The vibrant and colorful dupatta, or chunni for some, has been a traditional accessory for many South Asian cultures for centuries. It is typically a long, light, and airy shawl-like scarf worn in many ways by women in the Indian Subcontinent. Whether it be over one shoulder, around the neck, or through the arms, the dupatta serves as a symbol of modesty, courtesy, and respect. However, a recent trend among fashion influencers has been the incorporation of the “Scandinavian scarf” within their summer outfits. Influencers post with the familiar airy scarf, marking it as a trending aesthetic accessory. This is just another example of the West adopting components of other cultures and claiming them as its own. Popular clothing websites such as Reformation and Oh Polly released dresses in their recent collections that included the dupatta, however, no credit or acknowledgement of inspiration was given to South Asian culture.

The issue of cultural appropriation has been prevalent amongst all cultures, though some argue that it is rather a form of admiration. So, what exactly is the line between appropriation and appreciation? The Cambridge Dictionary defines cultural appropriation as “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect this culture.” Acknowledgement is the first step, understanding that you are stepping into decades of history and tradition, and doing so respectfully. In terms of clothing, purchases should be made through the appropriate designers and businesses. Many Western corporations leach off stolen designs and silhouettes without any proper credit. While wearing said clothing, refusing to admit the cultural significance and meaning behind it is simply disrespectful and ignorant. Listening to people who come directly from that culture is your best bet when you are unsure whether you are overstepping or not. It is not the end of the world if someone is wearing a thin, airy scarf with their bodycon dress, but awareness of the cultural context and significance is key in appreciating the diversity of our world.