Street fashions

She wore a black fitted velvet dress, with sparkles around the neck and along the bodice. It was one of those ‘little black dresses’ that women were always advised to acquire – one that would be timeless in its style and chic in appearance.

It was however in stark contrast to the basin of ‘pure wata’ that she carried on her head and the inevitable ‘totoka’ slippers (i.e. rubber slippers) that most of them seem to wear. She was one of those street side sellers that ply their business along the major routes in Accra.

The street sellers by and large don’t seem to care much what is worn, just about what is being sold – and understandably so. However sometimes someone catches your eye. For example:

• the elderly gentleman that stands by Dankwa Circle every morning selling bow ties. He himself has on a different colour bow-tie everyday. One wonders who buys these now seemingly outmoded fashion accessories. I stand to be corrected if they are still the rave
• or the news paper man that sells at the entrance to the Motorway who dresses to the nines in his long-sleeved shirt complete with a tie. I pity him on the mornings when the sun beats down mercilessly
• or the lady by ‘37’ that sells plantain chips and wears a clean apron everyday.

I do like the fact though that people approach what they do with a sense of professionalism and pride, even if it’s just selling on the street. After all, given different circumstances and a lack of opportunity it could just as easily have been me.