What Dress are You Listening to?

Our world is a spectrum of colours - we are always surrounded by colours. So much so that we have evolved to associate colours with different cues and information. The colours on brand logos, national flags and road signs can guide us when we are faced with making certain decisions. In many ways, colours are a form of non-verbal communication.

The story of the coat of many colours is one of the most popular bible stories. It revolves around Joseph, a biblical character who received a special gift in the form of a colourful coat from his father. The coat of many colours was a beautiful drape of cotton but it was the assumption or meaning behind its colourful nature that made Joseph’s brother envious of his gift. 

If you read the story of Joseph comprehensively, you will realize that Joseph’s gift was more than a gesture of his father’s love for him. It was a forecast of Joseph’s leadership over his brothers. Without anyone having to say it, the colours on Joseph’s coat communicated this information to his brothers. 

In this issue’s look book, I’m wearing a Mix Floral Handkerchief-Hem dress - from Topshop. Everything about the dress - the colours and floral patterns - scream spring. This spring,  allover floral prints and Handkerchief-hems are in  - and the more colourful they are, the better.  

From its round neck, short sleeves, back cutout to the hanky hem at the bottom, the dress showcases a range of colours mixed with floral patterns. Together, this makes a winning combination that gives off a fun but yet unconventional look and matches the free-spirited nature of the springtime. 

Spring is the colour season. The season accentuates the beauty and colours of nature and in many ways, causes our homes to brighten up. It doesn’t stop there - spring is also blossoming season. The grasses get greener and the tree branches get full as the leaves and flowers begin to sprout. These are the unique features of the spring season and this dress embodies them completely. 

Robert Hardman, Queen Elizabeth II’s biographer once quoted her as saying “I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.”

For the Queen, colours are an expression of freedom and elegance. Similarly, the colours and floral prints on the dress symbolize elegance, sophistication and femininity. With the gloom of the winter season behind us, springtime allows us to showcase the best parts of ourselves including our personality. Now is the time for our elegance and beauty to shine through all the noise that may be around us. Now is the time to fully and freely express ourselves - as can be deduced by the free-flowing nature of the dress’ handkerchief hemline on this dress. 

There is no denying the fact that the hemline gives the dress a whimsical vibe that is perfect for springtime. The unevenness of the hem makes it feel effortlessly flirty and easy to throw on. Even more, it adds a flattering drape, especially over the hips. Personally, I love the way the patterns on the dress swirl subtlety around the hips and meets the back cutout at a perfect angle above the waistline. It is a playful twist on an already-fun dress. 

Handkerchiefs are said to have been invented by a British royal - King Richard II of England - in the 14th century. However, the handkerchief hem style didn’t make its way into the mainstream fashion world until the early 20th century when it appeared on loose-fitting flapper dresses. Back then, flapper dresses were considered to be too eccentric for women. In an era when the limitations on the rights and freedom of women extended to their appearance, young women who wore such dresses were easily dismissed, shunned and challenged. 

Nevertheless, the evolution of the handkerchief hemline dragged on and by the 90s, it was a staple springtime dress design. Two decades later, this hem is still making a bold statement today and that statement might be louder this year than it has been in recent years. With the realities of the world around us, now is not the time to fold and hide our best features. No. Now is the time to be free. 

Just like Joseph’s coat of many colours, the colours and hemline on this dress mean more that they look. They are making a statement and it’s up to us to listen. 

I’m listening to the Hankerchief-hemline dress this spring. What dress are you listening to?