While it’s true that soccer has never been a huge spectator sport in the United States, the World Cup is, after the Olympics, the biggest international sporting event in the world. Teams from dozens of countries prepare for four years to be able to compete with the best. This year’s world cup is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa and the culture, music and colors of this region have been fun to see.
Take Thursday night, for example, when the opening ceremonies included performances by the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and Shakira among other lesser known African born performers like the talented Vusi Mahlasela. Song lyrics were changed to relate more to the event (Empire State’s refrain “New York, New York New York” was changed to “World Cup, World Cup, World Cup”) and Somalian-born K’naan sang his infectious “Waving Flag” song adapted for the event. It was all very moving, but what I really loved were the colorful outfits!
Traditional South African garb uses brightly colored and patterned fabrics in almost blinding quantities. Think of using the same fabric head-to-toe- layering a long high-necked tunic over matching pants and a even a matching hat. It can be visually overwhelming to our American sense of style (blue jeans, sneakers and tee shirts) but I found it to be very inspiring.
During Shakira’s performance, there were these incredibly hip and beautiful back-up dancers and singers who managed to incorporate their African identity but look amazingly hip and modern. I fell in love. I wasn’t able to find any pictures of these girls so I had to watch the video on Youtube and pause it when I saw them to take a screen shot. That’s why the images looks so terrible, but you get the idea. I LOVE the girl with the pompadour and the thin beaded headband across her forehead. These kinds of headbands were popular last year but worn with the bangs and whisps of hair underneath them. I think I like this version a lot better, it’s less hippie/bo-ho and more like a delicate, subtle, crown from another time.
Vibrant bangles are a fabulous way to incorporate bright bands of color and these skirts! That’s the way to use a vivid, wild pattern… A short, tiered skirt with lots of movement, a high waist and a wide gold belt. Paired with a plain tank and a pair of earrings and you are all set!
So try to open yourself up to inspiration from all different sources- mixing colors and textures you hadn’t thought of- green and gold, red, navy and black… The world has a lot to offer and if you can draw inspiration from something as improbable as an international soccer competition, you are a true fashionista.