The Big 4 Street Style Trends

Words: Daniël Geldenhuys | Photography: Half & Halve

The street style at AFI Cape Town Fashion Week 2019 was, in a word, suitable (pun intended). The suit in its multiple manifestations is at the height of its reign, backed by three more trends to inspire your next invitation-only event or any situation where you need to flaunt your best self.

A pop of neon gives any look a futuristic spin. It’s the best way to accentuate a layered look – there’s a reason they make highlighters in this colour.

Ashleigh Herman’s colour contrast of neon green with camel brown creates a statement of note. As neon is strong enough to shine through sheer fabrics, Mongi Masombuka’s layer experiment definitely proves successful, and Mawande Mbawuli makes neon the main event, giving it necessary grounding with a pair of casual Vans.

Today’s streetwear encompasses everything from casual classics to comfortable statement pieces. No matter where you find yourself on this spectrum, the cool factor stays at a maximum.

In a simple monochrome palate rendered in loose comfortable silhouettes and accentuated with utilitarian accessories, Anne Halbedel and Robynne Keyser find the sweet spot between timeless and contemporary. On the other end of the spectrum, Don JR plays with puffer and prints, making the look his own. Oh, and there’s a pop of neon again with Tittany Makgopa being an undeniable statement streetwear queen.

Modern femininity presents itself in so many ways. The trick, these women show, is never to limit yourself.

Tough meets pretty with a dose of nerd-chic thrown in for good measure: Tara-Leigh and Chelsea Jurgens are the alchemists of this eccentric duo style moment. With grande thigh highs and a mini skirt with structured flare, Kagiso Matlaisane means (party) business and she ain’t playing. Olwethu-Thando Klaas does the time warp, bringing mid-century femme accessories into the present by pairing them with a casual bomber jacket and Shamyra Moodley is serving craftwork on an uber-feminine silhouette, offsetting coarse textures with picturesque beauty.

Suit yourself however you like. Adaptable to a variety of aesthetics, there’s a place for every personality in the world of suit dressing.

Oversized is as cool as it is comfortable and Tinuke Eboka exudes effortless cool, while Kim Bubanxa adds some sporty spice with a side-snap track pant. Cherné Africa is queen of the concrete jungle in the print of the season, and for the retro realness category, Nicola Cooper channels the endless summer.

But wait, there's more. Although it’s not actually a suit, Alethu Sive Bam’s ensemble is proof of the effect suit dressing (aka tailoring) is having on menswear right now — the smarter, the better. Pamela Mbhele’s neutral palate is all the better to show off a graphic tee and scarf-tied bag. With slit sleeves oh-so-slick, Abongwe Qokela balances formal with a classic white sneaker, cinching the look with a ByCARA diamante bandanna choker as the jugular focal point.