Yaya Fashion: Setting The Rules for Proper Yaya Attire

Despite her efficiency and industriousness, color-coordination may not be one of yaya’s many gifts.

If you find yourself faced with this realization, do not fret. It’s really not all that serious a predicament. If you don’t require your staff to wear a uniform and sometimes require them to be out on errands, propriety when it comes to dressing may be something you just need to settle with her. Set down the rules and explain your reasons.

However, before all else, please keep in mind that tactfulness and compassion is always important. You don’t want yaya to feel inadequate in any way. Hence, it is vital to point out that the attire is the issue not the person.

In this regard, you may have several concerns and as such, it would be best to ask yourself the following:
a. Is it a color-coordination issue?
b. Is it a modesty issue?
c. Is it a hygiene issue?
d. Is it an image issue?

Once, you distill your real concern to the core --- make certain that you explain how important first impressions are and how they can affect the way people think. Remind her that no matter where she is, she remains always a “representative” of your household and indirectly of you. Similarly, if she doesn’t dress appropriately, people may think badly of both her and your household. Explain that at the very minimum, cleanliness, order and neatness are non-negotiables. Ask her to think about this… if the tables were turned and she met someone on the street who was dressed like she was, what would she think of that person? Would she be impressed? Would she be disappointed? This should help clarify things.

Click here to read on about what constitutes proper attire.

[previous|page|next]

Read on about what constitutes proper attire.

At this point, it is equally important to define what dressing appropriately actually entails. Proper attire is more often than not governed basically by the following:
1. The Place/venue:
Please explain to yaya that if she must accompany the kids to a party or dinner, it is important to dress a bit more formally. Necklines should be high, skirts long or pants if possible. Shoes are also required. Hair should always be neat and fixed and nails cut short with no nail polish.

2. The Time of Day:
Usually, the later into the day --- the more formal the attire needed. Dependent on your own household rules, flip-flops/tsinelas are usually discouraged outside your house.

3. The Occasion/purpose:
Remind yaya to take into account the reason for her being “out”. If it is for a children’s party with kids running amuck. She better make sure she has proper footwear in case she needs to run or play with her ward. If she is sent to the bank, she needs to make sure that she does not look like she is going to a party. If she is sent to an event to help serve during a dinner/meal --- she should make sure that she is dressed cleanly and neatly. If you end up passing by a Wake or funeral mass, it is highly recommended that she stay away from bright colors out of respect. Always tell yaya that uniforms are not a sign of condescension. In fact, it makes life easier for both of you in that, there is no angst or confusion as to what one should wear. Believe me, she will thank you later.

At the end of the day, this situation of not liking Yaya’s fashion sense is really one that is solvable. The important thing is that you are honest with yaya regarding your concerns and make sure you tell her in a way that does not belittle or demean her being.

Clothes don’t always make the person and neither should it ruin her spirit.

Photo from sxc.hu