Priyanka Chopra's “disrespectful†dress became the topic of conversation, with many commenting on how it “insulted†PM Modi.
Of late, Priyanka Chopra’s sartorial choices have been coming under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. First, it was her MET Gala dress for which she became an object of trolls, and now it’s her “leg-baring” dress, which she wore while meeting PM Narendra Modi in Berlin. The controversy began after PC posted a photo with NaMo, thanking him “for taking the time from his packed schedule” to meet her. It didn’t take long though, before the “disrespectful” dress became the topic of conversation, with many commenting on how it “insulted” PM Modi.
Retired lieutenant and an image consultant and enhancer, Rita Gangwani quotes, ‘Before we speak, our image speaks’ and adds, “There’s always a protocol when you meet a dignitary. Lots of things are considered before picking up a dress for such a formal occasion — the profile of the dignitary, culture, age, etc. I found Priyanka to be very casually dressed but maybe she rushed straight from her shooting or an event in excitement before giving a second thought to her attire. It happens with most of us. It’s her right to wear what she wants to.”
PC responded by posting a picture of her mother and her wearing short dresses, and captioned it “legs for the day”.
There’s nothing wrong with the concept of dress code, given it solves a specific social or functional need than just for the purpose of “morals” which are highly subjective to an individual’s values, asserts fashion watcher and blogger, Arie Purushu. He further says, “Indian constitution at least doesn’t specify any particular length of the dress and our civil laws guarantee Priyanka the freedom of choice to wear what she wore. Taking on Priyanka for wearing a short dress in what looks like an informal meeting between two public figures only throws light on the dark side of having a democratic platform to voice the opinion. Culture evolves, clothing evolves and it’s important for our minds to evolve accordingly.”
Zohra Chitalwala, etiquette expert and image consultant, feels that the way the picture was taken has exposed her legs, which may not be deemed fit by viewers. “I agree that her sitting posture could’ve been better; she was sitting with her legs crossed. When you are in a formal setup and you are wearing a skirt or a dress, it is always advisable to knot your ankles and lock them. Her neckline wasn’t plunging, and she was wearing a full sleeves dress, which was ideal for that setup. What should also be noted is that Priyanka was in Berlin and not in India. It is always safe to dress conservatively while you are meeting dignitaries; not showing the skin always helps. Priyanka isn’t dressed inappropriately at all and the outrage is not justified.”
Our Prime Minister doesn’t go in a Dhoti Kurta to address climate change to Antarctica, remarks, Leepakshi Ellawadi, costume designer, celebrity stylist and wardrobe consultant. She asks, “How can something so non-essential even become an issue and people find time to troll someone’s choice of clothing and relate it to her value quotient?”
Explaining the guidelines on the appropriate dress code, Rita lastly, shares, “It is always better to be too dressed up than too dressed down. While meeting a high-level personality, it’s best to mirror what he or she will wear, which will likely be a tailored suit and power colours instead of casual prints. Conservative look is often the best choice for such meetings, regardless of gender. If one wears a skirt it’s best to double-check on the length of the hem. One must remember that on such occasions there will be other dignitaries or media personals in attendance. Expect that there will also be lots of pictures taken, and it’s always better to let the head rule the heart. Another thing to keep in mind is whether you are meeting the dignitary at their residence or in a foreign land, where they themselves are trying to follow a certain dress code.”
