As Rwanda progresses, there are significant changes in all aspects, including fashion. However, this is often a topic of disagreement. When older people are asked about today’s fashion, some do not hesitate to associate it with improper behavior, and they claim it makes some people appear disreputable.

One person said, 'A young man should dress appropriately; he shouldn’t wear clothes that draw unwanted attention on the streets. We are out on the streets and witness accidents every day. If someone hits a parent and then wears inappropriate clothing, only the good Samaritans come to help and cover them.'

Another person said, 'You might judge someone based on their choice of clothing. For instance, if someone prefers to wear short and revealing clothes, you might assume they lack modesty. Even if someone has a good heart, seeing them dressed inappropriately can lead to misconceptions. Some men dress poorly, and sometimes, I see a man’s outfit and feel like he doesn’t deserve respect.'”

As Rwanda advances, there are many changes in various areas, including fashion. However, this often leads to disagreements. When older people are asked about today’s fashion, some do not hesitate to link it to behavior and claim it makes some people appear disreputable.

One person said, 'A young man should dress appropriately; he shouldn’t wear clothes that attract unwanted attention on the streets. We are out on the streets and witness accidents daily. If someone hits a parent and then dresses inappropriately, only good Samaritans come to help and cover them.'

Another person said, 'You might judge someone based on their choice of clothing. For instance, if someone prefers to wear short and revealing clothes, you might assume they lack modesty. Even if they have a good heart, seeing them dressed this way can lead to misconceptions. Some men dress poorly, and sometimes, when I see how a man is dressed, I feel that he does not deserve respect.'"

"This fashion trend is often attributed to the youth, who argue that their clothing style has no relation to their behavior.

According to a 2023 study conducted by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement through the Cultural Commission, 76.6% of respondents view current fashion positively, while 23.4% think it is inappropriate. Among those who dress inappropriately, 90.2% are youth, 12% are adults, and 7.6% are children.

Written by: Donatha UWAJENEZA; Story by Vestine Umurerwa.