The MAG weekly Fashion and Lifestyle Blog for the modern African girl by Lydia, every Friday at 1700 hrs. Nr 190 30th January, 2026
Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.
This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Accra Corporate Girl series — light, confident, and full of stylish energy, Tell me again what is fashion, LGBTQI+, Most beef burgers are completely overpriced, and Bulgarian Cultural Centre Restaurant Cyril Mussels
Accra Corporate Girl series — light, confident, and full of stylish energy:
The Power of Neutrals: Building an Elegant Corporate Wardrobe Palette for the Accra Girl. Because sometimes, quiet colours speak the loudest.
If there’s one thing the Accra corporate girl knows, it’s that first impressions matter — whether she’s walking into a meeting at Airport City or sipping iced coffee at Café Kwae before work. But here’s the secret: you don’t need loud prints or bold colours to make a statement. Sometimes, sophistication whispers, and her language is neutral.
Yes, beige, ivory, taupe, and soft greys — the tones some call “boring” — are actually your ultimate power palette. Think of neutrals as the cool-headed, effortlessly classy friends who always show up looking put together, no matter the heat or the hour.
Why Neutrals Are the New Power Move
In Accra’s fast-paced corporate world, where the heat is real and the hustle never ends, neutrals are your wardrobe’s calm amidst the chaos.
They make you look composed, intentional, and professional without even trying. A cream blouse paired with tailored camel trousers says, “I mean business, but make it chic.” And the best part? Neutrals mix and match like besties. You can build five polished outfits with just a few core pieces — and no one will ever notice you’ve repeated a skirt twice this week.
Go for prints with muted tones or geometric patterns that feel sophisticated. Think navy, maroon, olive, or soft gold. Pair with nude pumps or loafers, and you’re boardroom ready with a twist.
The Statement Skirt — Chic Yet Professional
A high-waisted Ankara pencil skirt is your wardrobe MVP. Pair it with a crisp button-down shirt or a silk blouse in a solid colour.
It’s the perfect mix of feminine and fierce. Add a slim belt and minimal jewelry, and you’ve turned your office corridor into a runway — without breaking any rules.
The Hybrid Dress — Half Print, Full Confidence
For the girl who loves versatility, look for dresses that blend Ankara accents with plain fabrics.
Think a shift dress with printed sleeves, or a monochrome body with an Ankara collar and waistband. It keeps the vibe professional but with a cultural edge — like saying “Yes, I’m fashionable, and I can still close that deal.”
The Subtle Touch — Ankara Accessories
Not ready to go full-print? Start small.
Add a pop of Ankara through accessories — a fabric belt, a tote bag, a headband, or even a statement shoe. These accents bring colour and creativity to your look without crossing the corporate line.
It’s a great way to test your comfort zone while keeping things sleek.
The Friday Flair — Go Bold, Stay Polished
Ah, the sacred Casual Friday. Your chance to fully embrace the print!
Try a tailored Ankara jumpsuit or a midi dress with structured shoulders. Keep your accessories gold-toned, your heels simple, and your confidence sky-high. The key is tailoring — clean cuts keep your look professional even when your fabric is loud.
Style Note:
Ankara at work isn’t rebellion — it’s evolution. It’s the Accra girl’s way of saying, “I can honor my culture and run the boardroom — in the same outfit.”
So next Monday, when you reach for that plain black blazer, pause. Your Ankara is waiting — bold, beautiful, and absolutely ready for business
Gone are the days when corporate wear meant dull greys and strict suits. Today’s Accra professional knows how to weave her roots into her rhythm, one print at a time
The New Corporate Power Look:
Modern power dressing is no longer just about shoulder pads and monochrome suits — it’s about expression. In Accra, where creativity meets commerce, the corporate wardrobe has evolved.
Imagine a fitted Ankara blazer layered over crisp white pants. Or a pencil skirt in a muted kente print paired with a silk blouse. It’s structure meets story — and it commands attention without saying a word.
The key? Balance. Let one piece shine. If your Ankara skirt is vibrant, pair it with solid tones — think camel, cream, or navy. You want to say, “I’m bold, but I’m in control.”
Print Meets Professionalism:
Wearing prints at work doesn’t mean dressing for a festival. It’s about tailoring and tone. Choose Ankara pieces with cleaner patterns and softer palettes for a refined, office-ready finish. Earth tones, navy blues, and pastels make prints feel elegant and powerful — not overpowering.
A structured Ankara jacket, for instance, instantly elevates a plain shift dress. Or try a high-waisted wax print trouser with a tucked-in chiffon blouse for that “I came to close deals and turn heads” energy.
Accessorize with Intention:
When you’re working with bold patterns, accessories should whisper, not shout. Go for minimal jewelry — gold studs, thin bangles, or a classic wristwatch. Pair with nude or black pumps to keep the focus on your statement piece.
And bags? A structured leather tote or clutch in a neutral tone balances the vibrance beautifully.
Cultural Confidence:
What makes the Accra corporate girl so inspiring is how effortlessly she blends the modern with the traditional. Her wardrobe tells her story — global, grounded, and unapologetically Ghanaian.
When you wear African prints to the boardroom, you’re not just dressing up — you’re carrying generations of creativity, craftsmanship, and culture with you. It’s more than style; it’s representation.
Blending African prints with corporate fashion is an art — one that the Accra woman has mastered with grace. It’s about walking into every room knowing that you belong there, colour and all.
Because power dressing isn’t just about suits anymore. It’s about showing up in your truth — wrapped in prints that speak volumes, stitched with purpose, and styled with confidence.
So go ahead— wear your Ankara to the boardroom. Make the culture look corporate.
Gone are the days when corporate wear meant dull greys and strict suits. Today’s Accra professional knows how to weave her roots into her rhythm, one print at a time.
The New Corporate Power Look:
Modern power dressing is no longer just about shoulder pads and monochrome suits — it’s about expression. In Accra, where creativity meets commerce, the corporate wardrobe has evolved.
Imagine a fitted Ankara blazer layered over crisp white pants. Or a pencil skirt in a muted kente print paired with a silk blouse. It’s structure meets story — and it commands attention without saying a word.
The key? Balance. Let one piece shine. If your Ankara skirt is vibrant, pair it with solid tones — think camel, cream, or navy. You want to say, “I’m bold, but I’m in control.”
Print Meets Professionalism:
Wearing prints at work doesn’t mean dressing for a festival. It’s about tailoring and tone. Choose Ankara pieces with cleaner patterns and softer palettes for a refined, office-ready finish. Earth tones, navy blues, and pastels make prints feel elegant and powerful — not overpowering.
A structured Ankara jacket, for instance, instantly elevates a plain shift dress. Or try a high-waisted wax print trouser with a tucked-in chiffon blouse for that “I came to close deals and turn heads” energy.
To be continued....
Jute and kenaf fabrics reimagined for chic tailoring.
Plant-dyed textiles.
Circular fashion markets expanding across Accra, Lagos, and Abidjan.
West Africans are embracing sustainability — but still slaying.
Metallic Moments & Futuristic Glam:
Nightlife fashion is stepping into the future. Think liquid metallic dresses, chrome-detail agbadas, iridescent mesh overlays, and holographic mini-bags.
When the sun sets, West Africa is turning up the shine.
Afro-Minimalism Rising:
After years of maximalism, a calm wave is coming. Expect clean silhouettes, earthy tones, simple gold jewellery, and architectural garments inspired by modern African art. Afro-minimalism is for the chic, subtle, well-curated dresser.
Streetwear with Heritage:
West African streetwear is absorbing cultural inspo like never before — adinkra symbols, Fulani shapes, Tuareg indigo traditions, northern embroidery motifs, Ga prints, Yoruba bead colour codes. Young creatives are blending heritage and hype to produce streetwear that’s cultural, cool, and ready for global runways.
Beauty Trends: Soft Glow + Bold Statements
2026 beauty in West Africa brings:
Glass-skin-inspired melanin glow
Chrome eyelids
Brown ombré lips
Sculptural braids and Fulani-inspired cornrows
Ultra-short natural cuts
Henna artistry returns in mainstream fashion.
Community-Driven Fashion:
Expect more fashion pop-ups, mobile ateliers, and community design collectives. West Africa’s fashion scene is becoming more collaborative, accessible, and youth-driven — and 2026 will be its most exciting year yet.
The Return of Tailored Power Dressing:
Sharp shoulders. Cinched waists. Sculpted silhouettes.
Power dressing is back — but softer, sleeker, and more Afro-centric. In 2026, West African tailoring will focus on fluid suits, tone-on-tone styling, minimalist metallic accents, and gender-neutral structured pieces. Corporate wardrobes will lean into cool neutrals like clay, sand, kola-nut brown, and millet gold.
Afro-Resort Wear Every Day:
With travel culture exploding, resort wear is no longer just for holidays. Get ready for linen sets, crochet dresses, flowy kaftans, and raffia accessories as everyday staples. Designers are embracing breezy, breathable fabrics perfect for West African heat — but serving effortless elegance.
Statement Accessories: Bigger, Bolder, Brighter
2026 accessories in West Africa are loud and unapologetic:
Oversized artisan jewelry
Hand-carved wooden clutches
Beaded crowns inspired by royalty
Geometric sunglasses
Stacked anklets
It’s the year of maximalist accessorizing, driven by a renewed love for craftsmanship and heritage.
Emerald pencil skirts with neutral bodysuits.
Berry red suits for the daring queen.
Metallic accents here and there because why not? It’s giving glamour without shouting “I’m the office Christmas tree.”
Tip: Harmattan dust + white clothing? Choose wisely. Or carry wipes. You know your enemies.
Ankara… But Festive!
Nobody does Christmas creativity like the Accra fashionista:
Ankara with gold foiling.
Wax prints featuring deep greens, burgundies, or navy.
Subtle shimmer woven into patterns
A dramatic peplum top here, a structured blazer there.
This is the season to let African prints mingle with corporate silhouettes. From Makola to the boardroom, the slay is intentional.
Statement Sleeves With Corporate Discipline:
Puffy sleeves, bishop sleeves, ruffles — the girls are not holding back.
But of course, we balance it with:
Straight-leg trousers.
Midi skirts.
Minimal accessories.
Let the sleeves do the talking while you close deals like the star you are.
Metallic-thread blouses
Subtle sequin trims
Gold-button blazers
If your outfit jingles when you walk, it’s a sign you’ve gone too far. Step back. Reassess.
The Corporate Christmas Accessory Edit: Accessories? The real holiday spirit.
Pearl earrings (soft girl energy)
Gold hoops (controlled baddie vibes)
Structured handbags that say “I sign important documents”.
Festive nails in deep wine, cocoa, or emerald green.
And the crown jewel?
A flawless, harmattan-proof matte makeup look. Hydration is your co-pilot, darling.
Shoes That Sleigh (Pun Very Intended):
Harmattan dust is disrespectful — choose footwear accordingly.
Block heels
Square-toe pumps
Festive-but-corporate mules
Metallic low heels for Friday Christmas jams
And for the love of Detty December, moisturize those ankles.
Friday Is for Corporate Detty: Fridays in December? Say less.
This is when the fun corporate Christmas outfits step out:
Flowing satin co-ords.
Ankara suits with personality
Glimmering tops styled with tailored pants
Flared midi dresses that swish with every step
Meetings end early. The office party is loading. You’re already glowing.
Don’t underestimate a good pair of sunglasses for those pre-meeting walks from the car park — because even CEOs need shade.
Heat-Proof but Chic:
The Accra heat is no joke, but your style doesn’t have to melt with it.
Choose breathable fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or lightweight linen. Stay cool in flowy midi dresses, wide-leg trousers, and sleeveless blouses that still look professional.
Pro tip: Always have a compact powder and face mist in your bag — because glowing and sweating are two very different things.
Friday Freedom: The Makola Comeback.
Ah, Casual Friday — the unofficial fashion holiday of the corporate week!
This is your moment to bring Ankara into the mix. A smart print dress, a pencil skirt with bold colors, or even an Ankara blazer gives “I know my culture and my career.”
Pair with block heels, a bright lip, and your weekend smile. You made it through the week — you earned that slay.
So the next time someone asks where you got your outfit, just smile and say, “A little Makola magic — and a lot of boss energy.”
If you know your tailors and your fabrics, you can easily turn ₵100 worth of material into an outfit that screams executive presence.
Pro tip: Stick with classic prints and neutral tones. Think deep blues, rich browns, and subtle golds — they say “promotion ready,” not “weekend wedding guest.”
Tailor-made Confidence: In Accra, your tailor is practically your stylist. A well-cut suit or dress can change your whole aura. Forget the oversized blazers and stiff skirts — go for fit and flair.
A cinched waist, structured shoulders, or a peplum hem can transform “office outfit” into “main character energy.”
When your clothes fit well, you don’t just walk — you glide through the office corridors like it’s your runway (because it is).