Death by Tradition

008-People We Know
Originally uploaded by gingerpig2000

Continuing on from the previous entry, we decided to show you how people we know of our age dress: it was a difficult task as Ania has little of the kinds of clothes we needed.

Some of the media bang on how bad it is that there is so much pressure to appear young, but care little about the pressure to conform to dressing to suit one's age, ensuring that one is not judged for who you are, but the age you are.

Middle-age, Middle-class (f)Arty: As our home city here in Poland has several universities, there are large numbers of the Polish middle class and middle-class wannabees who, once over 40-45 abandon any sense of style and dive into the 'elegancka' , with beaked hat, scarf thrown over on shoulder, shapeless trousers (usually black), moccasin style pumps and a straight sided coat down almost to the ankles. Indoors, the coat and scarf come off to reveal pearls and either a blouse or a twin set. They gather at theatres, symposia and other social events and bore you endlessly with their talk about money, the spending and saving of it.

the Nun: dark, shapeless colours to conceal a body society has taught them to be ashamed of. The clothes hang off breasts encased in a too-small bra that is too loosely fitted. The neckline, well, that is known as a 'decolletage'... Rather than concealing the body, the hard-edged shape makes the wearer look bigger, unless one stands in a darkened area. Black, we hear, makes one look younger - but it emphasises silhouette and ensures that any wrinkles stand out.

Grandma: The essential ingredient is the blouse, preferably well buttoned up. here we present the festive version, red instead of the uniform white. Hair is best put through the roller treatment and never more than collar length, or pulled hard back. Long hair, we hear, makes you look older - but instead you can estimate how old someone is by the shortness of the hair. Note the amber necklace.

my Wife. Hair to soften her features, cleavage to distract, the right size and properly fitted bra, modern necklace, cardigan to emphasise her curves and stay warm, and a smile.