M.A.G. blog, signed by Lydia

A MAG is a Modern African Girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things which may interest a MAG.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Doré Fasolati, this week's subjects: .Rain Fashion, Sidewalk fashion, Poverty fashion.

---

Rain Fashion

It’s the rain season again and we definitely must enjoy it too. One must be thinking of how best to operate without getting soaking wet and hot at the same time due to the short hours of rain. Checking our weather app before leaving the house is something we, unfortunately, had to learn the hard way. We can’t even count the times we’ve been caught mid-rainstorm dressed in something fuzzy or — gah! — white, and those memories of soaking wet shoes and socks are still so clear in our minds.

Avoid wearing light colours like white and beige because they become transparent. Instead, flaunt bright colours like red, green, blue, indigo, yellow and stand out of the crowd.

If you tend to feel unmotivated and lazy on rainy days, it's worth adding a matching set to your closet. Now, your outfit is already put together for you (minus shoes), and you'll have less stress while getting ready in the morning.

You can also try some denims pants and jackets with a darker colored T-shirt and a stylish black rainboots to go in case the sun comes out unexpected, you can still rock them.

Wearing lightweight clothing with a pullover is another way to get through the rainy day; you keep warm while feeling comfortable at the same time. Sidewalk fashion. Someone recently wrote about sidewalk fashion in Mali, and this is indeed something I had wanted to write about for a long time, our sidewalks are like catwalks. Out of necessity a majority of our ladies end up buying imported second hand clothes, and sometimes little jewels can be found in there. It's a pleasure to see a girl hawking oranges and wearing a dress which can be worn to a charity ball. But the more interesting part is the combinations which are sometimes created, and my sketch book is full of design sketches which I literally picked from the street. Majority of those in the developed world have the money to buy what the consumer fast fashion houses propose, and walking on their streets I rarely turn my head, there is little real originality. Sharply contrasting with home here where anything goes. Poverty fashion. We are a developing country, 57 % of our population is under 25 with hardly a job in sight, so people want to join the armed forces, or become musicians, simply out of despair. It is said that poverty is the mother of invention, and inventions we have, like that mobile car washing plant I see visiting offices where there is no water. Or the many different packages of dried mangoes or chocolate coconut mixtures for sale. Many of our unemployed ladies try to become seamstresses, and in order to differenciate themselves from the crowd some try to create fashion, sometimes with very good results. Some of the stuff you see offered for sales on the streets is really nice. Unfortunately the sowing quality often is way below what is acceptable, but the same can be said for many of our “recognized” creators/tailors. It seems that quality is not something which has priority, quick money is. Nadia... do not forget to hit the subscribe button and confirm in your email inbox to get notified about our post. I have received requests about leaving comments/replies. For security and privacy reasons my blog is not associated with the major media giants like Facebook or Twitter. I am talking with the host about a solution, for the time being, you can mail me on wunimi@proton.me I accept invitations and payments to write about certain products or events, things, people, but I may refuse to accept and if my comments are negative then that's what I will publish, despite your payment. This is not a political newsletter. I do not discriminate on any basis whatsoever.