What is considered to be appropriate dress code?

In 2016 news had spread like wildfire on all social media platforms and even on some mainstream online news outlets abroad. What had become the talk of town concerned the alleged ban (by the government) on certain dress codes while walking within the streets of Tanzania.

It was alleged that women were banned from wearing clothes that were too revealing (mini skirts). For men, it was said that no man was allowed to wear pants that were pulled below the waist line – otherwise known as ‘sagging’.

Such a situation raised mixed reactions from different individuals. While the more conservative populace favoured the alleged ban, stating that it was in line with Tanzania’s cultural norms and upheld a certain level of decency, others aired their grievances by equating such a move to a barbaric leadership that infringes on the rights of its people.

In the end it was made clear that all that was just but a rumour. But the attention and tension it evoked not just from Tanzanians, but from people outside our borders shed light to the importance that’s attached to one’s appearance or form of dressing.

Generally, Tanzania is viewed as a conservative country, one that is modest in many spheres, choice of apparel being among such influences. However, as a modern society that witnesses change and development everyday, our sort of dress code has evolved over time. Gone are the ancient days when women and men wore leaves to cover their private body parts, today options are in plenty as to the choice of outfit one prefers wearing.

For instance, foreigners coming into the country are at times cautioned against wearing outfits that are too revealing when in public. This is especially so in areas such as Zanzibar and other places considered to be too traditional.

Public offices

Being a conservative state, one that adheres to certain rules of decorum, it doesn’t come as a surprise that in some government buildings, a woman wearing a tightly fitting outfit or a dress/skirt that is short will find her journey into the building cut short at the main gate. She will not be able to go past the security guards. This woman will be asked to go back home and wear something that is considered to be more appropriate or she will be given a khanga to cover herself up with before gaining entrance in to the public office building.

Such was the unfortunate incident that Maria Michael, 25, encountered when she visited the public offices of Kinondoni Municipal Council. While at the entrance, two guards ordered her to find a khanga to cover herself up, claiming that what she had worn was contradictory to the dress code considered acceptable while in visiting the public office.

Maria was dressed in a fitting suit; it brought out her curves. “I think they looked at my curvy body and decided that I should not enter a public office. I didn’t know that even in a suit, one could still be denied access to a public office,” she says.

It is not uncommon these days to find pictures of dress codes tacked on notice boards directing people on what is considered appropriate outfit----how a visitor should show up at the premises.

At the entrance of Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College located in Mikocheni, there’s a big sign post at the entrance with vivid images directing university students on what sort of outfits the school deems acceptable. Due to its religious affiliation, some of the students aren’t too bothered by such a decision. But one first year student who preferred anonymity wasn’t too thrilled to find out that the university has restrictions as to what form of clothes are acceptable within the school compound.

“I thought such rules were only made in lower level learning institutions such as secondary schools,” he says, further adding, “when I was told that university is a place where one is met with complete freedom, I didn’t expect to find such a restriction.”

Even though more common cases of being denied access to enter into a building happen to individuals seeking entrance to government offices, other places such as religious premises, learning institutions and some private offices also have strict rules on how employees and visitors should wear while in the vicinity of such buildings.

Women have often been at the receiving end when it comes to being judged based upon one’s appearance. If one is dressed in short clothes she is immediately called a ‘hooker’ or someone seeking the attention of rich men. Perception from society has made women relinquish their rights to express themselves through their dress code. They have become confined to this state of fear over what people will say if they wore a certain outfit.

Generally, there isn’t a defined guideline on how one should wear when seeking entrance into a public office.

According to President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance (PO PSMGG) a letter providing clothing guidance to all public office staff and all citizens who need services in those offices was issued.

The document was available except execution wasn’t implemented, so, soon it will begin to be used throughout the country.

Renowned fashion designer, Mustafa Hassanali, says women are duty-bound to appear decent while in office premises. Regardless of their reasons there, they should be some sort of respect as one seeks to gain service from a certain office. Even though one might wish to express their fashion sense in a certain type of way, they should be cognizant of their surroundings.

There are different ways of dressing that should be in tandem with a specific occasion.

Business casual is a standard dress code for offices. While the term can vary depending on your workplace, it generally refers to office-appropriate clothes that are done-up without being overly formal. Aim to look polished but relaxed,

Most office dress codes are formal and follow certain ethically underlying factors.

Director of Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TGNP) Lilian Liundi, says education about dress code is of utmost importance and everyone should be educated.

Meanwhile, the director also argues that everyone is free to wear the way they like, stressing that no one should limit anyone on how to dress so long as no laws are being broken.

She also stresses on the importance of teaching children how to dress to different occasions, and also making them become accustomed of our cultural outfits. This will help them follow our ethics and traditional standards in as far as dressing is concerned. “People shouldn’t be forced to appear a certain way, one should dress the way they feel like dressing unless the law categorically states otherwise,” she says.

For her part, a religious teacher based in Dar es Salaam, Catherine Sesse, says that women should dress in accordance to biblical scriptures.

“The mode of dressing as indicated in religious books makes one gain respect before the public, as such, church dressing should be different from evening walk outfit and vice versa,” she notes.

Ms Sesse further states that decent dressing translates to how one behaves on a spiritual level, noting that it places one in a certain position in society.

She calls upon women to have regard for what the Holy book says, pointing out that a woman’s body should be akin to God’s temple.

It is divine in nature.

Gifty George, a Project manager based in the city, stresses that it is time the constitution stated succinctly the values and ethics that guide Tanzania’s dress code.

“Women should bear in mind that appearing in miniskirts and tight dresses are reasons for all forms of temptations from both men and women,” she says.

Tanzania doesn’t have an official national dress code, though some perceive the Masai cultural wear to be a representation of our country’s general form of wear on the international stage, what remains to be emblematic of how we dress as a people remains in limbo.

For now, the standard of public dress code depends on where one is going.

Advice to women; never go to Kariakoo market or any densely populated area dressed in a skimpy outfit, you will be verbally and physically harassed.