The White 3D T-Shirts That Lit Up Christmas Across Kenya

Christmas Day across Kenya was marked by the widespread wearing of brightly printed 3D T-shirts, worn by children and adults in towns and villages nationwide.

The garments, featuring bold three-dimensional designs with cartoon figures and modern graphics, emerged as the most popular festive clothing choice. In Kisumu, high demand led to long queues outside retail outlets from mid-December, as shoppers rushed to buy the shirts before supplies were exhausted.

Among the buyers was Celine Anyango, who was travelling from Malindi to Siaya County and stopped in Kisumu to purchase several shirts for her children and nephews. She said she wanted them to wear what was considered fashionable for the season and recalled waiting in line as demand increased.

However, the widespread adoption of the shirts reduced their distinctiveness. Ms Anyango said her enthusiasm faded when she realised how common the designs were. At Usenge Market, she found it difficult to identify her children in the crowd because so many others were dressed the same way.

Similar experiences were reported by other parents. Jane Akoth, a resident of Kisumu, said she bought matching shirts for her children at Kibuye Market, believing they were unique. She later realised that the same designs were being worn throughout the town, making the outfits appear uniform.

The trend extended beyond children. Families wore matching shirts, while young men paired them with distinctive haircuts and denim jeans. The style was widely seen in both urban areas and rural markets. Some parents chose not to follow the trend, citing a desire to maintain their children’s individuality. David Muyoma said he deliberately avoided buying the shirts and was satisfied that his children dressed differently.

For traders, the demand resulted in strong sales. Kisumu businessman Geoffrey Kasera said most shops sold out by Christmas Eve. The original shirts, introduced earlier in the season at Sh1,000, were too expensive for many buyers. Cheaper versions soon entered the market, selling for between Sh350 and Sh500, with children’s sizes available for as little as Sh300.

Supplies sourced mainly from Gikomba Market in Nairobi enabled the shirts to reach markets across the country. Mr Kasera said while the original products were popular, lower-priced alternatives dominated sales due to affordability. Competition eventually pushed the price of the original versions down to about Sh300.

He added that traders earned higher returns from the generic shirts despite their lower quality, as they sold in larger quantities. The designs, he said, were largely similar, with differences mainly in fabric and finishing. What began as a fashion choice became a shared experience for many families during the holiday period.