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Daisy Jeremani
Most designers have always found inspiration from going retro. With fashion ever-revolving, trends thought to be dead and buried have made comebacks.
The dress and jean shirt had disappeared from most Zimbabweans’ wardrobes. It was only the enduring little black dress, which only a handful of sophisticated women kept in their closets.
The ordinary women who found no use for the evening dress stuck to their “two piece” suits and skirts.
At the turn of the millennium most teenagers stayed away from the dress sticking to short skirts, pair of trousers and shorts. Most of the urban youths termed putting on a dress-“uncool.” Those whose parents were strict and believed that a woman only look respectable in a dress, put them on under duress.
However, owning a dress since the middle of 2013 is a “must”. If one does not own at least one maxi, peplum and the high low dress in their closets, youths would say wakasara/usalele
Bulawayo model and socialite, Lindsey Ndlovu said Zimbabweans were a fashion conscious lot though there would be a few seasons away from trends in Europe.
“The problem could be cash but most would buy cheap imitates of the peplum dress from the flea markets. The lucky ones get them from their loved ones who are in South Africa,” she said.
The peplum is all the rage because most women and girls would not only want to accentuate their hips, but look chic at the same time. The dress’s style is flattering, feminine and fun — a fashion statement any woman would want to make.
The good thing about most of these dresses is that they can be won while at work, be put on as a day dress for casual events during the day or for an evening about town.
Lindsey said due to the flooding of fake brands, which only fashion enthusiasts can distinguish, those who want to move with the times, albeit cheaply are being afforded an opportunity.
“Not everyone affords a genuine Lee Cooper jean shirt, but with these imitates found in boutiques and flea markets people are looking trendy at no cost,” she said.
Fashion pundit, Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda urged women to keep some of their clothes instead of making them home dusters after they have gone out of fashion.
“It’s advisable to keep things because most fashion trends are bound to make a rebound,” she said.
Fads that most people thought would not come back have been revived and the dress has come in all shapes and sizes.
Mpofu-Sibanda said the jean shirt has hit the street again and this time it’s very light and easy to wash.
“It’s not only casual now, it can be won smart by tucking it in a pair of chinos and a sport jacket. You can do anything with it,” she said.
Online Reporter