I am wtiting in support of Foxxy, who in an earlier posting supported the need for free will for the people to choose what to wear and what not to.

I will approach the issue on a cultural perspective. First, our lives revolve on the dictates of culture, that can be simply defined as a way of life, shared by a social group. The most important aspect is the fact that it is learned, dynamic and allencopassing. it does not mean that it must be traditional.

We belong to various cultures at all the circumstances, for example one can identify himself as a member of an ethnic group, as a member of a nationality, a certain village, a particular urban setting..... with different values.....(read different dressing codes) all in the same individual but at different times. It is therefore not surprising when as the saying goes...when you go to Rome, its better to dress as the Romans. Have you not seen politicians, just like the Nigerian Minister, dress in certain religious attires when they want some favors?

The point is that I dress differently when I am in my home vellage, when I am enjoying my weekends in Nairobi, when I am in the office, when I visit the church, when I am attending an interview, when I am going for a date......and this applies to everyone in various capacities and contexts......obeying the dictates of the prevailing cultural and social contexts.

I would be very surprised to see my mother, who has been brought up in a remote village cultural setting, clad in a "hip star" at home. The other day, though she is still reluctant to wear a trouser, she saw the importance of the same, after witnessing the weather conditions and social interactions in Boston... I will not blame her, if she wears one on her next visit there.

Back at home, in our urban areas our brothers and sisters are dressing in modern styles, which I fully support. The society is evolving to consider not only the practical and the overt reasons for dressing but the psychological and fashionable effects of the same.

I do not mean that we should forget our traditional codes, but we should not feel threatened by modern ways of looking at issues. Remember that though culture is dynamic, it is also static, now that we still know that we have our dressing codes....

And to those who know what I mean, in the spirit of patriotism, which is also somehow a foreign term to many....... go clad yourself in hides and skins.

It is good that Nigerians have their own 'traditional' attire, they can go ahead and wear them on Fridays, and they will tell us why not every day.

To my patriotic Kenyans, now that our politicians have other things to think about and not our dressing codes, let us tujienjoy. And to my friend John, keep trying to design a dress that will be fit for all groups.

And finally to Foxxy, keep it up men... unanijazz