The daily dress seems to be t-shirt and jeans with trainers. Not very inspiring I admit but functional.
However, and I say this with experience, when it comes to special occasions then the Kenyan man will look his best with suit and tie. Church meetings, weddings and funerals everyone will do their best to look their best. Festivals do not really warrant the expense of fancy clothing.
Kenyan women have the alternative of having a 'kanga' type of outfit for occasions which can be one piece or split into waistcoat and skirt. These are bright, colourful and make a statement. However you will most likely find that women dress conservatively.
Yes there are fashion shows and models on the catwalks in various towns showing the latest designer look but I wonder who is able to afford them. I also wonder how practical they are while cooking the evening meal over charcoal.
Yes, there is conflict of my thoughts here and when I see the less well off citizens of Kenya well dressed I know they have sacrificed much for that.
Archie
Jan 20, 2010
Hard to answer... by: Arjen (webmaster)
I'm not sure if this question can be answered.
There is no national dress in Kenya, because the country consists of many tribes. Most tribes have adopted a Western life style, with Western clothes. Only a few tribes (of which the Maasai, Samburu and Turkana are the best known) still largely keep their traditional life styles. Their dress for special occasions differs per tribe.
Most Kenyans wear Western style clothes. They dress conservatively in day to day life - shirts, blazers, etc. You will see very few Kenyans in shorts, ever. They probably dress up even more for special occasions.
