Getting your patriotic colours on

Today, Uganda is celebrating its 50 years of independence. For the fashion conscious person, this is an opportunity to express your patriotism through fashion.

However, one needs to put into consideration that blending the national colours – black, yellow, and red, does not mean one has to look like they are competing with the flag for attention. In short, less is bound to appear more beautiful, and having all three colours from head to toe is bound to create a bizarre look.

The women
Women have a lot to choose from. One can choose to wear shoes, earrings, bracelets, shirts, pants, skirts or any other clothing item, in the colours of the flag. However, care must be taken in blending the colours, since a poor choice could create a rather congested and unattractive look.

If you choose to wear black jeans and a yellow vest, then accessorise with a red scarf, so the rest of the accessories like the earrings do not need to have these same colours as this makes the entire look rather shabby.

For the shoes, try African sandals which come in handy if one needs to create their patriotic look, especially if they have a beaded detail in black, yellow and red. Or you can match this up with ballets or pumps in one of the colours of the flag.

You can buy the shoes at various shopping points. For example at the African village, the prices of African sandals range from Shs30,000 to Shs70,000 and ballets are between Shs15,000 and Shs30,000 in downtown shops, while they cost Shs40,000 to Shs80,000 in the more pricey boutiques.

On the other hand, you could choose to hold a bag or purse in one of the colours. The bag should, however, have one colour or at least two of the colours. Other accessories that could be used to complete the look are hair bands, fascinators, waist belts and so many others. For instance, you can wear two of the colours as your main attire, say red and yellow, and accessorise with a black hair band.

The men
For the man going for a causual look, a black pair of denim pants with a yellow or red T-shirt will do. Just make sure that shirt is well fitting. If you are going for a more formal look, an all-black suit paired with a red or yellow tie is bound to make you look dashing, again, make sure the suit is fitting.

If you are not into wearing the colours of the flag as your outfit of the day, but still want to have something patriotic about it, try accessories only. This can be wrist bands, ties, scarves, belts or even armbands with the word Uganda on them.

Given that all three of our colours go well together or as a pair –yellow and black, red and yellow, black and red, there are many possibilities for you to explore. Go right ahead and do it.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com