In the spectrum of life, colors have ever been helpful to paint the life with different shades of mood. Fashion, otherwise also is the name of reflection of mood of human being. Though, colors have been so valuable since the day of genesis of human race, but in fashion they play a role with certain fixed aspects. Colors represent our aesthetic sense, and determine our social-economic standing. To verify it, if we look back into the archives of costumes of Royal families of various cultures, we find the impact of colors on their appearance.
Entanglement with colors
Man, by being entangled into the delusion of colors, tries to shape up himself as an attractive entity. Along with, he tries to implicate society into that delusion as well. In context to fashion, colors are means to demonstrate a specific class /rank or file. As saffron is linked with Hindu culture, likewise green color widely acknowledges Muslim religious inclination.
Hindus’ women put on bright warm red charming bridal attire. In Christianity, wedding costume of women is of White color. On the other hand, in the social- political arena white color symbolizes peace, and in war it is an indication of surrender by vanquished one. Fashion hardly can survive, if it goes against the long time settled social norms and values of colors’ implications.
Choice of colors in costumes
The color of costumes helps in identifying the vocation, job or sports. Even, it work as the political parties insignia. That is also part and parcel of fashion. In medical profession white coat and in cricket white dress is an implied sign. With context to India, Khaki color of uniform is allocated to police force, whilst the same uniform in Pakistan is for army personal. In Indian subcontinent, the white colored attire have been most preferred dress code of politicians for long. Now with the advent and escalation of Bhartiya Janta party as the prominent political party, shirts of saffron/yellow hues are in vogue.
Psychological impact
The psychological impact of colors, has ever been accorded the proper recognition. The warm red color is helpful in exciting the sentiments. On the contrary, azure/blue color generates serenity and pellucid feelings. Simply your attire reflects your persona, meant in summer season light shades costumes and in winter season bright and warm are in vogue. In ancient and middle period of our history, the style of cloths been subject to Socio-economic and political changes.
Chiefly these changes were confined to ruling, elite class. The common people had nothing to do with that. They were to put on traditional Indian attire for centuries. A major change was noticed in the middle period of history. When, Mughal king Aurengzeb, of India, by allurement or with the force of sword converted the multitudes of Hindus into Muslim religion. During that period of time, it was mandatory for converts, to be clad in costume as per the Muslim culture. Majorly the head gear in Hindus was turban and bowl cap of Muslims.
Fashion, an another name of style change
The fashion conveys a process of alteration and style changing, with the passing of time. Further, major changes in the name of the fashion got introduced in India, with the inroad of East India Company or Britishers. They introduced Western education, added with Western culture fraught with it’s social norms and values. Gradually with the spread of British rule the fashion of them got ramified into the well – off and elite class of Indian society. As it often happens, common people try to copy the life style of upper class, so in the same fashion it went on flourishing, though with slackness.
Parallel to it, another social wave of political struggle too existed that produced some popular political leaders. The habits, deportment and clothing style of these political leaders, too made room in the life of Indian people at large ,and got followed for long. After independence, the Bombay Cine World (today’s Bollywood,) pioneered in the field of Indian fashion. The Indian Cine world, made an impact on one and all. Everything they used, was bound to be copied ,be it big or small accessorial item of fashion. Still people pursue their fashion style.
But as on today, fashion does not purport a “blind following”. Now at one stretch of time, various kinds and of different taste of fashion are registering their presence simultaneously. You may find tight trouser and loose fitting trouser, side by side being wore in the same social group. This is today’s generation brimmed with courage and confidence, to set new parameters of living. But fashion is there as always, no doubt….. Penned by– Vinay Pharasi…..
