If you are a man and you open your wardrobe and see colours you cannot even match, my brother, we need to talk.
According to Tailor Rahim, Creative Director of AnafoBisi Clothing, men do not need dozens of kaftans to build a stylish wardrobe. What they need are the right colours that can work across different occasions.
After years of styling men and experimenting with his own wardrobe, Rahim says there are four colours every man should prioritise: white, black, wine and blueblack.
For him, these colours are more than fashion choices. They represent different moods, cultural meanings and occasions.
1. White
White is Rahim’s first essential col our.
In Ghanaian traditional settings, white is strongly associated with purity, new beginnings and celebration. It is commonly worn at weddings, naming ceremonies, thanksgiving services and other occasions that mark important moments in people’s lives.
White also carries strong religious significance, often representing purity, holiness and cleanliness.
A white kaftan can therefore work for church, weddings, naming ceremonies and even important formal meetings.
For men concerned about stains, Rahim recommends exploring shades such as ivory, cream, off-white and snow white.
2. Black
If white represents new beginnings, black represents power, elegance and confidence.
Rahim describes black as his go-to colour when he is unsure about what to wear.
A major advantage of a black kaftan is its versatility. It can be worn during periods of mourning and final farewells, but with the right styling, it can also work for formal meetings, church, dinners and selected weddings.
Black also provides an excellent background for embroidery, allowing colours such as gold, white and silver to stand out.
For Rahim, every man’s wardrobe should have at least one black kaftan.
3. Wine
Wine is the colour that makes a statement without being excessively loud.
In Ghanaian fashion, the rich shade works particularly well for engagements, traditional weddings and other celebrations.
Rahim describes wine as a colour associated with royalty, maturity and confidence.
It also offers men an alternative when white feels too bright and black feels too formal.
Another advantage is its appearance in photographs, particularly against darker skin tones and under evening lighting.
4. Blueblack
Blueblack is Rahim’s personal secret weapon.
At first glance, it may look like black, but closer inspection reveals its deep midnight-blue tone.
The colour combines the sophistication of black with a little more personality, making it suitable for office meetings, church, dinner, evening weddings and other formal occasions.
Rahim believes blueblack is ideal for men who want the elegance of black without wearing full black all the time.
With minimal white or silver embroidery, a blueblack kaftan can achieve a simple, clean and classy appearance.
Build your wardrobe around the right colours
For Tailor Rahim, building a stylish wardrobe is not about owning the most clothes. It is about having versatile pieces that can serve different purposes.
White starts the journey, black grounds you, while wine and blueblack add personality and confidence.
Together, these four colours can give any man’s wardrobe a strong and versatile foundation.
