you decide just how to do it. AT ALL TIMES!
Want to really make a fashion statement? Wear yellow! This opulent, symbolic color of mother Earth is known for the generation of Yin and Yang promoting relief from stress and anxiety for freedom from worldly pressures. The color of royalty, the center of all things and beauty yellow makes a very firm and symbolic fashion statement. No need to hide in the mysterious shadows of black. Go yellow!
Servn' This Tea....
Good Morning America (GMA) was one of many media outlets that highlighted a hot fashion topic that went viral and made it their cover story. There are some Asians that became upset by the decision of an American teenage girl (Keziah Daum) gracing prom with the stylish look of Traditional Chinese culture. One reason stated behind the upset is that the history behind the clothing was not considered or known while posing in a stereotypical manner. However, was the purpose of her pose and clothing choice researched and known before criticism was placed upon her? She is embracing the freedom to celebrate and embrace diversity through fashion just as we enjoy our fresh cup of tea through welcoming and embracing fresh tea leaves shared from traditional Chinese culture and the abundance of fashion, entertainment, food, etc. that culture and other cultures also have to offer. What is a world without the ability to share simple, yet expressive things such as style and fashion? I care not to experience such a bland place!
There was absolutely no intent of cultural shaming. It was more appreciation for than misappropriation of the Chinese culture. She simply felt beautiful, comfortable and free to buy a nice Qipao dress. Period. Is it more shameful to internet bash without knowing the history behind a prom pose? Or, is it any shame at all in wearing a gorgeous gown on a beautiful day without knowing the very thing that you embrace as freedom of diversity and expression is the very thing that insults another. As long as you are firm in your own cultural celebrations, education and are embracing it then that is all that truly matters. Everyone may not be aware and firmly interested in the history of your culture, but many, many will truly celebrate it. Let’s all be grateful for diversity, fashion and the benefits of sharing.
Screenshot form GMA story from twitter user @msyinseattle
Screenshot from GMA story from twitter user @StephanieChan
Because we have wonderful people that create, build, sell, trade, give and share their time, fashion, money, etc. with us, we can also receive abundantly of all those things. Those are some of the things that hold significance because they keep us all connected across the globe. Who is the fashion cultural appropriation police anyway? Who decides this is a fashion crime? Especially in America where so many cultural foods, arts, languages and more are shared freely. Are we pushing for some sort of fashion segregation? Or are there only certain things that are okay to embrace of other cultures. Even in fashion, choose your battles, quite enough are placed before us daily. Be mindful of what you allow to disrespect you and your culture. Not too many people want to pick a fight on one of the most important days of their younger years for the sake of their own personal fashion choice. However, others would like to start a battle for it. In this case, this could be considered, a “blind” fashion choice. Unknowingly deciding to open oneself up to harsh criticism making that along with viral video and images being the thing to remember instead of prom night. Should we research all our fashion choices now so that we don’t rock the social boat? I say sharing is caring. Keziah Daum is not the first to rock this look and will not and should not be the last. Rock out!
So, when in Rome, should we dress as the Romans do? Well, it is beautiful that we can all share fashion and interests of other cultures in celebration of diversity. The mere intention of wanting to be “respectfully” fashionable makes you awesome. Just remember fashion is like a foreign language. Some speak it fluently while others not so much or not at all. Some choose to stick to the language that they know; otherwise, they feel they just sound and/or look foolish. If you don’t know what is appropriate for the celebrated culture that is agreeable with your style and fit then research. If it does not resonate then respectfully stick to your own style of fashion (language) and places of being that resonate best with you. Period. Doing what is appropriate to hold compassion toward and being celebratory of cultural traditions that aren’t your own while being stylish and comfortable is a great thing. Own your look and do you!
– MsLeadn’