Clothing in Africa

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African clothing, especially in the north, is influenced by Arabs and Europeans. The style of these traditional outfits comes from the Arabs. This includes long robes and beautiful designs and embroidery. Today, some Africans still wear these clothes as part of daily life and/or especially when there is a special party or occasion.

In West Africa, the Boubou is worn as formal attire, and is worn as daily wear by the nomadic Tuareg of the Sahara.

There are also non-profit organizations in western societies that sell used clothes to for-profit companies in Africa. These "white man's clothes" are quite common in some parts of the continent. This used clothing is called mitumba in some areas and is surrounded by some controversy. Critics point to it as a threat to local clothing manufacturers and complain that it exploits consumers. Others argue that this used clothing provides useful competition for often expensive and low quality local products. The fact that it is available in street markets even in countries that have banned it suggests a willing consumer appetite for mitumba. In africa you wear white lose fitting clothing to feel comfortable and because the color white doesn't absorb heat.