The Arrogance of a White Sweater

Summary

The article reflects on the social implications of wearing a white sweater in India, highlighting the class divide and the practicality of clothing choices.

Abstract

The narrative centers on the cultural and socioeconomic significance of a white sweater in the context of India. The author describes the decision to wear white as a conscious choice that reflects class privilege, as only the wealthy can maintain the cleanliness of white garments, aided by domestic help. In contrast, the poor avoid white clothing due to the difficulty and cost of keeping it clean. The author reveals that their white sweater was a gift, and they wouldn't have chosen it themselves, influenced by the practical advice to wear sensible, dirt-concealing colors. The essay underscores that the choice of wearing white is not just a matter of preference but a statement of one's ability to keep it pristine, which is a luxury not everyone can afford.

Opinions

The author suggests that white clothing, such as a white sweater, is a symbol of affluence in India, as it requires a clean environment and resources to maintain.
There is a subtle implication of racism associated with white clothes, as they are more easily worn by the rich who can keep them clean, unlike the poor.
The practicality of clothing color is influenced by one's socioeconomic status; the poor prefer darker colors that don't show dirt as easily and are cheaper to clean.
The author personally admits to preferring practicality over the aesthetic of white clothing, influenced by their mother's advice to buy sensible clothes that won't easily show dirt.
The article emphasizes that the cleanliness of white clothing serves as a visible indicator of wealth and class, as it reflects the ability to afford both the garment and its upkeep.

Goes deeper than you think

She picked out a white sweater at the mall, Wondering if it would survive among dark things. With the stains and smudges that life brings She had household and work tasks, and she felt small Thinking of an unfolded laundry pile, tall.

Then again, she might decide That the classiness of the colour Went well against anything duller Whites reveal the dirt! She cried. Other colours get dirty, too, but they hide.

India is a dusty country. In the winter when it isn’t as hot anymore, sometimes you need to wear a sweater, which will get dirty like snap!

As a dentist who meets rich and poor people everyday, I’m pointing out the subtle racism of white clothes in India.

Only the rich can afford to wear white, because they live in a clean environment, cleaned for them by others. Even the sweater, when it eventually gets dirty, will be cleaned by another!

The poorer people never buy white sweaters or shawls, because they’d get dirty while they worked, and also because detergents to clean sweaters cost more than ordinary powder detergent used to clean clothes.

So next time you pull on a white sweater, think of the people who can never afford to not just buy a second sweater, but also not wear white because it would get dirty.

Photo by author.

The freshly washed cream sweater I am wearing was a gift. I like to bash around living life. So I wouldn’t have bought white, the ridiculous colour, in a sweater, for myself. I’d hear my mom’s voice in my head, “buy sensible, the white will get dirty”

But the great point in wearing white is, you know it is clean. Other colours may be faking it.