CHENNAI: Given the protests that you see on college campuses whenever managements try to impose any sort of dress code, it is but natural to assume that restriction on dressing sense would strike no chord with youngsters. However, what do those, whose fathers are members of the prestigious gentlemen clubs in the city, think about formal and Western attires in parties and gatherings? S Jayath, a post graduate student from Loyola College and scion of a famous car dealers' family in the city, says he completely avoids going to parties in the club, an old and reputed one on Anna Salai, for the archaic settings and practices. "They have two bars next to each other. But if at all I want to move from one to the other, I need to change to formal wear with a collar," he says, with frustration all over his face. Most of his friends come to the clubs only for the sporting facilities and rarely attend the gatherings, he confirms.Kamini Shivaroop, an MBA student of a reputed college in the city and daughter of an industrialist, says the rules are even more stringent for women, who are expected to maintain "decency" in their dressing."During the new year bash of 2010, they wanted women to come intraditional, formal dresses. My mother was forced to wear a saree because other ladies were doing so. "She adds, "Can you imagine celebrating new year like that?" She remembers that even the invitation comes with a reminder of the dress code.Committee members of these clubs, though requesting anonymity, agree that relaxation of dress codes is inevitable if these clubs want to attractyounger crowd. "We are seeing a marked drop in membership numbers. I think these organisations must revamp to attractnew crowd and must move away from being just the business dealing tables,"says a member of the Madras Club.
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