The Fashionistas of Colombo

Fashion shows are back with a vengeance in Colombo. The pandemic is a forgotten story. Many shows have popped up and highlighted some great clothes.  Additionally, Fashion Stores have sprung up like wild daisies in an open field. 

Going through the photographs in the various magazine and newspaper pages and the hoard of pictures that pop up on social media makes you cringe in horror at the fashion that the majority display.  In fact, some of them are quite amusing too.  Visualize the loads of screenshots that are taken and shared amongst groups and forwarded to chat lines.  

The posers too are amusing, with many  glaring at the camera as if they have some bone issue and proudly showing off their crimped belly popping out from many a peek a boo the outfit has. Some of the older posers love to wear plunging necklines down to their navel showing off their cleavage and flashing drooping breasts. The faces are caked with make-up and on occasion when the false eyelashes have slipped off, they look like battered homemakers. 

Then you come across the couples who love to pose for the photographers in their branded clothes.   When asked where the accessories are from all the international fashion brand names are dropped. Many a good fake can be spotted among them whilst others scream fake. Sporting international brands and shamelessly bragging about them seems de rigueur. I am surprised that they have not asked for the purchase price to be published, thus indirectly announcing their full worth. 

It is another story when you meet someone who has recently retired from a banking institute.  They look at all the shameless bragging that goes on and are amused, being aware of how many of the posers are up to their neck in debt to the banks. The flashy cars they also step out of are on heavy leases whilst some are about to be confiscated by the repo man.  There is an amusing story doing the rounds of how a couple stepped out from their fancy vehicle and handed over the keys for valet parking to realize that the key had been handed to the repo guy. 
Sadly, there is nothing fashionable about the fashion scene we see in this City.  What we all wish for is that the fashionistas have some decent fashion sense, be age appropriate and stop the vulgar display of bad taste and money.

There are many fashion-conscious people with great taste and dress age appropriate.  They shun the cameras preferring to lead their lives with dignity and privacy.