Meri-blouse settings a trend

Department of Personnel Management women love wearing their “kolos”. The term “kolos” is derived from the tok pidgin  creole spoken in some earlier works as New Guinea Pidgin a contact language that developed from mixing  language with native speakers, all within a fairly brief period. And the evolution of the ‘kolos’ or meri-blouse over the past decade has revolutionized the street wear  and fashion for women.

But did you know that this much loved piece of clothing has been draped in controversy – some see it as an abomination while others accept it as appropriate attire.

The first missionaries, London Missionary Society and the Lutheran Mission, introduced this piece of clothing for “savages” to hide their “nakedness’. A quote taken from Sr Apologetica of the Seven Wounds describes such, “It must be discreet, easy to make and be designed to hide the most obvious female appurtenances and extremities, and by all means cover the female lower appendages, known colloquially as legs. May God have mercy!”

Recognisable for its fluffy sleeves and wide brim, the meri-blouse has become a symbol of pride and many women today who are opting to wear this loose-fitting garment as the latest fashionable wear for all occasions and women at the Department of Personnel Management are part of this trend today.

DPM’s Public Service Institutional Housing Manager Ruth Gii says that she choose to wear “kolos” for comfort and trendy style.

“I sew my own meri-blouses and prefer it to other pieces of clothing. Its comfortable and can be styled easily,” she said. 

Another DPM officer Helis Mainde added that Meri blouses can be found sold at every corner of streets, at market places and recently in big shopping malls like Vision City. It is currently a fashion statement for many PNG women here and overseas.

“In recent times, the ‘kolos’ or meri-blouse has been redefined, revolutionized and has become a sense of identity for women. And with Independence just around the corner, meri-blouses are making an appearance in the PNG colors of red, black, gold and white.,” she said.