Mackenzie Sullivan
January 28, 2024
Bold Prints and Cozy Knits: Embracing the Cold with African Fashion
As the temperatures continue to drop into the cold winter months, it's very tempting to try and stay warm and cozy in bed all day and let our sense of style fall to the wayside. In 2024, I am challenging myself to not fall into this trap of boring, gray, cold weather outfits, and continue to express myself and experiment with style through the coldest season. Choosing clothes and outerwear that allows you to show off your unique sense of style will allow you to keep yourself feeling confident and radiant throughout the whole year.
One of the most important closet staples for winter is a nice long coat. The Leaf Print Long Coat will protect you from the cold weather and make sure not to let any of the cold air in. Something important to look for in a warm coat is the closure on the front, and these buttons will help seal your heat in to help you brave the cold conditions! The drawstrings around the hood are a unique feature of this coat that will definitely keep you warm.
When I think of winter, I always think of the color blue. Doesn’t the sky look so much more blue in the colder months? That’s why I love the rich, vibrant colors of the Maíz Trench Coat so much. This deep shade of blue and eccentric pattern on the traditional African Ankara fabric gives the coat a more dressy and formal look than the long coat. The lapel and belt helps to cinch in the waist of the person wearing the coat, which gives the jacket a very flattering look that makes you look snatched, even if you are wearing lots of layers.
Yet another fashionable choice for a jacket for the winter. This jacket is perfect for those slightly warmer days that make you think spring is coming (when in reality it is still January) and you do not need the length of a longer jacket. This jacket is quilted and is sure to keep you warm and still stylish with its eccentric pattern.
As important as outerwear is to keep you nice and warm, so are the layers that you wear underneath your jackets. This beautiful sweater is a great layering piece because of its turtleneck and lettuce hem. Layering is a great way to show off unique silhouettes and pattern combinations, but also a great way to keep you warm.
Last on my list of winter essentials, is a comfy outfit, because we all have those days when we just want to stay in our pajamas all day. This sweat set is sure to keep you nice and cozy, while still incorporating African prints and individuality into your wardrobe. A matching set like this is a great way to look put together, while feeling like you are still tucked into bed.
Whatever you choose to wear this winter, I challenge you to wear clothes that allow you to express your uniqueness and individuality. Whether that sense of style is more reserved or more bold, embrace the cold with African fashion, and stay warm!