02.02.11 Your Office Is Not a Fashion Show – Mind How You Dress!

33. Oh! My Beloved ‘Designer’ Garment

The posh black Hummer sped through the country-side, on a rough road that led to where Stefano’s grandmother lived.  As the dust rose in the car’s wake, Stefano could not help but remember his favourite land marks which had stuck to memory since he was a little boy.  He had used that ‘all so-familiar’ route each day, to and from the local village school.

Stefano’s mother had died at child birth; necessitating that he be brought up by his grandmother.  Fate had turned to fortune when he passed his primary exams so well, winning a scholarship to one of the best secondary schools.  However, this had meant leaving grandma.  Stefano could still vividly recall how he had cried vehemently the day his dad came to collect him.  But God must have heard grandma’s prayers, for Stefano’s excellent grades had earned him other scholarships; culminating into a PhD and a lecturer’s job in Britain.

However, one of the greatest blessings had come through his sweetheart Bena.  They had met when at University; and Stefano had known that she would be his wife as soon as he set his eyes on her glowing beauty.  So when Stefano’s dad called two weeks ago requesting that the young man flies his fiancée home to see grandma, Stefano was convinced that grandma would approve of his ‘bride-to-be’.  

As Stefano mused on all that, Bena was going through some similar thoughts as she sat on the back seat.  Although of the same nationality as Stefano, Bena had been born and bred in Paris.  She also, had fallen in love with Stefano from the word go; saying yes to his marriage proposal with no hesitation.  The idea of meeting Stefano’s relatives was something she had always looked forward too, and felt really privileged that his grandma could throw a welcoming luncheon for them.  This being the first time that she was meeting these ‘in-laws to be’, she and her friends had spent time window-shopping for attires that would show that Bena was a befitting bride for Stefano.  She remembered one of her friends advising that Bena tells Stefano what she would be wearing, but Bena had preferred to surprise her honey.

On arriving at grandma’s, they were greeted with loud ululations.  It was amazing to see that so many relatives had gathered for the occasion.

As Stefano and Bena had been travelling for a while, they freshened up first, removing travel clothes and changing into garments for the luncheon.  Stefano had chosen a dark brown linen shirt with African designs and a pair of cool cream denims to match.  

However, Bena had settled for something ‘designer’: a sleek, pencil-shape black dress that showed off her wonderful figure; exposing her rounded shoulders and upper chest area, while flattering her long gazelle-like neck.  To complete the vogue look was a cute slit on the front of the garment, which opened teasingly as she walked.  

The function went very well; happy faces, serene music and a wide array of foods.  The atmosphere was so enjoyable that the late afternoon hours came earlier than expected; and guests started saying bye, one after another.  When almost all the visitors had departed, Stefano suggested that Bena goes to rest; while he catches up with his grandma.

No sooner had Bena left when Stefano’s aunties surrounded him with expressions of “we need to speak to you urgently”.  As soon as the hugs were through, they sat Stefano down.

“So how is London”, one of the aunties asked.  But as Stefano responded, he could tell that ‘London’ was not the purpose for their urgency.  One of the eldest aunties asked, “Do you really know this girl, my son?”  Then they proceeded with warnings on how women could hide their true colours.  They then went to the crux of the matter – Bena’s clothes; complaining that she had been almost naked, which had served to reveal how indecent she really was.  “That was most disrespectful; a well-brought-up girl wouldn’t dress like that before her in-laws”, they said with much alarm.  Stefano argued politely that Bena had no bad intentions, but the aunties were adamant insisting that ‘actions speak louder than words’.  To crown it all, they concluded their lecture by insisting that Bena was not the right wife for him.

I referred to this story when talking about ‘dress code’ with some employees recently.  Apparently, some employees were turning up with attires that would cause customers to raise their eye brows.  We agreed that an employee’s appearance could determine one’s image; and that when our outfits conflict with what customers expect, we risk being disrespected and misunderstood.  One lady commented, “Joy, but it is not all about one’s outward appearance”.  “You are right”, I responded; “but unfortunately, many people commit the sin of judging books from covers.  And since we may never get the opportunity to prove them wrong, their opinion could cost us”.  I know that sounds unfair… but who said that the world was fair? Welcome to this planet!