Photo : Delight Dzansi / Unsplash

Inspiration photo — The photo shows the style of the design. Your outfit is sewn in the fabric and to the measurements you choose below.

Dresses · Advanced

Modern kaba dress

The kaba, reinvented: defined waist, puffed sleeves, pure presence

Long flared dress with puffed sleeves and a defined waist.

FCFA 30,250From FCFA 30,250 to FCFA 49,500 depending on the fabric, tailoring included

Sunday service
Weddings (as a guest)
Traditional marriage (dot)
Christenings
Year-end celebrations
International Women's Day

Customise and order ↓

Design your outfit: one fabric for the body, another for the collar, the sleeves or the pocket. Tap a part of the drawing.

Model skin tone

Body shapeSee this design at my measurements →

Model measurements

Bust100 cmWaist72 cmHips116 cm

Preview only: your saved measurements are the ones used for the order.

1. Pick the part to dress

2. Pick the fabric — Main fabric

Orange floral waxFCFA 3,500 per metreFCFA 30,250Blue geometric waxFCFA 4,000 per metreFCFA 32,000White bazin richeFCFA 6,000 per metreFCFA 39,000Gold and green kenteFCFA 9,000 per metreFCFA 49,500

Tailoring: FCFA 18,000
Fabric (3.5 m) · Orange floral wax: FCFA 12,250
Total: FCFA 30,250

Order

About this design

The kaba is one of the best-loved dresses on Cameroon's coast. This modern take keeps its length and movement but defines the waist and puffs the sleeves for a more structured silhouette. The skirt flares down to the ankles, and both the border and the sleeves can take a contrasting fabric so you can play with prints.

A defined waist leaves no room for guesswork: too high and it shortens you, too tight and it pinches. Sewn to your measurements by a Douala tailor, the waist sits exactly where yours does and the hem falls just right, with or without heels. The KOUTIVA team then checks the finish. The result is a dress you'll stay comfortable in until the last dance.

Styling tips

Pick a contrasting fabric for the border to emphasise the swing of the skirt.
A headwrap in the same wax completes the look beautifully.
White bazin riche sleeves on a wax body soften the whole outfit.
Add a slim belt to define the waist even more.

Choosing your fabric

Blue geometric wax and Orange floral wax are ideal for church, christenings and outings. For a wedding or a traditional marriage, go for Gold and green kente or White bazin riche, possibly on the sleeves or border.