Hold on a second! Do you still have those sweeping skirts, dresses, and low-rise loose pants in your wardrobe? The fashion industry has the latest trends, and ready to help you update your wardrobe with new styles and make you look not only hot, but also trendy. 

Whether you choose to say you are not fashion conscious, or that it’s not on the list of your priorities, the truth is fashion is the focus today!

"The most thoughtful gesture you can make when wearing hot short pants, or mini dress is by achieving an understated yet elegant appearance,” says Marie Uwazainka, a fashion designer.

If you have the perfect figure and really trust your legs, then you have the option of following your fashion personality. Being stylish or fashionable is not only about looking trendy, but also boosts your confidence and self esteem.

Know your body structure and evaluate it to what you want to wear. This will help you not to fall victim to fashion. 

Chantelle Uwimbabazi is one person who is fashion conscious. She says, "I love wearing shorts and mini-dresses, but sometimes as a Moslem, I’m restricted.”

Justine Gasengayire has just bought two pairs of designer shorts from Jupiter Boutique, in Nyamirambo. She says that she prefers wearing short pants for informal outdoor events.

However, because of the controversial issues surrounding wearing minis and short pants, some people have decided to leave them out in order to avoid being identified with what they are not.

While some associate minis and shorts with sex workers others feel they are meant for all. In my opinion, it’s often too difficult for women, especially under the African society, to freely wear minis and shorts, and walk on streets. This is because; under the traditional belief, it’s a taboo for women and girls to reveal too much of their bodies. 

Timothy Karemera, 38, says that according to the Bible it is sinful for a woman to expose her skin. The act is considered as a tool to seduce men into sexual immorality.

"The Bible tells us to avoid a sin and anything that can lead us into a sin. So, our sisters shouldn’t wear anything that reveals too much, in order not to lead us into temptation,” Karemera says.

The decision of what to wear is, of course, entirely down to the individual, and interfering with someone’s right to dress as she sees fit will not generally be thought well of and can cause discomfort and inferior complexes to that person.

Some women and girls may wear minis or shorts because they are their practical items, especially when the weather is hot. Others may decide to wear them because they enjoy being admired and are confident of their legs and figures.

Hassan Bizimana, 50, a father of three teenage girls, says, "I give my daughters the right to wear whatever they want because I know that if I restrict them, they will still secretly wear them,” says Bizimana.

Bizimana admits that though he gives his daughters freedom to wear what they choose, he is aware of the dangers of some of the fashions, especially clothes which reveal too much of the wearer’s skin or figure. He says they may lead to serious cases such as rape.

Whether men and some women feel comfortable or uncomfortable about this, it’s also a fashion and it’s on high demand. A person who is insecure or who has had a strict upbringing with severe morals will undoubtedly dislike these items.

Although shorts and minis for Rwandan women and girls did not become fashion items until recently, the trend has spread quickly.

James Mutamba, at Top 10 Boutique, says that the demand for minis and short pants is very high, and that their fashions are in different designs, which gives clients variety.

"There are tight shorts, pocketed, comfortable walkers, with colour fastness and so on,” he adds.

There are also these "micro-mini” short pants, which are often worn with leggings, or just alone depending on the wearer’s choice. And these are mostly worn by celebrities, and the trend is mostly considered as beach wear.

Contact: lindaonly2005@yahoo.com