https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:52:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2034466 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 01:22:46 +0000 Becky 2034466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So much wisdom here. I agree that you've been given a lovely gift, and enjoying it without guilt is surely the most gracious action possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2034050 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 20:17:19 +0000 fricobatman 2034050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*have said. Plus, as said earlier, the American audience who may be outraged need to understand the difference between cultural exploitation and cultural sharing. It is not for the American audience to decide in this case what to be outraged about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2034049 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 20:16:58 +0000 fricobatman 2034049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Surely upsetting Indians (seeing as the clothes are part of their heritage/culture) is what you don’t want to do, and how the American audience feels is irrelevant? From what you age said, no Indians will be upset by your actions. </p> <p>I am of Indian descent. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2034010 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:41:00 +0000 Freckles 2034010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think a few words of acknowledgement is a lovely touch but not needed to be culturally appropriate.<br />I assume you're inviting family and loved ones to your festivities and they would be honoured to be included and excited to see what kind of invitation you send out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033282 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:40:26 +0000 Jaime 2033282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that a few words of explanation would be an excellent solution. An interesting topic - cultural exploitation vs cultural sharing. You might know it when you see it but it is hard to define. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033277 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:55:15 +0000 StyleDetective 2033277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think wearing the outfits is a lovely way to honour the gift from your team. I think if you get any questions or comments, the answer that you've given here should be more than enough to satisfy people that you haven't done wrong in choosing to wear a sari. Of if possible you can shut it down early by including captions as others have suggested.</p> <p>I have a dress made from a repurposed secondhand sari (from <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/53409945554709809/">this maker</a>&nbsp;though my dress is a different colour). I guess there is an argument that it is cultural appropriation, but at the same time, the people who have loved it most have been Indian taxi drivers! It has started some great conversations about their background and their family, how the women dress where they grew up, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033276 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:52:30 +0000 elpgal 2033276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another person of Indian descent - agree with Sal 100% </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033260 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:56:09 +0000 Anonymous 2033260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, definitely caption the photos and acknowledge the beautiful gifts from your team! In my experience, people enjoy sharing their cultures with people that appreciate them. To me cultural appropriation is ripping off native designers or otherwise treating a group with disrespect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033256 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:39:41 +0000 Anonymous 2033256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreeing that Firecracker has the answer. A picture tells a thousand words but a few extra words might ward off some unwanted ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033254 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:35:50 +0000 Carla 2033254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a beautiful gift to you from your work family, Kristen W. Firecracker provides the perfect solution and I bet your team will appreciate the acknowledgement. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033248 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 23:25:21 +0000 Alexandra 2033248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, it’s not cultural appropriation. It was a gift from your team in India. But I think your question is less about whether it truly would be cultural appropriation and more about how it would be received. And the answer to that is that it depends on who’s getting your invitations. Are you sending them to people who are looking to be offended or outraged by anything and everything? Or are you sending them to people whose mindset is on the drama-free side of the spectrum? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033225 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 22:34:53 +0000 Wise Shopper 2033225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't see anything inappropriate at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033208 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:37:58 +0000 Roxanna 2033208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Being of Indian descent myself, I don't think it's offensive in the least and have often given Saris or suits to friends attending a family Indian wedding. I think the caption idea is a good one in case you want to head off any debate. But to me it's a lovely example of cultures coming together. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033207 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:31:42 +0000 NancyW 2033207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have so many questions about what cultural appropriation really means. You are not wearing this clothing as a costume or as a way of pretending to be born to a particular culture. Wearing a gift is such a lovely gesture to the giver. A caption on each photo would be lovely: why the place or clothing is meaningful. If using a caption for one photo I would use a caption for each one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033205 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:24:30 +0000 ophelia 2033205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My personal opinion: I don't think it's cultural appropriation in the slightest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033203 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 21:16:38 +0000 Sal 2033203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it is a lovely thing if it is authentic to you and your life - which it is. Is it the only picture or not? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033177 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:15:54 +0000 LaPed 2033177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the idea of adding a photo caption inside the invitation; a little bit of context will go a long way, I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033167 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 19:52:38 +0000 Cardiff girl 2033167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I m not American but I can’t say that I d have any problems with it and if you are making some people very happy by doing it,and it sounds like you would,then if it’s what you would like to do I would go for it .l think not doing things because of what other people might think is a slippery slope.l understand it’s because you are a nice person who doesn’t wish to cause offence but I hardly think that this would be a reason to be offended.Would you be offended if your Indian friends sent out similar invites with themselves dressed in western style?No ,probably not! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033166 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 19:52:15 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2033166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really know. But I wonder if you could include, maybe inside front cover of the card, a photo caption that acknowledges your friends' gift of the beautiful attire. Perhaps also credit the photographer, if the photo was taken by a friend. That could head off negative impressions people might have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033145 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 18:49:32 +0000 Kristin W 2033145@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much rachylou - that's exactly the kind of advice I need.&nbsp; I don't care about the fashion police so much as ending up on some sort of "worst cultural offenders" site as a what not to wear example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033143 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 18:42:14 +0000 rachylou 2033143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So I am from a very diverse town. Lots of shops. Lots of cultural exchange. I had a salwar kameez and brought it to wear in the Caribbean. My cousin’s husband is of Indian descent. He found it surprising I was wearing ‘ancient Indian clothing.’ As opposed to modern Carribean fashion. My fam... these are people who are ‘why are you wearing a one-piece bath suit?’ people, lol.</p> <p>I personally am not on the fashion police bandwagon. I would have no problem with anyone wearing, for example, a cheong sam. </p> <p>That said, I’d be prepared for the fashion police. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wearing-gifts-from-indian-friends---cultural-appropriation#post-2033133 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 18:20:36 +0000 Kristin W 2033133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Everyone!&nbsp; I'm desperately seeking help with a cultural appropriation question.&nbsp; I am getting married soon.&nbsp; I have a team in India who brought me the most amazing sari with a matching outfit for my fiance and who took pictures of us wearing them while they were here.&nbsp; I'd like to use one of the pictures on my wedding invitations.&nbsp; Is that cultural appropriation?&nbsp; These are genuine clothes which were made by people in India and given to me by Indian friends.&nbsp; The profits went directly to the makers in India - not to an American exploiting the styles.&nbsp; My friends in India said they'd be delighted if I did, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be received well by a largely American audience.&nbsp; Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.&nbsp; I've been stewing over this for months!</p> <p>Thanks ahead!</p> <p>Kristin </p>