Something i’ve noticed is most the desi aunties here are not so groomed as compared to the desi aunties you will find in Islamabad, Lahore or even Karachi. Their dressing is better and they somewhat tend to be broad minded about sleeveless etc. Very few people i’ve come across here that are cool with sleeveless shalwar kameez. Do your observations differ?
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
OMG totally agree and it irks the living bajeezuz out of me!
Why do they walk around so dirty and so depressed looking!!
Represent people!! (lack of a less ghetto term)
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
I completely agree! I notice people in Pakistan tend to be a lot more open-minded and fashion forward compared to the aunties who live here. Although I don't think my mom has an issue with me wearing sleeveless, but that's beside the point.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
I think its the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome.
Aunties in the West: They want to desperately hold on to traditional cultural/religious values and dont' want their children "corrupted" by Western influence. Hence many families I know are strict about things like dress codes in the family. They feel this is one way they can hold onto "tradition".
Aunties in the East: They want to imitate western way of dressing and think its cool. They're not freaked out about themselves and their children losing traditional values.
As for gromming of the aunties themselves.....the aunties I know who're financially well-off here (U.S.) are groomed just as well as the aunties in the East. The aunties I know that don't dress "well" usually work full-time jobs (family wouldn't be defined as wealthy), don't get much help with household chores etc.
Disclaimer: The above comments are solely based on my peresonal experience with aunties I have met, observed, or heard about through people I know. I realize that there are many aunties out where who do not fit into these categories.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
Wow Pakistanis living in Pakistan are more dedicated to Pakistani fashion because surprise surprise, they have billions of clothing shops there. Big deal!
A very silly comparison in terms of fashion, and I'm assuming you are talking about Pakistani fashion. So the answer would be, if London/New York/Birmingham also had liberty market and Zamzama, the aunties living in the West would be as fashion forward as aunties living in Lahore/Isloo. Do you know how hard is it find decent wearable Asian clothes in the West, let alone trendwhoring?
For a second thought, can the same thing be said about 'young' girls living in Pakistan and their taste in 'Western fashion'? I wonder why they don't seem so well groomed and fashion forward when it comes to Western wear.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
This desi aunty likes her freedom in the west to roam around in the pajamas any time of the day 
kidding aside I agree with what Paheli said.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
Wow Pakistanis living in Pakistan are more dedicated to Pakistani fashion because surprise surprise, they have billions of clothing shops there. Big deal!
A very silly comparison in terms of fashion, and I'm assuming you are talking about Pakistani fashion. So the answer would be, if London/New York/Birmingham also had liberty market and Zamzama, the aunties living in the West would be as fashion forward as aunties living in Lahore/Isloo. Do you know how hard is it find decent wearable Asian clothes in the West, let alone trendwhoring?
For a second thought, can the same thing be said about 'young' girls living in Pakistan and their taste in 'Western fashion'? I wonder why they don't seem so well groomed and fashion forward when it comes to Western wear.
That has been improved now compared to few years ago.
I remember in Islamabad literally every girl wearing western cloths looked like a clown :D
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
That has been improved now compared to few years ago. I remember in Islamabad literally every girl wearing western cloths looked like a clown :D
They still do in Lahore. lol
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
Wow Pakistanis living in Pakistan are more dedicated to Pakistani fashion because surprise surprise, they have billions of clothing shops there. Big deal!
A very silly comparison in terms of fashion, and I'm assuming you are talking about Pakistani fashion. So the answer would be, if London/New York/Birmingham also had liberty market and Zamzama, the aunties living in the West would be as fashion forward as aunties living in Lahore/Isloo. Do you know how hard is it find decent wearable Asian clothes in the West, let alone trendwhoring?
Maybe I missed something but I didn't get the impression that OP is referring to Pakistani fashion or aunties dressing in Asian clothing specifically. She just referred to aunties in the west not being as well "groomed" and not being as open-minded regarding clothing (example: sleeveless outfits). And at least here in the U.S., I know quite a few desi families living in NY, Texas, California, Arizona, Chicago etc.....and the ones that have $$, manage to get their hands on fashionable desi clothing with no problem.
But then again IF the OP did intend to refer to Pakistani fashion.......then I totally misinterpreted the thread.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
So basically I just gave OP a benefit of doubt for no reason, so I guess the whole message is that wearing sleeveless clothes automatically means you are more "well groomed" and your dressing is somehow 'better'? Please tell me that the OP did not mention the word broad mindeness in her post because I'm getting a total opposite vibe.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
So basically I just gave OP a benefit of foubt for no reason, so I guess the whole message is that wearing sleeveless clothes automatically means you are more "well groomed" and you're dressing is somehow 'better'? Please tell me that the OP did not mention the word broad mindeness in her post because I'm getting a total opposite vibe.
Huh? No....I don't think OP meant that at all. Here is my interpretation of the post:
1) Groomed: Aunties in the East are better "put together". Clothing fits well, outfits/accessories are coordinated better, hair/nails/brows/facials are taken care of on a regular basis etc. Versus many aunties in the west wear clothing that don't match or compliment them, their hair isn't styled regularly, nails are unkept etc. They don't put as much effort in the way they look compared to aunties in the East. Nothing refers specifically to Pakistani style fashion.
2) The sleeveless part: Aunties in the East are more willing to wear (or allow their daughers to wear) sleeveless than aunties in the west. But one is not "better" than the other.
3) The sleeveless/open-minded part has nothing to do with being well-groomed or dressing "better". Its technically 2 separate topics posed in 1 question.
Again this was/is my personal interpretation.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
There are only two ways to look and stay well groomed in my humble opinion.
1- You have to have a sense of style.
2- You have to be able to afford it.
As long as the two criterias meet you'll see a well dressed auntie.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
If thats what the OP really meant, then its nothing but some seriously gross generalization and ignorance, and frankly speaking, its quite insulting too. Or maybe its just your post that makes it sound like it.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
There are only two ways to look and stay well groomed in my humble opinion.
1- You have to have a sense of style.
2- You have to be able to afford it.
As long as the two criterias meet you'll see a well dressed auntie.
....And more importantly you have to have the have right shops the things above, and in West we don't have that.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
I think its the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome.
Aunties in the West: They want to desperately hold on to traditional cultural/religious values and dont' want their children "corrupted" by Western influence. Hence many families I know are strict about things like dress codes in the family. They feel this is one way they can hold onto "tradition".
Aunties in the East: They want to imitate western way of dressing and think its cool. They're not freaked out about themselves and their children losing traditional values.
As for gromming of the aunties themselves.....the aunties I know who're financially well-off here (U.S.) are groomed just as well as the aunties in the East. The aunties I know that don't dress "well" usually work full-time jobs (family wouldn't be defined as wealthy), don't get much help with household chores etc.
Disclaimer: The above comments are solely based on my peresonal experience with aunties I have met, observed, or heard about through people I know. I realize that there are many aunties out where who do not fit into these categories.
This...exactly.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
....And more importantly you have to have the have **right shops **the things above, and in West we don't have that.
Correct and these days right shops are all over the internet in the name of Facebook vendors. I know many people who havn't been to Pakistan in ages yet they wear the most trendy stuff.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
1) Groomed: Aunties in the East are better "put together". Clothing fits well, outfits/accessories are coordinated better, hair/nails/brows/facials are taken care of on a regular basis etc. Versus many aunties in the west wear clothing that don't match or compliment them, their hair isn't styled regularly, nails are unkept etc. They don't put as much effort in the way they look compared to aunties in the East. Nothing refers specifically to Pakistani style fashion. .
To me there's simply no truth to it and I can't relate to that at all. But we can still try to reason this, Pakistani women wearing better fitted clothes, then let me tell you, in Pakistan you'd find at least thirty different tailors in one lane. All of them highly experienced and qualified enough to give useful advice, sadly we don't get that here in West. Some of my really nice suits have messed up shapes and dodgy fittings (and I am not under groomed in anyway, let me make that very clear) thanks to some tailor in London, who was very much the only (good) tailor available in that area. I know have a tailor, he's good but I have to literally sketch everything for him and drill everything in his head, and thats hardly the case with my Pakistani tailor.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
Correct and these days right shops are all over the internet in the name of Facebook vendors. I know many people who havn't been to Pakistan in ages yet they wear the most trendy stuff.
As in aunties?
There are also plenty of people who aren't yet comfortable spending money on something without seeing it in person. FB shoping for desi clothes is not everyone's cup of tea.
You can't compare the experience of living in the West and ordering from FB based on magazine , and living Pakistan, seeing, breathing Pakistani fashion, going to all those wonderful shops on daily basis exposed to all that massive range of diversity and trying things on. This is the old school method of shoping for old school folks and I actually understand and respect that.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
The only thing I'd agree with is the sleeveless thing. But you have to keep in mind, its only rich aunties in big cities in Pakistan who wear sleeveless kameezes or sleeveless blouses with their saris. Most other older women in Pakistan do not.
Most of the aunties I have encountered here or in Pakistan, always look nice and well-groomed. Yeah not everyone's a fashionista, but then again they are of the mentality that their past their prime and dont need to follow trends.
Jolie- the OP did ask if our observations differed. She didnt say what she observed is the ultimate truth and you must accept it, ya know.
Re: Desi aunties in the West v Desi aunties in the East
The only thing I'd agree with is the sleeveless thing. But you have to keep in mind, its only rich aunties in big cities in Pakistan who wear sleeveless kameezes or sleeveless blouses with their saris. Most other older women in Pakistan do not.
Most of the aunties I have encountered here or in Pakistan, always look nice and well-groomed. Yeah not everyone's a fashionista, but then again they are of the mentality that their past their prime and dont need to follow trends.
Jolie- the OP did ask if our observations differed. She didnt say what she observed is the ultimate truth and you must accept it, ya know.
Yeah thats what I said earlier, I think I'm reading too much into Paheli's "interpretations".