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What do people think about what you’re wearing?
This week, our Nairobians.Com team went to find out which fashion trends most annoy people in Nairobi.
Lack of Originality
Fashion trends in Nairobi catch like Influenza. When some mode of attire, style of shoe, or manner of hairdo is seen on one woman in town, somehow other women quickly follow suit. It is not so much what people see on TV that influences them – it is more what they see being worn in the city.
That copycatting in itself annoys some Nairobians. One guy, Brian Ochieng from Githurai, said “you see someone dressed in a particular way and you follow that and you don’t know why they are dressed in that way.” It is possible that rushing to buy something just because it is in fashion could backfire on you when that concept turns from “hot” to “not.” Dorothy of Komarock said: “Those clothes from the exhibitions … you buy something then it’s out of fashion.” That’s why originality is important – at least buy something that you would wear regardless of whether it is in fashion.
Absent Modesty
Some Nairobians find immodest clothes most annoying, worrying, or even embarrassing. Grace of Mbagathi said: “I don’t like the one where they leave themselves naked. Especially old people, it’s not good, but even girls. They should give respect; if they are naked we don’t feel good.”
One anonymous lady is also annoyed by garments that expose a lot of flesh: “I actually don’t like the way they expose a ka-strap on bare shoulders, and the lower part is also exposed, and it’s like – sijui ni material inaisha ama ni nini. Ya.”
But what is ‘modesty’? It is culturally relative. In some parts of Africa, outfits expose shoulders and arms, but woe unto those who expose their knees or thighs. In some Indian cultures, the shoulders and mid-riffs of women are exposed by saris, but they may then cover their hair. In some Arabic cultures and Catholic cities, showing bare arms is viewed as immodest, but they may accept uncovered hair. There is thus no single definition of modesty.
One anonymous guy even got philosophical about the question of modesty: “As long as they are covered to the extent that they want.” Huh! Try telling the mob that.
Tight clothes
Many Nairobians talked about tight clothing as a major fashion irritant that can be painful to watch. Cindy of Langata said: “When ladies wear really tight jeans, it’s not comfortable looking at it, you get embarrassed for her, and the men must be like ‘woah!’” Most likely the men go ‘wow,’ judging from those we asked, who unsurprisingly had no problem whatsoever watching women in tight clothing.
Some wondered how women in tight clothes sit down. Mrs. Were of Eastlands said: “Those that expose peoples bodies, extremely tight, those ones that even sitting down is a big problem. When they sit down every part is exposed.”
The desire not to see peoples underwear was echoed by an anonymous lady of Kasarani: “Where ladies are putting tight trousers, leaving part of the back bare where they normally expose their underwears.” Peris of SOJ was of the same opinion: “When ladies are putting on their jeans and you can see their inner parts.” Inner parts!!! Oh no!! Peris clarified this: “…you see their thongs, it’s really annoying.”
There is undoubtedly an intention of exhibitionism, amongst hipster wearers, or else it must be a coincidence that they also happen to be wearing thongs.
Cultural Tolerance
Once upon a time, ladies in tight clothes were frequently mobbed and/or stripped. The fact that Nairobians merely tut-tut at the sight of women in Lycra and exposed thongs is testament to an increase in cultural tolerance. Even so, some argue that Western influences on Kenyan fashion trends are detrimental. Patrick Odongo of Ngong Road lamented the fact that “(tight or revealing clothes) are not the Kenyan way of doing things. We were used to a better mode of dressing as we grew up. I think it’s a cultural change that’s taken place. Maybe a national dress is the answer, instead of copying the Western world.”
Copying the Western world may also have bred a new kind of cultural intolerance based on size and weight.
Body weight
Perceptions of what looks good have changed amongst Nairobians. Remember when women used to pile on Kitenge wraps in order to look like they had voluminous hips? Now Nairobian women are often seen trying to disguise their hips with shapeless skirts or shirts.
Criticisms of women in tight clothing were counteracted by some, who argued that it depends on a woman’s size. Njeri of Hurlingham felt strongly about this: “It depends on the body shape. Someone can really look good, but if they’re big it looks disgusting.” Lucy of Inakop felt the same: “It goes with size. If you’re fat you can’t put on a tumbo-cut.”
It seems that many women in Nairobi now view a slim figure (size 8-12) as the ideal one, as is the case on the catwalks of international fashion shows, where waif-like models are the norm. The new preoccupation with what looks better on who is not good news for women in Nairobi and across the world, since their natural figures vary in shape and size. Surveys in some countries even suggest that size 16 is the average size of women.
What about men?
Fashion worn by women and girls was discussed and criticised, but what about male fashion trends?
One guy from Kiambu took issue with the ‘feminisation’ of male dress codes: “Those men who behave like ladies, they bleach their hairs, the way they dress, the earrings, the tattoos, I detest it, especially here in Nairobi.” These conservative views about fashion may be the reason why male dress codes in Nairobi are so inhibited. Does male fashion need to be so dull and repetitive? Our magazine Bachelors & the City discusses ways in which men in Nairobi can style up and express themselves with accessories.
Fashion and Freedom
Nairobians may feel annoyed by certain fashion trends, but many accept that people are entitled to wear what they want. Clothes or accessories may be an important means of self expression, indicating non-conformity and uniqueness. Christine of Plainsview put it well: “Fashion is a way of everybody expressing themselves. People should be allowed to do what they want to do.”
Let’s not forget that clothing is a mask, it doesn’t define a person or their character, even if their butt is hanging out.
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