Wow, look at shweshwe now

*LINDA SPARG | Tuesday January 10, 2012 00:00

 

Used for everyday wear, but also for weddings and other traditional ceremonies, shweshwe used to be manufactured only in chocolate brown, blue and red, but now new colours have been introduced.

Neil Cowie, owner of Cowie Trading, the largest wholesaler and distributor of shweshwe throughout southern Africa, including Botswana, says: 'Although the older generation still prefers brown, red and blue, we are finding the younger generation loves the exciting new colours in original shweshwe.'

So, if you're planning a traditional wedding, you could make a splash with these bold new tones.

Da Gama Textiles, the only manufacturer of genuine shweshwe, is now blending turquoise, green and gold with the brown.

And the company has introduced hot pink and purple shweshwe, which are proving highly popular.

These hues are perfect for light, airy summer dresses that beat the summer heat. Why not have your own original shweshwe creation made by a seamstress?

Beware of imitations though. Chinese and other textile manufacturers try to copy shweshwe, but the fakes are not as good as the real thing. Original shweshwe is 90 centimetres wide as opposed to 150cm wide. All original shweshwe has a Da Gama stamp on the reverse side of the fabric. Also, the cloth is starchy and must be washed prior to being sewn up.  Original shweshwe is 100 percent cotton, so it's a sure summer cooler.