Trends and seasons
Harmattan style: dressing for dry, dusty days
By sneakersInn team · Updated
During harmattan, dress in light layers you can remove as the day warms, choose mid-tone colours like grey, olive, navy and tan that hide dust, wear darker or leather shoes that wipe clean, and take care of your skin and lips in the dry air. Brush and wash clothes more often, because fine dust settles into fabric.
| Challenge | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cool mornings, warm afternoons | Tee plus a light knit or overshirt you can remove |
| Dust on clothes | Mid-tone colours, smooth fabrics, brush daily |
| Dust on shoes | Darker or leather sneakers; protector spray; wipe nightly |
| Dry skin and lips | Moisturise, lip balm, drink water |
| Haze and glare | Sunglasses with UV protection |
What is harmattan?
A dry, dusty trade wind that blows from the Sahara over West Africa, roughly from late November to March, strongest from December to February (Harmattan on Wikipedia). It brings haze, low humidity and bigger differences between morning and afternoon temperatures. It's stronger in northern Ghana than in Accra.
Which colours hide dust?
Mid-tones: grey, olive, khaki, navy, tan. Black shows dust as a grey film; white shows it as brown. Save your whitest whites for indoor events.
Which fabrics work best?
Smooth cotton, linen and fine knits shed dust more easily than fuzzy or textured fabrics. Avoid suede and brushed wool on very dusty days. See lightweight knits for harmattan mornings.
Which shoes?
Smooth leather sneakers in darker colours, or white leather sneakers with a protector spray and a nightly wipe. Avoid suede and mesh on the dustiest days. See how to keep white sneakers clean in Accra dust.
How do I look after my skin?
Harmattan air is very dry. Moisturise morning and night, use lip balm, drink water and protect your eyes. Good skin is part of looking sharp.
Outfit ideas
- Grey quarter-zip, white tee, olive chinos, black leather sneakers.
- Navy overshirt, grey tee, dark jeans, brown leather sneakers.
- Tan linen shirt, navy trousers, brown loafers.
How do I care for clothes in harmattan?
Shake out and brush clothes each evening, wash more often on cool cycles, and keep wardrobe doors closed on the dustiest days. See clothing care 101.
Questions
Is harmattan cold in Accra?
Mornings can feel cool, but afternoons are still warm. Layers are the answer.
What about Detty December?
It overlaps with harmattan. See the Detty December style guide.
Which sneakers suit harmattan?
Darker leather pairs. Browse our shop; our sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs, labelled as such.