EENHANA – Summer is upon us and gone is not just the chill but also vast layers of cloths wrapped around us.
The transition from winter to summer not only introduces us to different types of fashion fads and festivals but also creates many talking points. It is during this time of the year that various street lingo like “open wear” and “expose –international” are coined to describe ladies’ wears that in most instances leave little or nothing to the imagination. The hot season aptly means heavy clothing is abandoned in favour of skimpers and lighter clothes. For men, it usually means wearing short-sleeved summer shirts, T-shirts, shorts, caps or simply maintaining the winter wardrobe of course minus the leather jackets and jersey. Men’s summer weakness has been that of fashion error like wearing socks and sandals or mixing informal shoes (sneakers) with formal wear.
However, for the fairer counterparts, summer dressing has always brought with it a fair share of controversy. The soaring temperatures provide a platform for the “free” ones to abandon morals and promote decadency. Men have responded by passing rude remarks in the streets and even in shebeens. The decent ones have simply walked away while the militant ones have provided free entertainment by firing back with some tantrums. In some other countries like Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, protestors have oft taken to the streets attracting hundreds of women dressed in mini-skirts and shorts marching against harassment by men and touts. The march is to sounded it out and clearly to their equals that “summer is here please leave us alone.”
Though different summer outfits are unleashed onto societies, inspired by western celebrities and designers, most of the styles are not compatible with “the African culture”. Besides, the usually wealthy Western celebrities have a much wider selection of outfits that allows them to have suiting outfits for different occasions. It appears some of the African ladies because of limited resources, or the need to attract attention resorts to what may and often been seen as abuse fashion. Often ladies have been seen strolling here in the North, especially here in the streets Eenhana, Oshakati and even Ongwediva, in body-hugging outfits that they can hardly walk in or that give them natural discomfort when getting into a car or sitting in a public place. As such outfits have created headaches for employers since there is no clear distinction between casual and formal wear.
“Some of the dressing by these ladies leaves a lot to be desired. You get to wonder if someone is coming to work or attending some club or pub events,” argues Elago Nakwafila, a teacher here. For secondary school learners, rules and regulations usually help contain the situation as most learning institutions require that girls wear uniforms that go beyond knee level.
Challenges are usually encountered with private schools and college students. But the hullaballoo of the contentious summer dressing has never stopped boutiques from enjoying brisk business year in and year out. Actually business gets a massive boost as the fashionistas try to outdo each one another in wearing the skimpiest of clothes. And the season makes all major events like awards ceremonies, parties and other various corporate events a must go. It is during such events that the latest fashion trends are unleashed and fashion fads emulated. Designers argue that while there is need to cut down on the amount of cloth due to the high temperatures, decency should be maintained. “People should understand that summer is not all about wearing controversial clothes. We do have summer outfits that one can put on and be as comfortable as ever, never mind the environment. It is only a few individuals that have gone on to abuse summer wear that have created problems for others,” notes Ndahafa Kapia of African Designs Boutique here.
“I should be able to dress in anything that is stylish and sexy. However, the fashion should not give me problems like having me worry if my underwear is still covered or I haven’t lost some stitches,” she adds.