“People will stare. Make it worth their while.”

Kitenge had never been one of those cloth pieces that I would willingly reach for. God knows my mother tried. Growing up African Tanzanian to be exact. Kitenge was and still is a big staple of my culture. This goes way back before it was even cool enough to be called Ankara or seen in high street fashion. I remember my first encounter with this clothing piece was with a dress and that lasted like 3 seconds because I hated everything about it.

Talk about hate at first sight.

Another attempt was a couple of years later and it was a long shift dress that my mother designed and I didn’t totally hate it… Mostly because she was sure to add in a healthy amount of slit into it. Even then I wore it occasionally to Church and would change immediately after.

Up until a few years back – 2016 I am thinking. Ankara was not one for my closet. That all changed when I got introduce to something more my speed and style. I am talking about African inspired shorts. Remember when I did THE BLACK GIRL MAGIC look? well, it is safe to say just like wine, my style has been evolving and only got better with time.

African Street Style Fusion.

I got to dust off my Kitenge shorts this past weekend on the Launch of my girl’s Fashion empire. The Miss Rare extravaganza. It only seemed fitting given her Fashion line launch. Honestly, I can’t believe how well put together and edgy it turned out and that’s when I got the idea of this African street style fusion.

I was fully winging this look TBH. Initially, I had intended to throw in some Biker shorts and decided not at the last minute because quite frankly I have always reached out for this athleisure trend because I am yet to find an occasion where I can’t style them up…

1. Well-tailored Shorts

One way to fuse African inspired shorts to a street style ready look is to have them well-tailored. I have said it before and I will say it again. Every girl needs a good loyal tailor. Nothing brings a whole outfit down like a poorly tailored piece. So before jumping into this trend, make sure you have a well-tailored piece. I would suggest a slim fit for a more laid back look. If you are going for a dressed-up look, avoid shorts with an elastic waistband. Better yet, if you need a pair with a cinched waist, opt for a gorgeous bowtie belt than the standard utilitarian cord.

2. Dress for the Occasion.

Think of the occasion at hand. This way you are able to style it up or down to fit your occasion. If you are to wear them in a casual setting during the summer. You could opt to pair the look with a neutral tee (Unless you are one for too many prints, then to each there own.) Complete the look with some slides or sneakers. If you are attending a social gathering, bring those baby out and dress them up with a boyfriend blazer paired up with some sneakers or heels to fit your occasion.

3. Coordinates

If one piece of African inspired look doesn’t seem enough, how about you make it a set? How did you ask? easily make it a set with a matching shirt or tee combo and take it for a day out in the street. Options for coordinates can go as high up as a kimono 3 piece and as low as a shirt and tailored shorts.

Tied of the same old looks, then think of this as an option to your power suit. Yes, it works. With a matching blazer, it goes from weekend to business meeting chic. – If you work in a more fashion-forward workplace that is.

4. Shoe-fie in African Street Style Fusion

See what I did there? Depending on the setting. Your shoes may make or break your outfit. Not always does dress up mean heels, thankfully. If you want to dress up and you don’t feel like heels or sneakers, cue in some polished loafers or boyfriend shoes to the rescue. If you wanna wear heels but it is a garden party, how about some sneaker combination? Don’t hate and dismiss it before you try it. I promise you will be ordering a lot of sneakers after you try this combination.

5.Accessories

Yes, we are still bringing this in 2020 because sadly, a lot of folks are still on crouches when it comes to accessorizing. Looking to make a bold statement. Because the bold fabric isn’t bold enough? Throw in a Panama Hat! this will elevate your style game by A LOT! see how dramatic My look is? I promise you the Hat is doing the very most. Well, that and the graphic belt. Going for a more subtle approach? play around with your sunglasses, rings, and Nik nacks that elude your personal style.

If you don’t have a clue on where to start with accessories? Here is how: 8 TIPS ON HOW TO ACCESSORIES – A WOMEN’S GUIDE and A GUY’S GUIDE TO ACCESSORIZING: 12 PRO TIPS

That’s it, go ahead and fuse your African fashion look because Honey, you have just graduated to street-ready.

A Fan of Street style looks? I thought so. Here are more useful links to get you oozed up with inspirations.

• PERFECTING THE CASUAL FRIDAY LOOK – SUMMER STYLE EDITION
• HOW TO LOOK CLASSY ON A BUDGET: 10 PRACTICAL TIPS – STREET STYLE EDITION
• HOW TO STYLE BIKER SHORTS – A STREET STYLE CASUAL INSPIRATION

How to Style Shorts like a grown Up!

Till next Thursday, Have a beautiful week.

xo