It is common in a fashion that the taste is part of people’s personalization, and has become one of the “must-haves” to show who we are. Including when wearing batik. Some people feel comfortable wearing this with color collisions that are too contrasting, mixing with an uncommon pair of clothes, or prefer to add with a unique feature to show the innovation.
While others are adamant that the outfit must be adjusted to the moment, and cannot be arbitrary, or the consequence is resulting in negative stereotypes. For example, wearing Batik on any formal occasion is highly appreciated.
Recently there was a unique incident that happens to the top-level YouTuber and influencer, Atta Halilintar when he used Batik and mixed it with torn jeans in a statehood agenda. On the occasion, Atta met Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, in a series of inspecting agenda regarding the implementation of social distancing in the airport environment, Thursday (8/9/20).
Immediately, it caused various reactions from the netizen where some of them criticized what the Youngster did by arguing that wearing the original batik clothes made by the nation’s noble culture is inappropriate if combined with faded and torn denim.
While some of them keeping calm by giving a reasonable argumentation related to the freedom of expression. Simply, this phenomenon we can call as a “predicament” of the outfit mix-matching, wherein this case, Batik, is on between postmoderniity and sacredness.
From the philosopher, Jean Baudrillard, postmodernism can be interpreted as a cultural product in artsy aspects, one of them is fashion, which looks different from modern cultural products. The origin of this idea is coming from the rigidity that exists in the modernity of fashion – thus initiate a sporadic intention to arise new order or values in social life.
In the case of Batik, there is a symbol of ethical sacredness where there is a standard norm that regulates how we behave with this item that also includes pairing it with a suitable manner to appreciate an honor. However, the idea of postmodernism has emerged as an epoch, a new history, a new cultural product, and a new type of theorization of the social world in today’s society. In simple words, it is a new way of thinking that wants to disrupt the existing state, which is the antithesis of modernism which offers promises of order, rationality, efficiency, certainty, and rigidity.
Senior designer Musa Widyatmodjo explains it as a breakthrough related to the personalization. People are free to mix up their fashion taste and style that is considered as a part of freedom of expression. However, ideally, it should be accompanied by the behavior and appreciation that refers to the local norms for understanding the etiquette of the local fashion culture, in this context is in Indonesia.
So, from what side is that the innovation considered not to conflict with local values? According to the fashion observer and designer, Lisa Fitria, fashion innovation should cover three aspects, convenience, aesthetics, and ethics.
And today there is a growing number of innovative fashion brands that seem bridging the gap between local value and the taste shifting that is influenced by the information exposure. One favorite brand in the millennials is H&M, which was created by Erling Persson, provide relaxed luxury apparel that gives comfort, style, and a sense of calm confidence. And mostly feels convenient with the pieces made of quality material for trousers and shoes. It is presentable while still being stylish and comfortable combining with Batik on the most formal occasion.
In the end, it back to our again, outfitting with proper behave can even scaling our self-image. Do you agree?
