Kate and William in India

[Stickyuptail]

I’m wondering Why they (and other royals on visits to different countries) are rigged out in versions of traditional styles of dress? William in a sherwani and Kate in a dresses based on traditional shalwar kameez.

Why Is doing this seen as a respectful nod towards the country they’re visiting and not cultural appropriation? If I started a thread saying I’m white British visiting Pakistan should I wear shalwar kameez and DH a sherwani wouldn’t the majority of replies be on the lines of ‘why would you? It’s not yours to adopt’. Surely it would be better for royals to wear their normal on duty outfits? I don’t understand why this is a ‘thing.’

It’s a way of being respectful and I bet they enjoy it. Kate looked wonderful in her evening dress and as for the local, colourful transport...what fun!

I thought they were in Pakistan?

They are in Pakistan.

Funnily enough, I thought the same. The royals have always done it though so presume it's a mark of respect.

They are in Pakistan but anyway it is respectful and a nod to the country they are visiting cultural appropriation would be if they randomly wore the clothes to a dinner in England with non Pakistani people.

She's respectfully dressing as the women in Pakistan do, she's covered down to her ankles and wrists and has her head covered sometimes too. The cultural dress is correctly adopted (she is in pakistan) and therefore is not cultural appropriation.
I wore traditional items of clothing to a Mendi once, would you class that as cultural appropriation? What about all of the food we buy and make from other countries? Is this cultural appropriation?
I think you'd have to try very hard to be offended by this.

I forgot Imran Khan was prime minister I was shocked to see him

Thanks sorry I didn’t realise the trip was to Pakistan only. I think the clothes they’ve worn so far are stunning but am still wondering how it’s respectful to wear something that isn’t part of their culture. If they were in an African country would it be ok for Kate to wear her hair in cornrows or box braids as a mark of respect as long as she didn’t wear it like that back in the UK?

I would imagine the best way for her to look glamorous while being appropriate at the same time is to wear clothes modelled on what is worn locally.

I’m not offended. I accept that it would be disrespectful to not dress modestly in Pakistan but that’s entirely possible without actually wearing someone else’s traditional dress. And William always has his legs, shoulders covered and dresses appropriate to the setting so why not wear a suit rather than a sherwani.

Cornrows is a way to wear afro hair so I don't think kate would be doing her hair with cornrows. Prince Charles can't wait to get his kilt on when he comes to Scotland it's the same thing although your average Scot won't wear a kilt

Cultural appropriation is bullshit. I love when Kate gets dressed up in green with a big bunch of Shamrock for Paddy's day.

I'm Asian and let me tell you, every time I've seen someone non-Asian wear an Asian outfit, I can't help but smile- it's nice to see someone doing the reverse of what I do everyday. And, having visited Pakistan, I know the natives feel the same way- it's a sign you're making an effort to say what you wear is good enough for me (the non-Asian person). Cultural appropriation my arse. The world is huge, we should learn from each other and embrace what each other's cultures have got to offer. We'll be richer, well rounded adults as a result.

... why not wear a suit rather than a sherwani.

Because it's absolutely boiling in Pakistan and Pakistani attire is light and airy and keeps the wearer cool. Suits are restrictive at the best of times. You don't want him sweating over his biriyani now, do you?

@Stickyuptail

but am still wondering how it’s respectful to wear something that isn’t part of their culture.

So you're suggesting that as a British born Asian, I shouldn't wear jeans, dresses, skirts, etc. because it's not a part of my culture?

My sister had done voluntary work in pakistan and while there she did have a couple of Pakistani outfits. (can,t spell it so went.). It was culturally appropriate to where them.

Pissing myself laughing over "sweating over his biryani" @titnomatani

I agree with everything else you've said, I know it was most appreciated when I dressed for the occasion at my friends party.
I wore my baby in various carriers, some have argued that this is cultural appropriation, yet I've discussed this with women from other cultures and they admired and congratulated me on "the best/natural/traditional ways", they certainly don't feel it's anything negative. More like a nod to their way of life being as something to learn from in actual fact.

I can't imagine for one minute that amongst all the planning for what is being touted as an extremely important visit to Pakistan there was no thought given to their clothes. Every aspect of this tour will have been considered and discussed with the Pakistan Embassy and Government as well as experts in the Foreign Office.

Pakistani fashion is often considered haute couture in India and the UK - I’m guessing they are also advertising the designers.

I used to live in India (I am aware they are in Pakistan, but I've never lived there) and it would be normal to wear local dress. I only wore kurtas and salwar kameez when I was there unless I was going out for a rare night to somewhere very 'western' and hip. It's not cultural appropriation in this case, it's just showing respect to local customs and not trying to stick out and look out of place. It's also much more comfortable and appropriate for the climate. People would treat you very differently depending on how you dressed.

Baby wearing can be seen as cultural appropriation what do people really wring their hands about a sling?

The pictures google throws up only shows William wearing a sherwani once, at what appears to be a formal evening event.

She used British designers for her clothes, which are absolutely stunning. The balance of western and South Asian styles to suit her figure were perfect. I live that she didn’t wear a scarf when coming off the plane yet the appearance of a scarf was designed into her dress. They have both carried themselves with great dignity.

It was a formal evening event todays pictures they are up a mountain he was wearing Khakis and a head dress.

The heat and humidity in Pakistan is a nightmare, the poor guy wouldn't survive very long dressed as Bertie Wooster @raspberryk! 😂 Unless you're Angela Merkel... I don't think I've ever seen her in anything but a suit 365 days a year, whichever part of the world she's in!

Agree about baby wearing- mine was in a sling as long as my back could take it and then in a carrier after that. No way was I trying to appropriate the African (or other) cultures by doing that. Just like I don't when I attend a salsa dancing/Zumba class, wear afghani jewellery, cook and eat food from a million countries, etc.

I do think the OP is trying really hard to be offended at these two very privileged people dressing like commoners in a third world country.