Congolese Sapeurs Kilts

[CMcG]

Apparently there is a sub-culture in the Congo that has adopted the kilt. Sapeurs (members of the Society for the Advancement of People of Elegance) have been defined thus:

"sapeur (n, var):
A sapeur is a member of
'La SAPE' (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elégantes), an exclusive club based around a flamboyant, but impeccably groomed style
of dress.

Sapeurs elevate European haute couture designer fashions to the status of mock religion, enjoying street posing & style demonstrations. Sapeurs also have their own code of honour, based on good manners, politeness and morality. Sapeurs reject violence, as its thought that if your clothes can't do your fighting for you, you're not a real sapeur."

Franca Eirich, 2009
social researcher
www.oranges-and-apples.com

While I think they are more successful with their take on the suit, I applaud their appreciation of the kilt. Let's not be too hard on some of the less successful kilt outfits... I can't imagine how difficult finding a proper Highland attire shop in the Congo must be Their style is sort of retro but has a definite dandy or foppish overtone.

Here are some pics. Anyone ever been to that part of the world? Any thoughts on les sapeurs?








For comparison here are some pics of sapeurs in suits, which seems to be a more common and successful choice:

[RayMc]

Pretty cool & interesting stuff. I do know that the last known ancestral chief of the Clan Chattan Confederation was last known to be in Zimbabwe sometime in the early 60's. Perhaps he rubbed of a bit???

[Ryan Ross]

They should stick to pants, as from the looks of it, the Congo breeds spindle shanks.

[chrisupyonder]

Well I actually think the guys in kilts look smarter than the guys in suits.

It is a different culture with different ideas as to latest fashions. If it means more publicity for male unbifurcated garments then I am with them.

Chris.

[Tobus]

I don't know how those guys can wear these kinds of outfits in that environment and NOT have to use violence on occasion. They must be pretty brave fellows.

The first suit picture is my favorite by far. That doesn't look foppish or strange to me. In fact, it looks downright stylish, like something you'd see in an alley behind a New Orleans jazz club.

[Spartan Tartan]

Where did you find this information?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Quite interesting. I wonder who supplies their clothing, or if they simply go into local tailors and describe what they want and have it made to the best of their tailor's ability.

[CMcG]

Where did you find this information?

I found the first mention of les sapeurs in my facebook feed from a guy I know in Malaysia...

The internet is a wild and crazy place, eh?


http://www.killerscene.com/index.php...hion&Itemid=68
http://thesapologist.blogspot.com/
http://zonezero.com/exposiciones/fot...lla/index.html

[NorCalPiper]

Just a correction-
Zaire is not the name of the country anymore. Its now Congo after Kabila gave Mabutu Sazaseko the heave-ho. I lived for 6 years in Sub-Saharan Africa and never saw anything like this....TOTALLY COOL THOUGH!

[mookien]

I think their kilts look grand. I particularly like the blue-green with the tartan vest. I would recommend a ruche tie, but the guy in red kilt may have something like one on. In any case they all look better in kilts than I do with my Dunlap disease. ;-)