Uttarakhand’s newly appointed Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat’s objectionable statement on women wearing ripped jeans has irked people all across the nation.
Responding to this, women have taken to social media to assert that nobody is entitled to judge anyone on the basis of their clothes.
Rawat said that due to a lack of values, youngsters today are following strange fashion trends and consider themselves to be big shots after wearing jeans that are ripped at the knees. The chief minister added that young people go to the market to buy ripped jeans and added that if they can’t find one, they cut their jeans using scissors. He went on to describe the attire of a woman who sat next to him on a flight – she was wearing boots, jeans ripped at the knees and several bangles in her hands.
“Two children were traveling with her. She runs an NGO, goes out in society, but she wears jeans ripped at the knees. What values will she impart?” he objected.
Hats Off To Our Leaders Who Never Fail To Show Their Degraded Mentality! “Women Wearing Ripped Jeans Can’t Provide Right Environment At Home For Children”, Says Tirath Singh Rawat, Chief Minister, #Uttarakhand. pic.twitter.com/TAssYOAamz
— Youth Against Rape ® (@yaifoundations) March 17, 2021
But the question is, does it really create bad ideals? To understand this let’s delve into the history of bottom wear.
It was in the 1970s when the trend of distressed denim had found its way into the punk culture in the US. Prior to this, ripped jeans were associated with the working class who couldn’t afford to buy new pair of jeans and wore them even after they were worn out. Right then the famous rock band Sex Pistols had ingrained British Punk ideology to fight against the status quo and conservative form of government. The movement tore apart consumer goods as a symbol of revolt and expression of anger towards society and denim then became one of the main targets for the politically fueled deconstruction. Men and women started wearing torn jackets and jeans adorned with pins and slogans.
During the period in North America, the ripped jean started to become a fashion statement pioneered by cultural phenomena such as Iggy Pop who claims to be one of the first to start this trend.
Although the ripped jeans were a subculture phenomenon, by the 90s, the trend became very popular and was accepted by a wide variety of cultural influencers from Kurt Cobain to Hip Hop, cementing its place as a mainstream fashion piece. With its wide acceptance, the ripped jeans’ political past became muted.
It has been making a comeback with the resurgence of 90s grunge in fashion trends.
Now, mainstream apparel brands are bound to follow the fashion statements as per consumer demand. So, the ball ultimately stops at their court.
With globalization, US citizens have been seen wearing sarees on the red carpet and so an Indian woman is equally free to wear the ripped jeans. No law stops them from doing so.
What about men wearing the same and also shorts and walking bare-bodied till waist? Why is that not a point of controversy?
If one argues that a woman is subject to crime for revealing clothes then there have been several studies across the nation and world which reveal that most women who are subject to assault are actually well dressed.
And if it’s about setting an example for kids, then why not create a less judgmental world for them to look up to than just caring about mere clothes?
It is understood that if a child sees a certain thing from a young age, they are likely to replicate it, and imparting respect for indigenous garments is a quintessential thing. But that can be done along with respect for other cultures. We are now living in a global nation.
What is your take on this?