I’ve just been reliably informed that wearing leggings in KL makes you ah lian. Am quite annoyed by this, because I love my leggings. But apparently, ‘cool’ people don’t do that.
Er, hello? So you’re saying Hollywood is not cool-lah? And New York street-fashion very ah lian is it?
Actually, this isn’t the first time I’ve been told something like this. The first year I was in New York, I happily joined the locals and donned street fashion. I loved it. It was eclectic, and funky, and there was a sense of freedom in dressing that was very new to me. It was all about self-expression. What you saw on celebs or in magazines, you could get at the stores or the street markets. And you didn’t look just like everyone else.
But when I came back to KL that summer, it was completely different. People looked at me funny and I felt self-conscious all the time. What was cool on the streets of New York city was ah lian in KL (oh, the irony!). I spent the rest of the summer in jeans and baby tees. Just like everyone else.
I realized then, that we have it all wrong. The ‘cool’ crowd, for want of a better description, are conservative and conformist. They’re the ones in the ’safe’ spaghetti strap top and jeans and the beaded necklace. Everyone looks alike. Same goes for the guys. Even now, almost a decade later, they’re still wearing the same thing, albeit slightly updated. These people are the first ones to make snide remarks about anyone who doesn’t fit their definition of cool. They pride themselves on the fact that they’re trendy and up-to-date. I should know, I used to be one of them.
But think about it. New York. Paris. Milan. Hong Kong. Tokyo. Fashion capitals all. No hint of KL in there. See what I’m getting at?
So, Hong Kong fashion…. or KL fashion? The fact that ah lians are willing to take a chance and be different makes them cooler and more fashion-forward in my book. After all, that’s what fashion’s about isn’t it? Individuality and having the confidence to be true to your own style.
I’m willing to bet my leggings there are more like-minded people out there. People who love their leggings but don’t wear them for fear of being called ah lian.
Well, so f*&king what?
It’s high time this changed. We need to stop worrying about what people think and just wear what we want. We need to stop judging people based on their outward appearance and the language they speak. And most importantly, we need to hold our heads high, and wear our leggings loud and proud!
