Yoga pants are out of place at a royal palace

I've been to Gyeongbokgung, one of South Korea's most famous palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors dress respectfully; many even wear traditional Korean attire for photos. Formal clothing is not unique to Gyeongbokgung; people also dress respectfully at historical sites worldwide.

But the yoga woman's case is not unique. Recently, yoga groups in Vietnam started wearing yoga outfits on public streets and posing for photos—even atop Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. These images have stirred debates between supporters and critics.

One common argument is, "People have the right to dress and do whatever they want as long as it's not against the law." While the argument may sound reasonable, this is not just a legal issue; it is about cultural appropriateness and matching attire to the setting.

Parents at my child's school met a similar situation.

During a recent school ceremony I attended, students were to give thank-you cards to teachers and parents and promise to continue to study diligently.

The event was meant to be meaningful, but flip-flops, tank tops, and ripped jeans undermined it. Some parents scolded their kids for dressing so casually, while others brushed it off, saying the 17-year-olds were still young and that comfort was all that mattered.

A woman doing yoga poses outside Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul in November 2024. Photo by VnExpress/H.H.

Today's urban lifestyle is different from that of my generation, which was full of hardship. Few people worry about basic needs now; instead, they focus on enjoying good food and stylish clothes. However, the meaning of "stylish" varies depending on personal culture and aesthetic sense.

Every community holds specific standards for what clothing is "appropriate." For example, yoga clothes belong in studios or suitable public spaces like parks or beaches—not on streets, mountain tops, or in front of palaces.

Similarly, students may dress casually for a picnic, but a formal event requires more appropriate attire.

Dress norms have relaxed over recent decades, especially in East Asian countries like Vietnam.

Social media as a platform for self-expression has empowered this change. The need to share and express oneself is natural and valid.

But here's my point: dressing stylishly begins with considering the context. Public spaces have shared standards. Violating them can make people appear out of place and may make others uncomfortable.

Some suggest this more "relaxed" approach to dressing originated from the West. I disagree.

Most developed countries maintain clear social dress codes: formal meetings typically require suits, places of worship require modest attire, awards ceremonies aren't for street clothes, and weddings aren't for jeans and T-shirts.

There's a Russian saying: "They meet you by your clothes but see you off by your mind."

A modern English saying goes, "Dress how you want to be addressed."

Vietnamese also have a saying, "Clothes should match one's virtues."

While clothing doesn't reveal everything about a person, well-chosen attire can certainly enhance their image.

*Trinh Hang is a documentary movie director.