Bride and Groom Expo
Dress to impress: Style secrets from the Bride & Groom Expo
“Wear something you are comfortable in - something that reflects who you are. Fashion begins with the individual because we all have different personalities and tastes.”
Dress to impress: Style secrets from the Bride & Groom Expo
By: Richard Ategeka, Journalist @New Vision
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The first impression you make is often not what you say, but what you wear. Whether you are attending an office meeting, wedding, cultural ceremony or evening event, your outfit quietly communicates confidence, personality and sometimes, status.
Yet many people still struggle to dress appropriately for different occasions, often choosing outfits that leave them feeling uncomfortable or out of place. Fashion and cultural wear experts say dressing well is about more than following trends.
It starts with understanding your body shape, choosing the right fabrics and colours, dressing for the occasion and, above all, wearing clothes that make you feel confident.
Speaking at the Bride & Groom Expo at the UMA Show Grounds in Lugogo, Maureen Birungi, chief executive officer of Ferry and Momo Executive Collections, said one of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing clothes without considering comfort, individuality and the occasion.
“Wear something you are comfortable in - something that reflects who you are. Fashion begins with the individual because we all have different personalities and tastes,” she said. Birungi noted that many clients worry about turning up to an event wearing the same outfit as someone else.
“I try to minimise repetition. When someone spends money on a dress, they should feel unique when they wear it.” Her collections cater for different ages, body shapes and budgets, with sizes ranging from 8 to 24. “Women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Confidence comes from wearing clothes that fit you well,” she said.
She added that customers can find quality designer outfits at far more affordable prices than buying directly online. “You might find a designer dress worth sh600,000 online, but here it could cost around sh200,000. We carefully select pieces to suit different budgets.”
Birungi also believes fashion has no age limit. Age is just a number. A 50-year-old can feel 30 and still dress in a way that makes them feel confident. It all depends on the individual.”
Quality and colour matter
“Wear something you are comfortable in - something that reflects who you are. Fashion begins with the individual because we all have different personalities and tastes,” she said. Birungi noted that many clients worry about turning up to an event wearing the same outfit as someone else.
“I try to minimise repetition. When someone spends money on a dress, they should feel unique when they wear it.” Her collections cater for different ages, body shapes and budgets, with sizes ranging from 8 to 24. “Women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Confidence comes from wearing clothes that fit you well,” she said.
She added that customers can find quality designer outfits at far more affordable prices than buying directly online. “You might find a designer dress worth sh600,000 online, but here it could cost around sh200,000. We carefully select pieces to suit different budgets.”
Birungi also believes fashion has no age limit. Age is just a number. A 50-year-old can feel 30 and still dress in a way that makes them feel confident. It all depends on the individual.”
Quality and colour matter
While contemporary fashion focuses on personal expression, traditional attire remains central to many cultural ceremonies. Vanessa Nalweyiso of Bellarina's Fashion and Design, based at Namaganda Plaza in Kampala, said fabric quality and colour selection are among the most overlooked aspects of dressing well.
“Before buying traditional wear, people should pay attention to the quality of the fabric because materials differ. We always help clients choose the best quality.” She added that colours should complement a person's complexion and personal style.
“When customers come to us, we help them choose colours that suit their complexion because we specialise in cultural wear, bridal attire and traditional outfits for both men and women.”
Nalweyiso also encouraged customers to do their research before purchasing outfits for ceremonies such as kukyala and weddings. “Visit different shops, compare quality and prices, and even bring inspiration from Pinterest so we can create exactly what you want.”
Like Birungi, she believes fashion should be inclusive. “We have outfits for all sizes and all kinds of people. Everyone deserves to feel represented and confident in what they wear.”
Dress for the occasion
The experts agreed that one of the most common fashion mistakes is wearing clothing that does not suit the event. “You can't wear club attire to church or dress for a wedding the same way you would for a casual outing. Every occasion has its own dress code,” Birungi said.
She added that while professional advice is helpful, the final choice should always rest with the customer. “We advise, but we don't force. At the end of the day, the customer should feel confident in what they choose.”
The experts agreed that confidence is the true measure of good style. Whether it's a tailored executive outfit or a carefully selected traditional ensemble, the right clothing should help you walk into any room feeling comfortable, confident and completely yourself.
These insights were shared at the Bride & Groom Expo, held under the theme, Beyond I Do: A Journey of Love, Home and Family.
Sponsored by Pepsi, Bella Wines and Looks Bespoke, in partnership with Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Oppein Uganda and Roke Telecom, the expo brings together leading fashion houses, wedding vendors and lifestyle brands, offering visitors expert advice, exclusive discounts and the latest trends.
“Before buying traditional wear, people should pay attention to the quality of the fabric because materials differ. We always help clients choose the best quality.” She added that colours should complement a person's complexion and personal style.
“When customers come to us, we help them choose colours that suit their complexion because we specialise in cultural wear, bridal attire and traditional outfits for both men and women.”
Nalweyiso also encouraged customers to do their research before purchasing outfits for ceremonies such as kukyala and weddings. “Visit different shops, compare quality and prices, and even bring inspiration from Pinterest so we can create exactly what you want.”
Like Birungi, she believes fashion should be inclusive. “We have outfits for all sizes and all kinds of people. Everyone deserves to feel represented and confident in what they wear.”
Dress for the occasion
The experts agreed that one of the most common fashion mistakes is wearing clothing that does not suit the event. “You can't wear club attire to church or dress for a wedding the same way you would for a casual outing. Every occasion has its own dress code,” Birungi said.
She added that while professional advice is helpful, the final choice should always rest with the customer. “We advise, but we don't force. At the end of the day, the customer should feel confident in what they choose.”
The experts agreed that confidence is the true measure of good style. Whether it's a tailored executive outfit or a carefully selected traditional ensemble, the right clothing should help you walk into any room feeling comfortable, confident and completely yourself.
These insights were shared at the Bride & Groom Expo, held under the theme, Beyond I Do: A Journey of Love, Home and Family.
Sponsored by Pepsi, Bella Wines and Looks Bespoke, in partnership with Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Oppein Uganda and Roke Telecom, the expo brings together leading fashion houses, wedding vendors and lifestyle brands, offering visitors expert advice, exclusive discounts and the latest trends.