General’s Dress Code Confusion

Being just about the worst dresser in town doesn’t exclude me from being a keen observer of the dress habits of the high and mighty of this land. One just can’t avoid seeing them -- the media just doesn’t get tired showing them.

The Indians are here and Islamabad is bursting with that lovey-dovey feeling. Not given to being on the sidelines, General Musharraf has jumped in to press flesh and be part of the ‘action.’ That all very good except that he turned up in his military uniform, thankfully without his commando, special-forces boots! In photos flashed across the world you have the simply dressed Indians peaceniks in their saris and kurta-pajamas and in their midst Pakistan’s president in his army khakis. Was this intentional or mere carelessness?

Not long ago, the General lounged in the glory of being the first Asian leader to be invited to Camp David. There he wore a casual jacket and during formal events was seen in his western suits – all quite dapper. Showing his civilian credentials seemed most important in front of the American and their media. And yet, in front of Indians, with whom he seeks peace he appears as a fauji – a military man ready to take them on in battle? Or is the military uniform the current equivalent of a dove?

If the General were truly a casual dresser, he would occasionally appear in his civvies at the military corp commanders’ meeting – photos of which we is subjected to frequently. [Given that the army pretty much rules this country, no one objects to seeing these middle-aged uniformed men sitting around a long table, listening to the General.] Clearly he doesn’t wear his nice suits there – he wants to tell these powerful men that he is one of them, and more importantly, he is their boss.

As a slob, I have little right to suggest the quality of clothing that the General should adopt. It must, however, appear to most Pakistanis that the simpler clothes that the Indian leaders wear are more in keeping with the weather, and perhaps even the good South Asian values of frugality.

I maybe an inverted snob but am not so thick as not to understand what the General’s clothes are being set up to convey. If I am correct, it strikes me as a rather ill-founded strategy that shows his dressers and him in a poor light.

Pull out your kurta-shalwar (or a cotton safari), General, and be comfortable!