Dressing Etiquette

Men and women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo enjoy dressing up in nice clothes with bright colors. The Congolese dress in a style known as "Liputa," which translates to "wearing colorful materials." Wearing nice clothes is extremely important in this country because the nicer the clothes are, the more respect one will receive. Hats and headwraps are extremely popular in Congo fashion. Because of the oppressive heat, the headwear offers sun protection and shade.

On regular days, the ladies dress in a top and skirt with a headdress, which is a very popular style in the country. The colors and patterns on these tops, headdresses, and skirts are usually bright. Women always wear dresses, never pants. Congolese men also place a high value on fashion. Men began to dress in a style known as "Les Sapeurs" in the 1970s, in which they wore nice clothes such as suits and a variety of bright colors. They frequently purposefully clash their colors in order to stand out, and they wear very nice shoes.