No matter how much fashion changes, African prints (kitenge) are here to stay. With some creativity in mind and inspiration from social media, you can easily get a seasoned tailor to make you something fabulous from African prints that does not make you look older. Here are a few tips to help you out.
- Avoid old-fashioned designs
One thing that can sometimes make kitenge old fashioned is the design you choose. Don’t look at those charts tailors show you. Most of them are from Nigeria and are for older people. With a little bit of creativity, you can have a kitenge designed to give you a nice, modern look.
Stay away from those baggy, long dresses unless it is a design. Instead, go for knee-high lengths; the design can be skater or fitting. Cutting some inches off a dress or skirt can do wonders to your look for the better. When it comes to your arm lengths, you can choose sleeveless, half-length, or three-quarter designs.
- Ensure proper sizing
Ensure the designer you are working with gives your clothes a proper fit in the right places. Measurements can be off sometimes. Therefore, if you fit a dress or skirt and feel that the arms or waist is loose, have the tailor fix it to give you a nice, snatched-up look. If the dress or skirt length is longer, it can be shortened. The same applies if the dress or skirt is too tight. Have it adjusted so you can breathe and walk properly when wearing your kitenge.
- Matching sets do not have to be worn together
Now, if you choose to make a skirt or trouser suit from an African print, you do not have to wear the top and bottom together. You can wear your kitenge top with a solid color bottom or a plain top with your kitenge bottom. Mix things up and step out looking like a fashionista. That aside, you can also match two kitenge prints as long as they look great together.
- Choose lovely patterns
The kitenge patterns you choose matter. Yes, African prints can be bright and colorful but you can also opt for darker shades. Take your time when shopping for fabric and choose something lovely. Do not be in a hurry. Try wrapping that fabric on your body and look in the mirror. Sometimes, a kitenge on display may not impress you but once you have it on your body, you can visualize how it will look on you.
Moreover, ask the tailor to orient the patterns in a way that looks stunning. Some patterns look better when running across your physique and not vertically and vice versa.
- Avoid ‘Kenya uniform styles’
If you want a unique kitenge look, stay away from ‘Kenya uniform’ designs. Yes, they look fantastic but you are likely to meet so many other people wearing it. Instead, get a nice fabric and design something that is unique to you. Whenever you walk into a mall or market and see a kitenge design in one shop, you can be certain another retailer has it. Do not be in a hurry to buy it. Give the design time and if you see it with many other people in a month, just admire it on someone else; not unless you really it, then go ahead and get yourself a ‘Kenya uniform’. It won’t hurt you.
- Choosing shoes
Kitenge goes with a variety of shoes. You can wear it with heels, doll shoes, sneakers, and even sandals. Experiment with different footwear and walk confidently. You can wear your lovely heels with your kitenge to work or an event. On the other hand, sneakers provide a gorgeous, trendy casual look, while doll shoes and sandals are simply comfortable.
Kitenge (African print) is not for older women. You can make skirts, dresses, trousers, and even shorts from the fabric and look modern. Ensure you choose an experienced tailor for the design you select. The last thing you want is choosing a lovely kitenge fabric and having a tailor ruin it.
Discussion about this post