Are you looking for a traditional makoti style? Look no further than these 10 stunning Shweshwe dresses! Shweshwe is a traditional South African fabric that is characterized by its bold colors and intricate designs. It is the perfect option for makoti, as it is not only stylish but also offers a unique way to express your cultural heritage. From floor-length gowns to short and sweet minidresses, this inspirational guide contains a variety of options that will have you looking and feeling like the ultimate makoti. Whether you’re looking for something more traditional or something more modern, you’re sure to find the perfect Shweshwe dress for your special occasion. So, get inspired and get ready to rock a stunning Shweshwe dress!
What is Shweshwe?
Shweshwe is a traditional South African woven fabric. It derives its name from the Zulu word for “to shake” because the design is created by dyeing threads that are then woven together.
The fabric was originally used only for ceremonial purposes but now it can be found in many other contexts, including as a fashion trend. Shweshwe dresses have bright colors and a simple, yet unique pattern. The colors are traditionally derived from natural dyes like indigo, onion skins or marigolds, which creates striking and beautiful colors that catch the eye of onlookers. When trying to find something to wear for an event, shweshwe dresses are perfect because you know it will satisfy your dress code restrictions and be great looking too!
Traditional Shweshwe Dresses for Makoti
There are so many traditional dresses in Africa and one of the most popular traditional dresses is shweshwe. Traditional shweshwe dress is a type of clothing that is usually worn by women in South Africa. This is a style that has been fashionable since the 18th century, but it still remains popular today.
The traditional shweshwe dress may vary slightly depending on the region it comes from but at its core, it’s always a tiered-dress with long sleeves and an ankle-length hem. It can be worn with or without accessories like belts, shoes and headpieces. The shweshwe material can vary based on the region it comes from as well– for example, Shangaan region traditional shweshwe dresses have contrasting colors and Doma’s traditionally have abstract patterns woven into them.
The design of this dress was influenced by Dutch clothing introduced to South Africa in 17th century. Traditionally, this dress was first worn as
Modern Shweshwe Dresses for Makoti 2022
Shweshwe is a traditional dress from Southern Africa, which is worn by both men and women. Shweshwe dreseses are made of brocade fabric that is heavily decorated with beads and sequins.
– What size shweshwe dress do you want?
– What colors do you want the shweshwe dress to be?
Floor-Length Shweshwe Gowns for Makoti
The traditional African “shweshwe” dress is a floor-length costume made of strips of fabric that is typically worn by women. The material is usually cotton, linen or a blend of the two.
The shweshwe dresses have been around for centuries and have always been reserved only for married women. They are worn in many different variations and colors depending on the region and country.
In 1987, American fashion designer Anna Sui introduced these clothes to her world-wide audience with her A/W 87 show entitled ‘Nova Zembla’.
Short and Sweet Shweshwe Minidresses for Makoti
You may have seen in the recent ad campaign by Makoti featuring popular Zimbabwean actress, Charlotte Mutambirwa. The campaign was launched to coincide with World AIDS Day.
Shweshwe is a traditional African print which is typically colourful and large. It originated from the Ndebele tribe of South Africa who used it to decorate their clothes.
In Zimbabwe, shweshwe is also called Makoti which is derived from the word name for the moths that ate the fabric during aging process in order to produce a desired effect on the garment’s coloration and texture.
Benefits of Wearing Shweshwe Dresses for Makoti
In recent times, people have found ways to create new designs for their shweshwe dress by adding sleeves or changing the neckline- but most people still choose to wear them without any modifications for less expense and more ease of sewing than buying something pre-made off the rack
The Shweshwe dresses are not just for the women. Men also wear these traditional clothes and they are great for special occasions. The Shweshwe fabric is a mix of green, brown, black and yellow threads that creates a unique pattern.
Popular Shweshwe Patterns for Makoti
Traditional shweshwe dresses are made of natural materials that are found in the villages and rural areas of South Africa. The colours used for these dresses may vary, but the most popular colours are green and yellow.
Shweshwe is a type of fabric that was traditionally worn by women in South Africa as a dress or petticoat. They were also worn by men as part of their traditional attire, but they are mostly worn by women in this area.
Shweshwe is a traditional dress from South Africa and Lesotho. The shweshwe traditional dresses are worn by the Basotho women during the last week of November, which is termed as Tlou month. It is believed that the green and yellow color of this dress represent diligence and hard work, respectively.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shweshwe Dress for Makoti
Shweshwe traditional dresses have gone through many changes over the years in terms of their style. Back in the day, shweshwe dresses were supposed to be made out of only green fabric with a border that was either red or yellow. The border would depend on the fabric used to make it. But as time went on and fashion trends changed, people started wearing shweshwe dresses with any color combinations they liked- but it had to be two colors only.
Conclusion:
Many people in South Africa are not very knowledgeable about traditional clothing. Most of the time, people associate the word shweshwe with the color green, yellow. They are not aware that this type of dress can also be worn in other colors like red and blue, as well as being worn in a diverse range of event and occasions.
The story behind this type of dress is rather fascinating. The name shweshwe has been derived from Sudanese Arabic language which means four quarters or four parts – which refers to its design with four broad panels divided by vertical seams – and according to one version, it was created by a Muslim princess who fell in love with a Christian slave trader.
