As 2025 draws to a close, it is doing so in bold colour and louder graphics.
The latest fashion conversation dominating Kenyan social media is the rise of 3D graphic cartoon T-shirts, a trend that has not only caught on fast, but also sparked heated debate around classism, taste and fashion consciousness.
The brightly printed T-shirts, often splashed with oversized cartoon characters that appear to “pop” off the fabric, have flooded streets, malls, beaches and even worship spaces this festive season.
While some celebrate the trend’s playful appeal, others have dismissed it as tasteless — a reaction that has drawn sharp pushback online.
Instagram user @.n._imo weighed in with a video condemning the criticism, saying, “…kuna ka-classism fulani iko Kenya and guys to be honest, let’s grow up, let’s be adults. Kuna watu wansema wenye huvaa hizi ni washamba — stop it. Who made you fashion commander? Everyone’s taste cannot be the same. Let people live and dress how they want.”
Others took a more sarcastic tone. @a.d.r.i.a.n.n commented, “…uku ocha 3D ndio inawateka…”, while @g_idie_._ joked, “…vile zilikuwa zimejaa ungedhani birthday ni ya Tom and Jerry…”.
Despite the mixed reactions, the popularity of the 3D T-shirts is undeniable.
Their appeal lies in their eye-catching visuals, glossy finishes and nostalgic cartoon imagery, elements that resonate strongly with Kenya’s youthful, expressive street culture.
The designs blend graffiti-style artwork with exaggerated proportions, creating a loud, unapologetic aesthetic that demands attention.
Fashion in Kenya, as elsewhere, has long mirrored shifts in society and culture.
Here, clothing has always been a tool for self-expression and identity. Garments such as the Maasai shuka, kitenge and kikoi have consistently made bold fashion statements, while also carrying cultural symbolism tied to age, status and community.
Over time, the influence of Western fashion has blended with local inspiration, shaping everyday wear across generations.
Millennials, for instance, recall festive seasons defined by hipster bell-bottom jeans, distressed “dirty” denim, tumbo-cuts, oversized bombshell belts and lazily tucked-in T-shirts.
Today’s Gen Z has embraced a different revival — one that draws heavily from 1980s and early 1990s “old-school” fashion.
Platform leather shoes, extremely baggy jeans, cropped tank tops (once dubbed “spaghetti tops”), layered beads worn visibly over trousers and earthy, gypsy-inspired styling dominate the look.
For young men, the aesthetic leans toward oversized T-shirts, loose trousers and the now-iconic small cross-body bag worn across the chest, projecting a relaxed, laid-back vibe.