This weekend I was thinking about an interesting conversation I had with a friend from the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho few years ago about the country’s people and culture. I was more interested in the blankets which I have seen Basotho men and women wearing. She explained that the blanket is a status symbol and a token of cultural identification. The blankets are gifted for occasions such as birth, initiation ceremonies into adulthood and marriage.
Beside it being a symbol of culture and pride of its people, the Basotho blanket is also an essential daily protective garment against the bitter Lesotho winters. Men usually wear the blanket as a cape, while women tend to wrap it around their waists or their body and fasten it at the shoulders.
I have seen these Basotho blankets trending on the world stage in the last few years. Fashion giants such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton have turned these tribal blankets into fashion accessories by introducing a series of capes, jackets and shawls for both men and women.
From a traditional blanket to catwalk
The high street outlets have also adapted the trend with a variety of blanket wraps this winter. Unlike the traditional firmer woollen Basotho blanket, most high street blanket wraps are made from much lighter synthetics but are nevertheless cosy and warm.
They also come in many different colours, so they go with outfits of any colour. If you want to add some tribal colours and warmth to your winter accessories this year, get yourself a blanket wrap!
Less than a century ago it was daring and rather scandalous for women to be seen wearing trousers. Wide leg trousers first began as lounge pants, becoming increasing popular as ‘beach pyjamas’ or resort clothing in the late 1920s. By 1930s the wide leg trousers took a more practical purpose as sports attire and women adopted this new set of clothing regardless of whether they played sport or not. Despite the popularity of the fashion trend, it was still unacceptable to wear them in public, apart from when playing sports or vacationing.
Beach pyjamas featured in a German fashion magazine in 1931
Katharine Hepburn posing in a pair of wide leg trousers in 1930 – 
As a break from my usual outfits made up of skinny trousers, dresses and skirts, I usually wear these trousers in winter as they are corduroy fabric. They are warm, comfortable, sleeky, easy to wear and they are so colourful that they cheer up the dark evenings. The colours also makes it easier for me to choose a top to wear them with. Every colour top goes with the trousers and that’s one less headache if you’re in a hurry.
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