When I think about the culture here, it always boggles my mind. At home, you could probably wear anything you wanted to and it would be accepted as the norm. Here, it is different. Here, there are millions of rules about what you are allowed to wear, and what is culturally accepted.
Time and again, I thank my parents for bringing me up with pretty straightforward views about what I could wear. It wasn't about the style, but the modesty.(eg short skirts, low tops...) In the Bible it gives some very clear rules about what we should not wear in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness-with good works. ) Now, I am not saying that I never wear pearls or gold (false or not) don't get me wrong! what I mean is that I don't wear flashy stuff (at least I hope not) and other things that my parents and the Bible deem inappropriate to wear or immodest.
At the time, I must admit, I wasn't too excited about them. I remember secretly wanting to wear something, but not being able to. Often times Mom and Dad wouldn't outrightly say no, but usually I could tell wether or not they really liked the outfit or item I would point out, and I wouldn't want to disappoint them. My dad was probably more strict than my mom; I would ask my mom about an item and she would be okay with it but refer me to my dad for further appraisal. Many times I would return with the dejected face and attitude my mom came to know so well. Also, because of my wanting to please them regarding my wardrobe, I ended up buying many items that I never wore. ( which did not exactly please my parents ) It did change as I got older, and I either was able to inform them that I would never wear it, or my views became more compatible to theirs.
Here in Tanzania, it is different. Constantly, I am glancing myself over before leaving the house, contemplating whether or not my outfit is acceptable to wear, often times I have to change.
The rules are few, but they affect a great deal. You aren't really supposed to show your shoulder or knees in public, and it is better to cover your behind. The shoulder and knees are in deference to Muslims and other religions that take showing your shoulders or knees as a sign of disrespect. The 'showing of your behind' code of conduct (eg tight pants and short shirts) came about when our friend told us of a time when a friend of hers had tight jeans and in turn got many unwanted stares from men as she passed by.
As a result, many of my shorts and skorts (skirts with shorts sewn in) are not allowed in my wardrobe unless I wear them strictly in the house. Also tank tops that would be wonderful to wear in the hot weather here are out of the question.
Many times, the customary glance-over that I give myself, shows something that needs to be fixed, changed, or swapped. I am constantly boggled with the ever widening distance between the cultures in America and here. In America, the glance over might spring from the thought of wether your outfit looks okay or wether your top's color is flattering; Here it buds from whether it is actually possible to wear it without being culturally offensive.
By the way, I know I still need to finish my story, I just felt called to share my thoughts on this topic:)
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