How to Incorporate Culture in Clothing; Desi Diaspora Edition

     I hate the word Diaspora. To me, it signifies a disconnect from one’s culture in which they create their own culture and ideals separate from their original traditions, essentially watering them down and white-washing them. Yes, I have many bones to pick with a lot of “Pakistani immigrants” who enjoy the label immigrant even though their parents were born here and it was their grandparents who immigrated and struggled and the second-gen now continues the family tradition of celebrating Eid and Pride Month! Well, I digress. Fashion-wise, I know a lot of us immigrants struggled with our culture in terms of clothing. We want to wear jeans and shirts, much to the displeasure of our parents, but we also want to feel connected to our roots, proudly showing our heritage. How do you do both? As a part-time immigrant, I’m here to tell you what I think works. 

1. Jewellery

To elevate any outfit, you simply need to wear a bit of jewellery. I hate the new trend of wearing minimal jewellery, because you can easily look rich, well off, and elegant with a bit of gold, don’t you agree? And desi culture has no shortage of jewellery. From gold for your forehead to gold for your toes, there’s a lot of ways to wear desi jewellery. 

♡ Earrings

Depending on where you’re from in the south asian world, there are a lot of earrings you can sport. As a punjabi princess myself, I like to wear Jhumke. Small jhumkes or small earrings can elevate an outfit immediately, bonus points if it’s gold. 

♡ Bracelets

Bole chudiyaan, bole kangana “please wear me”. Just like simple earrings, simple bracelets can genuinely make you look so much more elegant. I wear gold bracelets when going to school and aside from the satisfying sound of the bangles clinking making me feel like I’m Geet from Jab We Met, it also just makes you look good. It enhances a part of your body that would otherwise be overlooked. If you don’t have a bracelet, then payals work just as fine and give more sounds if that’s what you’re looking for. 

♡ Necklaces

Now, this is for my non-hijabi girls, or hijabi girls that expertly cover their necks and still manage to wear necklaces (teach me), wearing a simple gold necklace is so so pretty! Bonus points if it’s a name necklace in Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, or Telugu, or any language you speak at home. Trust me, you look very cultured like that.

2. Bindi

If you are a non muslim, then bindi’s are perfect for you. A simple coloured dot in between your eyebrows is a great way of showing your desi culture. Seriously, it gives 2000s Bindi Babes.

3. Kajal/Kohl/Surma

Unfortunately, this is a beauty enhancer I am unable to participate in. Why? It just doesn’t look good on me! Kajal makes my eyes look smaller, and I look just weird. When I put surma on, I like to just put it in the outer corners of my eyes or give the illusion of kajal on my lower lash line using eyeliner. Also, I always use kajal on my upper lash line whenever I want to give the illusion of fuller lashes. And hey, don’t feel bad if kajal doesn’t look good on you! One of the prettiest women of Bollywood, IMO, actually looks worse with kajal: Kareena Kapoor. Compare her look in K3G to her in Jab We Met. She looks gorgeous in both, but there’s a reason why people say that Miss Pooja herself is an icon. Her clothes, and her makeup. In K3G, Kareena does the same thing I just said, she uses what looks to be brown eyeshadow on her lower lash line to give the illusion of Kajal whilst not actually wearing it. 

Kareena in K3G

Kareena in Jab we Met

So just find what looks best on you and go with it! Side note, I miss you Bebo!

4. Kurta’s

Now this is something I wholly attribute to Geet, it was a trend before her, but I genuinely think of her whenever I wear a kurta over jeans. This fusion combines the elegance and tradition of the kurta with the casual, contemporary feel of jeans, creating a versatile and stylish look. The juxtaposition makes a great look. Cargo’s work just as well!

    Embrace these dynamic approaches to fashion, and let your wardrobe be a testament to your rich heritage and global sensibility.

    Should I make a part two?