The compliment of sorts I got few days back - Barbie Boy! I was pondering over the fact that this indeed is an ingenious attempt to describe the wannabe me– Barbie boy(not Ken)! Haha!
Our generation goes overboard in the fashion department - constantly vying for attention.
Let me further explain and elaborate on my point of view.
Have you seen an “otherwise sweet” girl-next-door deliberately wearing a deep cut top allowing a willing peek-a-boo session of her upper torso? Or, a guy enhancing his crotch appearance (yes, there are ways) and making it look fuller or harder?
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| Pic - advancedetiquette.com |
While these attempts are more physical and anatomical in nature, there are far more serious so-called fashion crimes that people commit to attract attention. Like for instance, men wearing ostentatiously feminine clothes or women wearing bare minimal or transparent fabrics (like in the pic above); or, either of the sexes wearing outlandish (like alien-wear?)! Better still, have you noticed how some people would wear ill-fitting, tight or body hugging outfits with all the flesh hanging out? It’s funny, I tell you!
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| Pic-sockshop.co.uk |
Frankly, in my attempt to look fashionable, I do too go overboard at times. I do too, get carried away, and I too, crave for attention and look for approval. But only more subtly!
It’s basic human nature. We are living in a very competitive world and as global has become local - all thanks to the internet, there is not much scope left to live in oblivion and obscurity. Everyone wants to look their best and show their best to the world. Their best may not be the best to others though and that actually becomes fodder to gossipy dissection.
So Barbie boy may refer to such a gossipy dissection of my fashion sense. What is funny is the gender used. It could have been KEN, but someone chose "Barbie boy" instead - probably most befitting my personality and state of being at this time!
Hmmm, was it the sheer fabric shirt (paired with shortest of shorts) I wore which was all see-through?? God knows!
But I am a guy who is unfazed by comments and nothing deters me from doing what I want to do, act the way I want to and wear what I intend to. And this is the quality that my generation has invented, not inherited. While some tilt towards exhibitionism as a way to announce their freedom of thought and action and, self-display; others like me are trying hard to find a balance between extremes, orchestrating an attempt to look fashionable and yet, normal and acceptable.
I have never been more happier about my shape as I am now and showing how much I worked out to get here (could be short lived since I put on weight like "snap") is a boon I'm enjoying till it lasts!
Updated April 30th -> Also, read more about this contest, something interesting -
Design a T-shirt for Kylie Minogue and Dolce & Gabbana
WHAT IT IS - This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognized by the global music sensation Kylie Minogue and fashion legends, Dolce & Gabbana. The selected design will be produced on a t-shirt which will be signed by Kylie and then worn by her in an official photographic shoot and featured on
www.kylie.com,
www.dolcegabbana.it and
www.swide.com.
-Amit Anand
