It is time to dress sustainably

 Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak 
Opinion - New Straits Times 
February 11, 2023 

A batik collection on display. When it comes to dressing, the female persona is more creative and traditional. - NSTP file pic

The "dress down" recommendation/instruction is long overdue.

Although some attributed it to the pandemic, for many of us, it is closely associated with the issues of sustainability, which began some three decades ago.

More so now that it is manifesting into global warming and a climate crisis, where outfits like suits and ties seem to be a huge contradiction, literally, in the tropics. Advocating sustainable futures while sporting unsustainable garb makes little sense, if any.

Still, others viewed suits and ties figuratively as a "colonial leash" of some sort. In particular, the useless and expensive piece of cloth wrapped around the neck into a colonial knot. In many official gatherings, especially in Parliament, one cannot get by without them. Speaking about being sovereign? 

So, it is time to dress down, but also to dress sustainably. That means going national and traditional as well since it is also about culture, norms and values. It is only proper to promote our values on par with the rest of the civilised world.

On the contrary, ours tend to be a collection of dull-designed suits and ties with some purported "brand names" that cost many times more than the vibrant local batik.

Let us be authentic by combining national and traditional offering in one push. For example, batik with a cekak musang collar is equivalent to the traditional Indian (Nehru) or Chinese (Mao) collars in one fashion. In fact, cekak musang is more environmentally friendly than musang king — a globally recognised brand!

If, for some reason, a suit-like garment is necessary, let us redesign one based on the robe of the hulubalang of the ancient royal houses. It is more appropriate for royal ceremonies than the tired colonised versions!

We have enough inspiration to create our own styles. A pair of socks is another piece of useless clothing that goes unnoticed. Like the colonial knot, the colonial footglove is irrelevant to our cultural context in general. If gloves are not needed for the hands, even for royalties, why the feet? In a sweaty and humid tropical climate, worn in closed shoes. Our ladies cleverly dismissed both, despite wearing open footwear, unless for specific reasons.

What are the men's excuses, apart from being colonial stereotypes? When it comes to dressing, the female persona is more creative and traditional, particularly when it comes to Malay and Indian fashions, as well as some indigenous ones.

Their dressing is closer to home, befitting the cultural and sustainable practices locally. A special mention should be made of Peranakan and individuals such as Hannah Yeoh (as a person, not as an MP), who can be seen wearing well-chosen baju kurung.

Be that as it may, the bottom line is this: if we fail to drop a garment that is alien to our being, then it is almost unimaginable to change, let alone transform, that which is internal to us, namely our mindsets and worldviews. More so in the academy, where "colonial" norms and behaviours (such as ranking) are still alive and well! Just as well, the minister alluded to high arts and high touch in his amanat just last week. It's time to decolonise education too!

The writer, an NST columnist for more than 20 years, is International Islamic University Malaysia rector

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times