News / National
Summer craze hits the streets
29 Sep 2017 at 06:46hrs | Views
SUMMER is upon us and street fashionistas are not missing the opportunity to strut their stuff — from miniskirts to bum shorts — on the city's pavements.
And judging by the number of heads that the fashion savvy individuals, women clad in body hugging and short outfits, are turning it's clear summer has been embraced by all and sundry.
The scorching heat that accompanies a typical Zimbabwean summer, especially in the southern parts of the country is enough to leave anyone physically drained and thirsty.
But trotting along the hot and long summer days is a new craze named street modelling.
It's virtually a street modelling contest to show off the shortest miniskirts in town.
But how did the miniskirt craze come about?
In 1965 a young upstart British designer, Mary Quant, raised the hemline of her skirts several inches above the knee, giving birth to a skirt that was named her car, the Mini.
And bingo, a miniskirt was born.
Since then the miniskirt craze has become a global phenomenon.
And Zimbabwean women were not to be left behind.
Ladies will take an opportunity to wear a miniskirt with both hands.
A quick stroll by B-Metro in the streets of Bulawayo, the City of Kings, couldn't reveal any less.
"It's summer and ladies like summer for one reason, an opportunity to express themselves fashion-wise.
"Summer clothes are also generally cheaper and colour combinations are not stressful. Of course depending on the occasion ladies will definitely take it up a notch," said Eugene Dube, a local fashion designer.
A crop top leaving the bellybutton exposed and bum short here and there and definitely miniskirts is the language in town.
Bulawayo ladies are leaving no stone unturned.
For ladies rocking a miniskirt, turning heads is the ultimate test of confidence and celebrating sexuality.
"The way I dress allows me to express my confidence. If it's hot I don't need to wrap myself in uncomfortable outfits," said one lady who identified herself as Nomthandazo. She was spotting a crop top and a miniskirt.
However, as the summer craze hits the streets, the usual cultural observers will have something to say.
Are our children losing morals? They will ask.
Fashion designer Chante of Chant Designs believes that summer is not all about exposing everything, laying bare one's body for everyone to see.
She believes ladies can dress up without crossing the "line" especially at work but still look sexy.
"There are a lot of options for women during summer. It doesn't have to be all that explicit. Ladies can wear loose-fitting trousers. Older women can enjoy the comfort and versatility of long dresses that are sexy and comfy," she said.
And judging by the number of heads that the fashion savvy individuals, women clad in body hugging and short outfits, are turning it's clear summer has been embraced by all and sundry.
The scorching heat that accompanies a typical Zimbabwean summer, especially in the southern parts of the country is enough to leave anyone physically drained and thirsty.
But trotting along the hot and long summer days is a new craze named street modelling.
It's virtually a street modelling contest to show off the shortest miniskirts in town.
But how did the miniskirt craze come about?
In 1965 a young upstart British designer, Mary Quant, raised the hemline of her skirts several inches above the knee, giving birth to a skirt that was named her car, the Mini.
And bingo, a miniskirt was born.
Since then the miniskirt craze has become a global phenomenon.
And Zimbabwean women were not to be left behind.
Ladies will take an opportunity to wear a miniskirt with both hands.
"It's summer and ladies like summer for one reason, an opportunity to express themselves fashion-wise.
"Summer clothes are also generally cheaper and colour combinations are not stressful. Of course depending on the occasion ladies will definitely take it up a notch," said Eugene Dube, a local fashion designer.
A crop top leaving the bellybutton exposed and bum short here and there and definitely miniskirts is the language in town.
Bulawayo ladies are leaving no stone unturned.
For ladies rocking a miniskirt, turning heads is the ultimate test of confidence and celebrating sexuality.
"The way I dress allows me to express my confidence. If it's hot I don't need to wrap myself in uncomfortable outfits," said one lady who identified herself as Nomthandazo. She was spotting a crop top and a miniskirt.
However, as the summer craze hits the streets, the usual cultural observers will have something to say.
Are our children losing morals? They will ask.
Fashion designer Chante of Chant Designs believes that summer is not all about exposing everything, laying bare one's body for everyone to see.
She believes ladies can dress up without crossing the "line" especially at work but still look sexy.
"There are a lot of options for women during summer. It doesn't have to be all that explicit. Ladies can wear loose-fitting trousers. Older women can enjoy the comfort and versatility of long dresses that are sexy and comfy," she said.
Source - chronicle
