Fashion Trends

When I think 'economically developing country', I don't automatically think fashion statements. So you can imagine my surprise when fashion trends start popping up around the village.

It all started right after I moved to site. It was like a massive crate of jellies had been air lifted into Rwanda. In case you missed out on jellies all your life and are thoroughly confused aka you are male - they are shoes, plastic-y and summer chic of the female variety. For a moment I thought I time traveled back to the 90s (and there was probably a resurgence in the US since then). Rwandans were scooping up jellies like they were the key to becoming cool. I practically got sucked in myself. I was on the way to the market to pick up a pair when I realized I didn't need to buy yet another pair of uncomfortable shoes in Rwanda.

Then came the knitting. Ever since school went on break for the holidays, all my teacher neighbors have been sitting out by the water pump knitting. They kept knitting and knitting and low and behold ponchos started coming out of nowhere. The first time I almost fell over on the ground laughing, looking at a Rwandan woman in a poncho, thinking of Ugly Betty. This very morning, I saw two tiny sisters wearing identical ponchos and I knew we've hit the height of this fashion trend.

So what will be next: snap bracelets, scrunchies, capris, baby doll dresses with cardigans, pencil skirts? If you have any premonitions, let me know. I'm still trying to achieve my Rwandan popularity.