Your graduation day is special because it is a life-changing moment that you earned through hard work. It is important to understand that all college commencements and high school ceremonies are incomplete without a Kente Stole; as they are not just pieces of fabric but the representation of your years of dedication and hustle. As you walk through the aisle for your graduation ceremony, you will feel confident because of the aesthetics and the stole’s cultural relevance. If you are one of those people wondering how to choose the best kente stole or kente stole meaning,If yes, then you have come across the right blog, as in this we will provide a detailed guide on how to choose the best Kente cloth stole for you.
Why is Kente Stole Necessary?
A graduation stole is more than just a piece of fabric; it is a celebration of your academic journey and victories. Kente stoles are one of the best accessories you can carry with your graduation gown, as they represent various cultures as well.
What makes them necessary for your ceremony is the way they are designed and their overall aesthetics, such as a single-colored piece. Kente graduation stole symbolizes your sense of accomplishment as a graduate even though the representation remains the same in the traditional ones as well, they lack a personal touch, which makes them even more special. The new ones are the perfect combination of functionality and aesthetics, as they add a touch of vibrance to the otherwise simple monochromatic graduation gown.Kente stoles, inspired by West African culture, add a touch of beautiful colors to your graduation gown and make it even more special, as they reflect the user’s personality and achievements. They are stitched from Africa-originated fabric; that is why they carry conventional and traditional patterns, as they each hold their own significance so that if needed, the person carrying it could showcase their African descent.
Types of Kente Stole
Stoles come in various designs and forms; that is why it is equally important for you to understand which one will suit you the best so that you can look your best on your special day. Graduation varies by origin and woven method. That is why we have carefully curated the list for various types of stole such as custom kente stole.
Hand Stitched
Handwoven stoles are some of the best-stitched stoles that are woven by master weavers of Ghana using traditional looms. They are the perfect mix of symbolic representation, longevity and cultural references, as they are cut from kente cloth and cut from full bolts.
Machine Stitched
They are one of the best stoles to use, as they mimic designs from trending patterns of kente; however, the main reason behind their lacking the number of users is because they lack symbolic representations. However the machine ones are the most personalized kente stole.
Sewn Applique
These sashes showcase printed Kente fabric patches, affixed to a simple backing. These are often marketed as cost-effective choices for schools or group gatherings.
Ethnic-inspired Fashion Sashes
These are one of those Kente stole that prioritize aesthetics over cultural significance. They might incorporate color palettes without necessarily respecting the associated cultural meanings.
How to choose the appropriate Kente Stole
Now that you have understood why a Kente stole is necessary and what the various types of it are, going forward we will help you in choosing the best stole for you. We have carefully curated a detailed guide for you to choose the best stole for you keeping the representation and quality of the fabric in mind.
Here is the carefully curated guide to choose the best stole:
Identifying your purpose: The best way to choose the stole for you is to be sure about which ceremony you will be using it for instance if you are looking for a family or graduation ceremony, this will help you in defining the budget and what exactly you need.
Knowledge of its origin: It is a must for the buyer to be aware of the origin so that you can check for its authenticity other than that you can look for labels on it to check if they are manufactured in Ghana you can also check with the seller for more precise information.
Checking the weaves and material: It is highly suggested to always look for product images by zooming in, as the real kente stole are done with diagonal weaving because of the precision it needs, which cannot be achieved with flat printing.
Look for pattern meaning: Before buying the stole, make sure that, if possible, you can ask vendors for the symbolization and significance of the design, which can be identified by the authentic sellers.
Final Verdict
In short, it’s vital to pick the best kente stole for you so it reflects your culture and personality. The material quality of the stole is also a vital aspect that must be kept in mind while choosing the best stole for you. However, the ones that are hand-stitched from Ghana offer longevity and aesthetics for leaving a lasting impression. The use of handwoven stitches signifies the admiration someone can have for handmade things. Even though you can find machine-stitched alternatives, they are more suitable for short-term goals; however, it is crucial to understand that machine-made ones lack the details that could be the representations of cultural influence. It is highly suggested that Kente stoles are more than accessories, as they connect you to your roots and signify your hard work during the graduation. You can also go for bookmark tassels if you want to gift someone to make them feel special.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify if the stole is authentic or not?
It is effortless to find; you just need to look for hand-stitched patterns along with natural fiber content. Apart from that, two other factors that are a must are that you should check the alignment on both sides and if they have accurate colors you can also ask the provider for the authenticity as well.
What does stole represent?
Stoles are the representation of history, heritage, and your cultural pride. They are designed in such a manner that with each pattern they convey your hard work and discipline along with a message that symbolizes unity and wisdom.
What is the best way to clean your stole?
The best way to wash your stole is to handwash it with gentle cold water with mild soap. It is highly suggested that you should avoid machine drying or washing, as it will ruin the fabric. Once you’re done washing it, you need to lay it flat or hang it to dry in the sun.
Are all Kente sashes made in Ghana?
Even though the majority of stoles are made in Ghana, not all of them are; a significant number are manufactured in Asia. To ensure the product is authentic, it is highly suggested that you should always check the source with the seller.
