Things to consider when you are ordering a Korowai
If you are thinking of ordering a Korowai, or Māori cloak for yourself, or someone else, there a few things to consider such as the size of Korowai you will need and the length of Korowai you want, how you will wear it and the pattern and colour you would like. Below are some handy tips that will help you with these questions.
What size Korowai do you need?
We make adult Korowai and children’s Korowai in a range of different sizes.
To measure someone for a Korowai, get a tape measure, and measure all the way around the back, chest and upper arms, just below the points of the shoulders. Compare this measurement with the sizes of Korowai that we offer (see our size charts).
If your measurement falls halfway between the sizes that we offer, it’s best to choose the smaller size. You want to be able to do up the ties on a Korowai cape tight enough to stop it falling off. This is easier with a smaller size than it is with one that is just too big for you.
How will you wear your Korowai?
There are a few different ways to wear a Korowai or Kākahu, and it’s worth having a think about how you might wear it when you are considering which length of cloak to order.
You can wear a korowai tied round both shoulders, with the top of the cloak sitting either just below, or just above the points of your shoulders. Any of the three different lengths of Korowai that we make work well when worn like this.
The other way to wear you Korowai is tied so it sits above one shoulder, and underneath the opposite arm. It should be tied up under the arm for men and above the shoulder for women. We think that this style works particularly well with the hauwha or quarter length cloaks that we make.
Choose a length of Korowai
We offer our Korowai in three different lengths
Our full length Korowai are approximately 100cm long and are designed to come all the way down the back, to somewhere between your knees and calf muscles, depending on how tall you are.
Haurua, or half-length Māori cloaks are roughly 50cm long and depending on the wearer’s height, come to the lower back or upper thighs.
Finally, our hauwha or quarter length Māori Korowai capes are approximately 25cm long and when worn wrapped around your shoulders they come part way down your upper back. As we’ve already mentioned, these look great when worn under one arm and over the other shoulder.
Choose a Korowai pattern
We make a wide range of Korowai with different colours and designs, and while your choice is very much down to personal preference, we can give you a few pointers to help your decision making.
Think about the types of events that the Korowai is likely to be worn at, and the person who will be wearing it.
Some of our Korowai use more subdued, darker brown and black coloured feathers, with a similar look to the traditional Kahu Kiwi. Others of our Korowai cloaks have brighter colours, similar to the blues, greens and patterned feathers from birds such as kākā and kereru.
Finally, we make Korowai with feather colours including bright red, purple, pink, blue and turquoise. These produce a more modern looking Korowai, that look amazing, and can make a very stylish statement.
Accessories for your Korowai
There are a few things that people commonly add to their Korowai order, particularly if it is being given as a gift.
Our Tāniko headbands really compliment the look of a Korowai and are available in colours and patterns that match the Tāniko bands on the Korowai that we make.
The next essential accessory is our Korowai cover and clip hanger, the perfect way to keep your precious Korowai safe and protected when it is not in use.
Third is a contemporary peke. These are woven bags with a trim of feathers and Tāniko band in a range of colours that are a perfect way to present a Korowai as a gift.
Lastly, we have a wide range of other taonga that are perfect additions to a Korowai that is being given as a gift. The items that are most often purchased include carved bone and wood pendants and heru, and carved walking sticks.