My Dress My Choice: The Quest for Identity

Fashion and beauty are hot topics all over the world. In some parts of the world, people are free to dress and look as they please and in other parts of the world, dressing and lifestyle is regulated.

Dressing is a personal activity, yet attracts public interest, it is a personal activity yet with public impact. There's the tension between dressing for oneself and the social expectations of society.

Discrimination and even violence based on how a person looks and/or is dressed continues to be experienced all over the world with women bearing the brunt. Women are abused and harassed on the streets, at home and work places due to their looks and clothing choices. Why is it so hard to stop the harassment and violence? Is there some bigger force at work behind the scenes? Can it be stopped or do we just have to try our best not to be victim or else find coping mechanisms? With the majority unaware of who the real enemy is, manipulation, lies and threats come to a boiling point at different times and in diverse places like birth pangs.

In different cultures people have learnt to cope, adjust, accept, embrace, camouflage or resist the prevailing environment and its values. These questions continue to linger

• Who has the moral authority to police how people wear?
• How do we determine what is decent and what is not?
• Is it anybody's business how someone else dresses?
• What is the definition of beauty and can it be measured?
• If beauty can be measured, what is the standard used?

This book seeks to trace the origin of beauty and fashion, their purpose and expression according to the Christian worldview. This book also traces the two clashing mindsets that influence the world of fashion and the various outcomes achieved by both.