Fashion Revisited

Prompt: The Daily Topic: "At the time, did you think it was dumb or that it was cool? Write about a time you wore an outfit or costume you now realize was ridiculous."

I always thought it was highly dumb, probably the most foolish outfit I have ever worn in my life…

I had finished my schooling and entered college. As newcomers, my friends and I were always running away from getting ragged by seniors. Nevertheless, we were finally caught. The first day went off decently with only singing for them. I should say decently as singing and dancing does not consitute the term 'harassment'. After some singing, jokes and poetry sessions (about which I knew nothing) and dancing, we were left off for the day. Since it was just the beginning there was hardly any studying and the lecturers too were settling in for the term.

Finally the bell rang, and we were mighty pleased that it was the end of the day. But we didn’t know what followed. Before we left the classroom, we were told: “Guys, for tomorrow, you have a dress code – tie up your hair soaked in oil and wear a salwar kurta. But remember, the salwar, kurta and chunni should not be of the same color.” When we heard about it we thought it was ridiculous, but then probably even if one wears different colors, you can still pull it off. But that was not to be. They all had to be of colors which don’t match.

I came back home and told my mom about it. She began laughing and couldn’t stop. Finally she suggested wearing white, orange and green. Not too bad. The day arrived and I got ready. When I finished dressing, I couldn’t stop laughing and cursing the seniors. I was looking funny. Traveling to college was by public transportation – bus. But that day, I got after my dad and asked him to drop me and pick me up. Anyhow, when we all reached college, we were obviously the laughing stock by spectators who were not only other girls, but professors too. They all knew it was a part of ragging, but we were all looking so silly that we all just ran off to our class and were inside the whole day. Finally the day ended again, but this time it was different. We had made friends with our seniors who were extremely nice people. They assured us help in our class notes and otherwise if we ever needed them in college.

Ironically, the bad day ended with new formed relationships which were to last a lifetime.