Dress sense is something personal and you either have it or you don't. To the initiated, dressing up or down is a way to express how one feels or perceives of oneself as well as to make an impact on others. Here, it is elevated to an art form involving an endearing process of sourcing, blending, adapting and innovating. The couldn't-care-less type, on the other hand, dress out of necessity and a sense of modesty. They-are- and-therefore-they-are-dressed rather than they-are-dressed-and-therefore-they-are.
Most people do put some thought into what they want to wear especially when the occasion calls for it as in attending a wedding dinner, receiving a National Day award, attending a job interview, and so forth. This is only reasonable and proper where the markers are clear. However, there are times where such boundaries are vague as with attending your child's kindergarden graduation ceremony, submitting an application form for the Elected Presidency, appearing for trial as a plaintiff/defendant in a Court of law, and the like.
In any case, for any given occasion some people will exhibit a relatively more tasteful sense of fashion than others. Yes, even when carrying out their Corrective Work Order or gearing up to tackle household chores. They just have it in them in the clothes they choose and the way they mix- and-match. Their clothes are made of quality stuff be they synthetic, natural or a mixture thereof. With or without renowned labels, the clothes come with good stitching, robust design and/or a definitive flair. As it is, some are the best in their class. Owing to their character and sense of co-ordination, these dressers fit snugly into their clothing such that the raiment themselves accentuate these persons' general attractiveness. As a result the said persons appeared, justifiably and deftly, more exuberant and gung-ho.
But not all who dress well have good dressing sense. Some are merely following the crowd like the wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind, of fashion/glamour in this instance. Take ladies' fashion for example. There are gals who would bare their back, wear platform shoe, take up spaghetti-strapped blouses, wear strapless figure-hugging tops, etc. according to what is hot for the season. In so doing, many have wittingly and unwittingly basked in the limelight and will continue to enjoy the attention by keeping up with the changes. Enjoy what you want to wear by all means within the bounds of social mores on what is acceptable and what is not. Alas, many are blinded to the fact that what they wear may actually be provocative and even outlandish.
My heart goes out to those whose decision on what to wear is tossed about every now and then. As for those who are in full control of what they should wear in their best interests well as that of society, I say, "Enjoy yourself, spread your exuberance but idolise not the things that you wear. There is more to clothing than what that meets the eyes." This brings me to the subject of how to response to ladies' dressings (ever notice how a guy dresses? Nah.).
Appearance matters and first impression counts at the onset. This means that those who dress well may yield a certain power advantage. Do not yield to such drawing or intimidating power, depends on how you look at it, but rather stay in control and play it cool. Be confident about who you are and know what you are about (eg. an accomplished water-polo player, an authority on the constitutional laws of Singapore and Malaysia, a jolly good debt-collector, a one-laugh-a-minute conversationalist, a top ace at the games arcade, etc). Hold your own and keep your composure without any expressed urge or reflex action to show your admiration or disdain. Just let her be. She can be who she chooses to project and you can be the same, solid self. Know thyself.
Next, if the one you are beholding is a crowd-follower then you know that more than half of the time she doesn't know what she is about. This means that she may dress sexily but without any intention to allure. She just want to be in vogue and feel good about what she wears. Give her the miss, at least until, she knows herself.
However, some dresses to wield power. Where such species are concerned be forewarned and watch out! A recommended strategy is to strike back with a rebuff by not giving even a brief second look whatsoever. Joseph did right (resoundingly!) when he literally ran away from Potiphar's wife though it has not been confirmed whether sensual dressing constituted part of her arsenal to entice him. 'It would be a struggle,' some of you guys would say. Then, think of your biology lesson and be refreshed that all homo sapiens of the same gender has the same biological set-up, no more no less. And, remember ye not that 'from dust we came, to dust we shall return'. Men, look at the big picture.So much for this digression.
To round-up: enjoy what you wear, be true to yourself (with or without Heineken beer) and to hoot with what other earthlings are wearing or not wearing.