Do you feel guilty for being interested in fashion and clothes?

If you were asked about your hobbies, would you be confident to say ‘fashion’ or ‘clothes shopping’? For a large portion of women there is a reluctance to declare these things as enjoyable hobbies as it might make them appear superficial, materialistic and frivolous.

One lady from India, in discussing this with her father, heard about the struggle he had growing up. When her father was young he had three identical school uniforms and that was all the clothes he owned. There was no money for extra clothes or even as an option for clothes to wear out.

Stories like these coupled with guilt over the clothing industries manufacturing practices continue to drive feelings of shame.

Rarely will someone feel embarrassed to admit that they have spent $50 for a pot of varnish that they used to restore an antique coffee table. Or a few hundred dollars on a gym membership or gym equipment. However, spending on clothing is seen as high maintenance and over indulgent and too much money and time is being spent on clothing, makeup and skin care.

Very rarely is there criticism of the time spent watching, playing and enjoying sport or even culinary pursuits. Fashion however does draw the criticism of being not worthy.

Is there a gender element to the criticism? Hobbies that are traditionally male dominated are seen as cool and get the ‘You go girl’. But the hobby of clothing that is female by tradition in the last hundred years is seen as indulgent and vain. We do need to remind ourselves that in the past men dominated fashion and it carried a lot more status and seriousness.

The criticism of spending too much money or time should not be levelled against anyone’s pastime as long as the pastime is not sending them bankrupt or taking away from family or work commitments.

As you come to terms with this conundrum in your own way I encourage you to understand your style and colouring so that when you do spend your time enjoying your clothes you do it with the absolute enjoyment that this wonderful artistic, essential, expressive hobby can bring you.