Look, I Need to Rant About This
So, I was at this conference in Austin last Tuesday, right? And I saw this woman wearing a kimono. Not a traditional one, mind you, but one of those cheap, mass-produced things you can find at any old souvenir shop. And I thought to myself, “Oh, here we go again.”
You see, I’ve been in the fashion industry for over 20 years. I’ve seen trends come and go. But this one, this cultural appropriation thing, it’s not a trend. It’s a problem. And it’s getting worse.
Let’s call her Marcus. Marcus is a colleague of mine, a fellow editor. She’s great, don’t get me wrong. But she’s also one of those people who thinks that because something is “cute” or “aesthetic,” it’s fair game to wear. She told me once, “I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s just a piece of clothing.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it’s not just a piece of clothing, Marcus. It’s a symbol. It’s a story. It’s a culture.
And that’s where I think we need to draw the line. We can’t just take what we want from other cultures and claim it as our own. It’s disrespectful. It’s ignorant. And it’s got to stop.
But Wait, There’s More
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But what about fusion fashion? What about cultural exchange?” Look, I’m all for that. I love seeing different cultures come together and create something new and beautiful. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Take, for example, the kimono. It’s a traditional Japanese garment with a rich history and deep cultural significance. It’s not just a piece of cloth with some pretty prints on it. It’s a symbol of Japanese identity and heritage. And when we, as non-Japanese people, wear it as a fashion statement, we’re not just appropriating a piece of clothing. We’re appropriating a piece of history. A piece of culture. A piece of identity.
And that’s not okay.
I remember this one time, about three months ago, I was having coffee with a friend named Dave. He’s a historian, specializes in East Asian cultures. And he told me something that stuck with me. He said, “You know, when you wear a kimono, you’re not just wearing a piece of clothing. You’re wearing a piece of someone else’s history. And if you don’t understand that history, if you don’t respect it, then you have no business wearing it.”
And he’s right. We have no business wearing these garments if we don’t understand their significance. If we don’t respect their history. If we don’t honor their culture.
So What Can We Do?
First things first, we need to educate ourselves. We need to learn about the cultures we’re borrowing from. We need to understand the significance of the garments we’re wearing. And we need to do this before we even think about putting them on.
Second, we need to support the original creators. We need to buy from them, not from mass-produced, cheap knockoffs. We need to give them the credit and the money they deserve. And if we can’t find the original creators, then maybe, just maybe, we should reconsider our fashion choices.
Third, we need to be mindful of our intentions. Are we wearing this garment because we appreciate its culture and history? Or are we wearing it because it’s “trendy” or “cute”? If it’s the latter, then we need to take a step back and reevaluate our priorities.
And finally, we need to listen. We need to listen to the people from these cultures. We need to hear their stories, their experiences, their opinions. And we need to respect them. Even if we don’t agree with them. Even if we don’t understand them. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about us. It’s about them.
I think, probably, the most important thing we can do is to be respectful. Respect the culture, respect the history, respect the people. Because fashion is more than just clothes. It’s a form of expression. It’s a form of identity. And it’s a form of respect. Or at least it should be.
Oh, and one more thing. If you’re gonna wear a kimono, or any other cultural garment, make sure you know how to wear it properly. (which honestly nobody asked for but here we are). I saw this girl once, at a festival, wearing a kimono inside out. It was completley disrespectful. It’s like wearing a tuxedo backwards. It just doesn’t make sense.
So, yeah. That’s my rant. That’s my take on cultural appropriation in fashion. It’s a big topic, I know. And I’m not saying I have all the answers. But I do know this: we need to do better. We need to be better. Because fashion is a powerful tool. And we need to use it responsibly.
And hey, if you’re looking for some guidance on how to make more informed fashion choices, check out this product reviews recommendation guide. It’s not directly related, but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to make more conscious decisions.
Anyway, that’s all from me. I’m gonna go now. I’ve said my piece. And I hope, I mean really hope, that maybe, just maybe, someone out there will listen.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. I’ve seen it all, from the rise of fast fashion to the current trend of sustainable and ethical fashion. I’m passionate about using fashion as a tool for good, and I’m not afraid to call out those who use it for harm. When I’m not editing, you can find me thrifting, reading, or spending time with my cats, Whiskers and Miso.
