Right from time immemorial, the Tswana people are known for their deep and strong affection for their cultural heritage, and one of the major ways through which they express this is in their fashion styles and different Tswana traditional attire. The shweshwe is one of the major and choice fabrics used by the Tswana people for making their unique Tswana traditional attire. Let’s get to know the best 42 Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire for men and women.
Tswana Attire For Ladies
Tswana ladies are known for their excellent choices in some of the latest and stylish attire for social events, corporate occasions, and outings of all kinds. Below are some of the Tswana attire for ladies you can dazzle in for the right occasion.
1. On And Off Shoulder Shweshwe Mini Flare Gown
This is a mini flare gown that runs from the top down to the mid-thigh, with one of the shoulders off while the other shoulder is on and puffy. It is a tightly fitted dress from the top to the waistline with a tiny waistband, and the remaining length of the dress from the waistband to where it terminates is loose and free with large pleats. The mini gown is made from a white-patched blue shweshwe material, and the right hand which is a long sleeve is made of navy-blue silk fabric. The silk fabric overlays the shweshwe fabric and runs from the shoulder, covering virtually the right side of the chest down to the waistline.
2. Off And On Fly Wing Shoulder Mini Gown
This is an amazing Tswana Shweshwe outfit suitable for ladies to rock on occasions and special outings. It is highly classy with a touch of excellence. The dress is a mini gown made of shweshwe and chocolate-brown finely-knitted fabric. It has the left shoulder off and the right shoulder on, with a flying wing mini-sleeve.
The dress is tightly fitted at the waistline and flares out from the waistline to where it terminates at the mid-thigh. Some edge-stitched pleats of finely-knitted fabric cover the left side of the chest from above the bosom down to the waistline, joining a wide, tightly fitted waistband, made from the same brown fabric. From the waistband, a pleated flap of the chocolate-brown fabric flares out, forming an overlap on the shweshwe material.
You can rock this attire with earrings, bangles, bracelets, and a nice handbag or pause to match the dress. Your choice of footwear must also match the attire for a charming and electrifying outlook.
3. One-Off One-On Shweshwe Mini Gown
For a high-taste, classic and elegant attire, this dress is your best bet, as it defines high class on a new level. The flare mini gown is made from a shweshwe material, and one of the shoulders is totally off, while the other shoulder is on (sleeveless) with a fold of shweshwe at the top of the shoulder. The gown is tightly fitted from the shoulder to the waistline, flaring out from the waistline to where it terminates, the dress is also pleated from the waistline to the mid-thigh where it terminates.
For your perfect look, you can rock the style with long earrings, bracelets, neck chains or necklaces, and nice footwear to match.
4. Shweshwe Sleeveless Mini Gown With V-neck
The beauty of this dress lies in its simplicity and classic look. The gown is sleeveless and short with its length running from the shoulder to the mid-thigh. The chest is open, with a V-neck shape, and also tightly fitted to the body from the top to the waistline, and flares out from there to the mid-thigh where it terminates. The dress is also pleated from the waistline downward. You can rock this dress with your jewelry to match the attire.
5. Off Shoulder Shweshwe Mini Gown
This dress is simple but gorgeous and suitable for ladies to rock for various social events and outings. It is one of the modern Tswana fashion styles common among young, sexy ladies. The dress is a mini gown that runs from the top to a little above the knee level, an off-shoulder and tightly-fitted gown from top to the waistline, flaring out from there down to where it terminates, and fully pleated, forming a bell shape. The dress also has beads covering the chest area.
6. Shweshwe Sleeveless And Backless Short Gown With open Chest
To look cozy many times may not be as expensive as you imagine, a dress like this will give you that sexy, attractive, and gorgeous look without blowing out your pocket or breaking the bank. The dress is a short sleeve and short gown that terminates at the knee level, with an open chest that reveals the cleavage, it also has an open back. The upper part of the body is tightly fitted from the top to the waistline, and flares out from there down to the knee, with full pleatings. The open back forms a big V-shape that terminates at the waist level. This style goes well with earrings, neck chains, necklaces, and bangles. You can likewise rock the dress with good footwear that matches the gown to give you that charming look.
7. Shweshwe One-Hand Long-Sleeve Gown
The fascinating look of this dress won’t let you go without taking a second look. The dress is a short gown that has its whole length terminated at the knee level, it has one shoulder on, which is a long sleeve made from a pure white fabric and puffed out, while the other hand is off-shoulder.
From the upper part of the body to the waistline is made with shweshwe material, and is tightly fitted, while from the waistline down to the mid-thigh is made with plain white fabric which is also fitted, and the last layer is shweshwe material which is flared out and free with pleatings round it. This style rocks well with earrings, necklaces, hand chains, bangles, and perfectly matched footwear.
8. Shweshwe Fishtail Two-piece Attire
This combination of two fabrics emits elegance, making it one nice Tswana traditional attire for young and sexy ladies to try out for their special events or even as casual wear. The short and well-fitted crop top runs from the top and terminates above the waistline. The two hands are short sleeves made with shweshwe material, and the closed neck has its tip taped round with a tiny piece of shweshwe material. The fitted skirt runs down to the mid-thigh and a layer of shweshwe fabric joins from there to the knee level, which is flared out and pleated, forming a fishtail.
9. Shweshwe Short Gown Semi-Open Shoulder
This is another incredible and charming shweshwe attire with a touch of creativity. The dress is short with an elastic fabric, which is tightly fitted to the body, with sleeveless and semi-open shoulders such that it has shweshwe bands at the shoulders. The elastic fabric covers from the neck with a round band, and runs down to the mid-thigh, while joined to the shweshwe fabric which flares out with pleatings. Also, the plain color elastic fabric opens at the chest region, revealing an underlay of the shweshwe fabric.
With a nice shoe, bangles, necklace or neck chain, earrings, or hand chains to match, you are sure of an outstanding look. The dress finds a connection between what traditional and semi-corporate attire should look like.
10. Shweshwe Short Gown With Open Shoulders
With this Shweshwe short gown with open shoulders, there is no limit to how creative you can get with your Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire. It is sleeveless with open shoulders and a closed chest and neck. The Shweshwe attire is tightly fitted to the body and runs from the upper part of the body down to the knee level. The tightly-fitted shweshwe fabric flares out from a level above the knee and is pleated round. This style is good to go with earrings, necklace or chain, hand chain, and nice footwear that matches the colors.
11. Sleeveless Gown With Long Fin
This is another magnificent style to use for your Sheshwe Tswana traditional attire in a body expressive design for ladies. It is a modest style that makes for both formal and informal outings. The dress is a short gown that runs from the top down to the knee level and is slim fitted, the gown is also a short sleeve with a long flap that runs and covers the two shoulders all the way down to the knee level. This dress goes well with jewelry and matching footwear of choice; ideally a high heel shoe or sandal.
12. Shweshwe Tswana Bell-Sleeve Gown
This dress is made of shweshwe and plain fabric. It is a tightly fitted dress that has long sleeves with a flare-out overlapping shweshwe fabric at the end of both hands. The gown is equally an open shoulder dress, with a tape of tiny shweshwe round the tip of the dress. At the base of the gown is attached a layer of shweshwe material, which also flares out and becomes free. You can rock this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire with a nice pair of shoes to match the dress, as well as simple jewelry.
13. Shweshwe Open Shoulder Long Gown
Well-packaged sexy ladies will surely fall in love with this gorgeous style, as it fits into different occasions, social events, and outings. It is an excellent way of showcasing your beauty and social inclination through good taste in fashion.
The gown is long, with an open shoulder and chest, revealing the cleavage, and a band of shweshwe that crosses over the neck to support the dress at the right and left side of the bosom. The slim-fitted gown runs from the top down and is joined to overlapping flaps of shweshwe fabric, and these flaps are heated round. This style can be rocked with a nice pair of shoes that match the gown.
14. Shweshwe On and Off Overlapping Gown
This is just another great way of defining your beauty through your look. The style is simple and classic. The gown has one shoulder off and one shoulder on and at the waistline, overlapping flaps of shweshwe material are attached, which are well pleated and run to the knee level, where the dress terminates. Plain red and shweshwe fabrics are blended together to have this stunning style. You can rock this style with moderate jewelry, as well as a nice pair of shoes matching the gown to have an incredible appearance.
15. Shweshwe Spaghetti Hand Long Gown
For the sexy, classy, and charming ladies who are fashionistas, this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire is a favorite of many ladies as it is a beauty enhancer. The gown is long and runs from the top all the way down to the toe. It is open in the chest region, as well as the shoulder. The dress is tightly fitted from the bust down to the waistline, and from there, it becomes loose and free downward. At a point below the knee, the free shweshwe fabric is pleated and flares out the more.
With a nice pair of slippers to match the long gown and earrings, neck chain or necklace, and bracelets, coupled with a nice hairdo, you are sure to look good in this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire.
16. Shweshwe Long Maternity Gown
Looking great and gorgeous can’t get any better than this stunning Shweshwe long maternity gown if what you need is a loose-fitting gown. With this Tswana attire, you can be sure of a comfy outing in a gown that makes you feel so comfortable and attractive.
This Shweshwe long maternity gown is free from the top down to the toes, and it has open shoulders and chest. The gown also becomes more loose and free as it goes down from the upper part of the body. Depending on your choice, the long shweshwe gown may have side pockets. Aside from that, you can rock this dress with a nice pair of shoes or slippers to match it, as well as jewelry and a matching colored bag to complement the color of the outfit.
17. Shweshwe Maxi Bubble Gown
This simple gown is a long bubble gown that runs from the top to the ankle. It has open shoulders and chest, with a tightly-fitted plain blue fabric covering from the bosom to a little above the waistline, it is then joined to a pleated shweshwe fabric, which is loose and free from the body. This runs all the way down to a little below the knee level and is joined again to another layer of pleated shweshwe fabric. The maxi bubble gown becomes loose from the body as it runs from the upper body down to the ankle.
You are good to go rocking this style with your preferable pair of shoes or nice sandals that match, you can also rock your jewelry with this dress.
18. High Flare Shweshwe Gown
That unique and cozy look you want may not be far from what this high flare Shweshwe gown has got to offer. This is just another unique way of rocking Shweshwe Tswana Traditional fabrics. The dress is made of shweshwe and plain blue fabric. It is a short gown running from the top to the knee level, the sleeves are also short with a shweshwe band round the edges.
The dress is body tight at the top to the waistline and flares out from there down to the knee level, where it terminates. The shweshwe band also tapes the edge of the neck, with an open chest that reveals the cleavage, also, the shweshwe band is formed into a ribbon and attached to the left shoulder. At the waist, there is a waistband and the flared out blue linen fabric is pleated, having three bands of shweshwe fabric round it at the edge around the knee level. A nice pair of high heel shoes that will perfectly match the gown, jewelry, and handbag that matches will make the look extra superb.
19. Knotted-Shoulder Full-Flare Shweshwe Gown
This style is straightforward, simple, and easy in its design. It is majorly made from shweshwe material, and nothing more. The plus-size Shweshwe gown is perfect for the plump and sexy ladies out there who want to look smart and well-packaged, it is also perfect for moderate-size ladies.
The plus-size long shweshwe gown has a full length to the ankle. Tightly fitted at the upper part of the body to the waistline, the gown flares out from the waistline down to the ankle. At both shoulders, it is knotted, and the gown has an open chest with no sleeve. Rocking this style with your jewelry won’t be a bad idea.
20. Shweshwe Mini Gown With Puffed Shoulders
This is another simple style that won’t see you spend much. It requires just one material, the shweshwe fabric. In its own way, it is unique and classy with a stunning finish. You can rock the Shweshwe mini gown with puffed shoulders with your earrings, bangles, bracelets, necklace, or neck chains. A nice pair of shoes that match the gown and a nice handbag to perfectly match the outfit.
The gown is short and terminates at the mid-thigh. It is open a little at the neck and has puffed shoulders that point upward. The long-sleeved hands are loose and free, also, the dress is loose and free from the body. A well-pleated shweshwe fabric, which is formed into a puff, is attached to the gown below the hip.
21. Shweshwe On-and-Of-Shoulder Mini Gown
Sexy is the word to qualify this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire for ladies. The mini gown runs from the upper body and terminates at the mid-thigh. The gown has one shoulder off and the other shoulder on, which is short sleeve and puffed with pleatings. The chest has three openings that form a design, and the fabric is heavily laced with matching beads, while the fabric flares out from the waistline down to the mid-thigh with heavy pleatings. The shweshwe material is also used as the headscarf.
Rocking this style with long or short earrings, neck chains, necklaces or trinkets, bracelets, and other jewelry makes it a perfect combination. Also, a nice handbag and pair of shoes that match the gown will portray a lasting impression of your fashion sense.
22. Shweshwe Short-Sleeve Sleeveless Gown
You can always get yourself to that high class of fashionistas by going for this stunning and attractive style. The Shweshwe Tswana gown is short, running to the knee level, with a tightly fitted top. With one of its shoulders as sleeveless and the other shoulder having a big, loose and pleated flap, as a short sleeve, the gown’s uniqueness is apparently assertive. An open-chest V-neck makes the cleavage revealed and at the waistline, the gown flares out and becomes loose with pleatings. With this Shweshwe short-sleeve sleeveless gown, you can rock your full jewelry along with matching footwear and handbag.
23. Shweshwe Long Skirt and Mini Blouse
If you are the full-bodied type, this dress is going to give you an edge and your body will bring out the embedded beauty of this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire. The top is a tightly fitted mini blouse with short sleeves with pleated flaps and the open chest V-neck reveals the cleavage. The long skirt has its length from the waistline down to the ankle, flaring out all the way and becoming looser as the length goes down to the ankle. The long skirt is also pleated from the waistline and has side pockets.
Your choice of footwear to be rocked with this attire is largely dependent on what you like. A nice sandal that matches the dress can get the job done, as well as a good pair of shoes that match the dress. The combination won’t be perfect and complete without your earrings, neck chain, necklace, hand chain, or bracelets. If you are a lover of handbags, a good-looking bag with a color that is slightly or fully matches the color of the dress won’t be a bad idea at all.
24. Shweshwe Off-Shoulder and Split Gown
This dress has what it takes to show that being unique is not the same thing as being expensive. You can be expensive and not unique, uniqueness is possible without blowing up your pocket, and that’s what this Shweshwe off-shoulder and split gown stands to represent. The shweshwe gown has its full length from the top to the ankle, with the top being off-shoulder and tightly fitted to the waistline, flaring out from there down to the ankle with pleatings. At the front side, the gown is split open at a level around the left thigh downward, revealing the thigh as you walk.
25. Shweshwe Plus-Size Mini Gown With Collar
Looking for a cool way to rock a mini gown as a plus-size lady without causing embarrassment? Here is a Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire that does the magic and gets the job done in a perfect way. You can rock this style with a matching pair of shoes, earrings, necklaces, hand chains, and other befitting jewelry. A nice-looking handbag that perfectly matches the dress won’t be a bad idea if you are a lover of it.
The dress is a free gown running to the mid-thigh. It has a normal corporate shirt collar, with buttons in the middle from the neck down. At the waistline is a tightly fitted waistband, and from the waistline, the shweshwe flares out, becoming looser as it goes down to the mid-thigh with full pleatings. Also, the short-sleeved arms are free and loose, forming big flaps with full pleatings.
26. A-line Shweshwe Skirt With Side Pockets
This is another magnificent way you can rock your shweshwe dress if you really need to go an uncommon route. The idea is just simple, the skirt is made of shweshwe material, while the top can be a corporate shirt or any matching top. The skirt has an A-line cut with its length running from the waistline down to the ankle. Tightly fitted at the waist down to the knee area, the long gown then flares out from there downwards with pleatings, the skirt also has side pockets.
With a nice top that matches the long skirt, the outing is already perfect. The top is tucked into the long skirt and rocked with benefiting jewelry like earrings, necklaces, bangles or bracelets, and more. Your choice of shoe must also match the dress to form an excellent combination.
Tswana Traditional Attire For Men
Just as there are various styles of Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire made for women to choose from, we also have some stunning Shweshwe traditional styles uniquely designed for men to choose from. Here are some of the Tswana traditional attire for men.
27. Men’s Shweshwe Long Sleeve Native Attire
Making an imprint with your choice of native attire speaks volumes about your personality, and what you choose to wear tells people about what you stand to represent. This style is surely classic wear for men of high standing, and you can put yourself in that level by rocking this attire.
The top is made from ash shweshwe and plain white fabric. The long-sleeved hands are made of the ash shweshwe fabric with two tiny white bands around the wrists, also the chest region is covered with shweshwe and joined to the white fabric all the way down to the mid-thigh with knitted white and ash shweshwe tiny bands slanting across the top. Also, the right shoulder has one large button and the left shoulder has a zip. The trouser is a plain white fabric and it is fitted.
28. Closed Neck Long-sleeve Tswana Attire
Looking good is confirmed with this amazing style. It is classy and smart enough to get you established as a fashion enthusiast. The dress is made of the same fabric with a closed neck and body fitted. The top runs from the upper part of the body down to the knee level, and the trouser is a straight one.
29. Shweshwe Long Sleeve Attire For Men
This is a combination of shweshwe and plain white fabric blended together. The top has the shweshwe designed around the chest, right from the neck down to the abdominal level, with a tiny piece of yellow lace material taped around the edge of the shweshwe and the edge of the wrists. Around the wrists are two star-like shweshwe designs, also at the right and left sides of the shweshwe design around the chest are two star-like designs made from white fabric. The dress is body fitted, with straight trousers made from white fabric.
30. Closed Neck Long Sleeve Shweshwe Attire
If you are the type that loves neck chains and hand chains, you are good to go with this attire. The attire has its top running from the upper part of the dress to the mid-thigh or a little below the mid-thigh, and it’s made of white cotton fabric, with a long dome shape of shweshwe material covering from below the chest button down to where the top terminates. The dress is tightly fitted to the body with long-sleeve hands, and the trouser is of white fabric material as well.
31. Shweshwe Long Sleeve Shirt
A blend of western and native fashion won’t be a bad idea, considering how deep western fashion styles have infiltrated the African fashion taste these days. A good example of a western-native blend is this Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire for men. It is a long sleeve shirt made with both shweshwe and black linen fabric. It has a closed neck when buttoned up and the linen forms a design with pleatings from the top to the waist region.
32. Pololess Shweshwe Shirt For Men
This shweshwe shirt comes with a piece of different cotton fabric, forming a band around the two wrists. The linen fabric also forms a half-neck collar and the button line from the neck down to where the shirt terminates.
33. Short Sleeve Shweshwe Shirt For Men
This shweshwe shirt has short sleeves, and the styling is majorly done with shweshwe material. The shirt’s length is moderate, running from the upper body to the mid-thigh or close to the mid-thigh and tightly fitted to the body. The shirt can go with a straight pair of trousers that matches perfectly.
34. Long Shweshwe Attire With Closed Neck
This is really a nice one for men of the high class to try, as it has a touch of perfection all over. The top runs all the way down to a point at the knee level and is perfectly fitted to the body. This is a long-sleeved top with a closed neck, with the left side lapping over the right side and buttoned-down all the way to where the top terminates. The trouser is straight.
35. Shweshwe Corporate Attire With White Collar And Wrists
This is an outfit for defining moments and another amazing way of expressing your Tswana personality through your appearance. Here, the top is a long one, running all the way down, close to the knee, and the neck has a closed-up collar, which is of white fabric and the wrists are also of white fabric. The rest of the Shweshe Tswana traditional attire is tightly fitted to the body with a matching pencil mouth straight trouser. It is best to wear this outfit with flat shoes and preferably, don’t wear socks.
Cultural Tswana Traditional Attire
Here is a collection of cultural Shweshwe Tswana traditional attires that are a perfect fit for most cultural occasions. These are not the regular shweshwe dresses as they are only adorned for important cultural events.
36. Sleeveless Shweshwe Cultural Dress With V-neck
This sleeveless Shweshwe cultural dress with v-neck is a style that genuinely expresses the Tswana cultural heritage. With its open chest and V-neck shape that reveals the cleavage, the upper part of the body is tightly fitted with a firm waistband. The dress flares out from the waistband and terminates at the ankle, with overlapping layers of blue linen net which are taped around with shweshwe bands. The headgear is made with shweshwe fabric and pleated round to form some sort of a crown.
37. Beaded Gown With Short Sleeves
This is a cultural dress that depicts the rich tradition of the Tswana people. It is a short gown that flares from the waist down to the knee level, and it is also pleated round from the waistline. The gown has short sleeves and a closed-up chest with knitted colorful beads around the neck region. It also has a big white and black designed ring to be worn around the neck.
38. Tswana Long Gown With Beads And Overall Cover
This style is just classic and unique for special outings. The attire is a long gown that touches the toes and is tightly fitted at the upper body to the waist level, it then becomes loose and free from the waist downward. The chest is open a little to show the cleavage, with colorful beads around the shoulders. It is a sleeveless dress that has a cape that covers from the shoulders down to the ankle level. The headscarf is designed with beads too.
39. Long Gown With Lace Design
This is a long gown with full length, the neck is closed, covered with a piece of net fabric and the two long-sleeve hands are also made from the same net fabric. The dress is tightly fitted from up to the mid-thigh and free from there downward.
40. Tswana Cultural Attire With Beads And Flanks
This is another magnificent Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire with an amazing look. It’s suitable for traditional weddings, Heritage Day and some cultural events. The dress is an overlapping multilayered long gown that runs from the top down to the ankle. It is heavily beaded around the neck, chest, and shoulders, with big flaps that hang down from the flanks.
41. Long Skirt And Mini Singlet
This is another sexy and modern way to rock your cultural attire. The dress has a mini singlet as the blouse and a long skirt that runs to the ankle. The skirt is loose and free all the way down, and the shoulder is covered with a blanket. A big neck plate with a design is hung around the neck, with a nice headgear to match.
42. Tswana Cultural Attire With Neck Beads
This Shweshwe Tswana traditional attire dress is made of a sleeveless top like a singlet, and the skirt is long enough to cover the ankle. The neck is covered with multicolored beads, which also cover the open chest. The shoulders are covered with a blanket, and the skirt is free from the body. The headscarf is made with the same fabric, with some nice designs.
Summary List of the Best Shweshwe Tswana Traditional Attires
Tswana Attire For Ladies
1) On And Off Shoulder Shweshwe Mini Gown
2) Off And On Fly Wing Shoulder Mini Gown
3) One-Off One-On Shweshwe Mini Gown
4) Shweshwe Sleeveless Mini Gown With V-neck
5) Off Shoulder Shweshwe Mini Gown
6) Shweshwe Sleeveless And Backless Short Gown With open Chest
7) Shweshwe One-Hand Long-Sleeve Gown
8) Shweshwe Fishtail Short Gown
9) Shweshwe Short Gown Semi-Open Shoulder
10) Shweshwe Short Gown With Open Shoulders
11) Shweshwe Sleeveless Gown With Long Fin
12) Shweshwe Tswana Bell-Sleeve Gown.
13) Shweshwe Open Shoulder Long Gown
14) Shweshwe On and Off Overlapping Gown
15) Shweshwe Open Chest long Gown
16) Shweshwe Long Maternity Gown
17) Shweshwe Maxi Bubble Gown
18) High Flare Shweshwe Gown
19) Knotted-Shoulder Plus-Size Shweshwe Gown
20) Shweshwe Mini Gown With Puffed Shoulders
21) Shweshwe On-and-Of-Shoulder Mini Gown
22) Shweshwe Short-Sleeve and Sleeveless Gown
23) Shweshwe Long Skirt and Mini Blouse
24) Shweshwe Off-Shoulder and Split Gown
25) Shweshwe Plus-Size Mini Gown With Collar
26) A-line Shweshwe Skirt With Side Pockets
Tswana Traditional Attire For Men
27) Men’s Shweshwe Long Sleeve Native Attire
28) Closed Neck Long-sleeve Tswana Attire
29) Shweshwe Long Sleeve Attire For Men
31) Shweshwe Long Sleeve Shirt
32) Pololess Shweshwe Shirt For Men
33) Short Sleeve Shweshwe Shirt For Men
34) Long Shweshwe Attire With Closed Neck
35) Shweshwe Corporate Attire With White Collar And Wrists
Cultural Tswana Traditional Attire
36) Sleeveless Shweshwe Cultural Dress With V-neck
37) Beaded Gown With Short Sleeves
38) Tswana Long Gown With Beads And Overall Cover
39) Long Gown With Lace Design
40) Tswana Cultural Attire With Beads And Flanks
41) Long Skirt And Mini Singlet
42) Tswana Cultural Attite With Neck Beads