Fashion Smashion

The American Greta loved getting new clothes, shoes, bags, jewelery- all of it.  The Fiji Greta would rather spend her extra money in other ways.  I cannot imagine going into a mall right now, what that would be like - finding just what you had in mind and its in your size with a variety of colors to choose from. I enjoy going to a store, seeing something I like & buying it -I was never ever a fan of bargain shopping or digging for clothes at places like good will or second-hand shops, but that is what they have here. Don't get me wrong, I was lucky enough to find a fantastic pair of jeans, jean capri's, and a fantastic UNFORGIVABLE long sleeve tee with a hood (yeah, its Sean John) at a second-hand store in Lautoka. Part of the problem is my level of patience, its very low. I rarely want  to look around and casually shop, get in & get out is more my motto - always has been. But I am hoping that living in Fiji for 2 years will tap into the bargain hunter in me.

Some reasons why I do not shop in Fiji

• Money - I'm a volunteer! 
• Size - NO IDEA what size I would be here
• Selection - There is very little
• Overwhelming - the stores shove so much stuff into their little space as possible, its suffocating 
• Quality - unsure about the quality of the clothes & shoes - every pair of flip flops I've bought have lasted me 2 weeks tops, but I only spent 5 bucks on them, so that could be why
• Price - to think about spending 40 FJD on an article of clothing racks my brain! I only buy half of the bundle of vegetables in the market to save 50 cents.
• Washing - the more I buy, the more I have to wash

Fashion Around town
Traditional Dress
There are two schools of traditional dress here
1. Fijian -  Sulu Jaba & pocket Sulu
2. Indian - Sari & Sarwan Kami's

A sulu jaba (pronounced ch-am-ba- at least that's how I say it) is custom made outfit, made from the finest, most colorful bula fabric you can find. The traditional look is a long top - down to about your knees, with a matching ankle-length skirt underneath. Now, the fancier ones have shin-length matching skirts with a matching silk skirt - but those are mostly reserved for Sunday church.  However; you can find women wearing sulu jabas all around town, and lots of different varieties these days.

My co-worker Elini 

Ladies around town

            

                            

                 

A pocket sulu is worn by men. Yes, basically its a wrap-skirt, but it does look classy & is probably pretty breezy for the fellas. There is a statue of the man who invented the pocket sulu in Suva.

Sari's and Kamis are worn by the Indian ladies - they are always so colorful. I really give it up to the women who where a sari into town to do their shopping, those things are Hot & there is so much fabric.

 

Tee-Shirts

Fiji has some VERY interesting fashion. I often hear from other volunteers about tee-shirts they see on Fijians in town. My favorite so far is a girl who saw a man wearing a tee that said "I'm not listening to you because I'm to busy being awesome"  I really wish I had a picture of that.  

One of my favorite shirts I've seen hanging in a shop front was a Laker's tee spelled wrong - I think they spelled it Laeker's. There is also a wide tank-top with JaRule on it, I'm thinking about getting it for a birthday gift for another PCV. 

Matching
It is perfectly acceptable to get up & go with whatever clothes you decide to put on that day.  I am trying to adopt this aspect of the culture, but it is difficult for me to put on my brown sandals with a grey skirt.
ALL Fijians love bright colors - it does look nice on their beautiful dark skin, Indo-Fijians love sequins. They also think white people are so BORING with our earth tones.

                                        
     

  

    

School Uniforms
There are lots and lots of school children around town.  They always look so nice with their white outfits. We have had a few conversations about getting some made for us for Halloween.

Casual wear

Between the traditional wear, mismatching & school uniforms, I was able to find a few people who can put an outfit together.

          

      

   

  

Shoes

Shoes are not necessary, unless you are going to a club - then you have to make sure you aren't wearing flip-flops or have shoes with a back strap. I was at a local place when the bouncer came up to me & said my friend didn't have proper shoes on....she had to switch shoes with the bartender. I also really enjoy when I see two young people walking down the street sharing shoes, they each take a flip flop. Sharing is nice.

The standard shoe around town is a flip flop - this is why I love Fiji.  Every so often I will find a lady trying to wear heels, but its muddy and dirty here, its just not worth it.  You can find me wearing heels from time to time. They make me feel pretty, but are not practical while living here.....at all.

I really enjoy the Fiji fashion, it makes me smile.

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