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Traditional South African clothing usually consists of vibrantly colored materials worn by different sub tribes. Each tribe had its own dress code for various stages of growth whether be it a man or woman and the code was followed to the letter. Different colors and size of the covering piece were used to identify a single woman from a married one, and it so followed for men's attire for example the piece of cloth worn by the village elder could not be worn by a young man.

Zulu married women wear dull colored outfits that were combined together with a shawl and hat to show their status. Young women, on the other hand, wear brightly colored garments to attract suitors from the opposite sex. This tribe is one of the best known in the country.

The Xhosa most distinctive form of dressing is in the way unmarried women who do not wear anything from the waist up. They wear simple short skirts to indicate their readiness to mingle and get hitched. The men on the other hand wear brightly colored blankets and some wear conical hats that made them stand out in the community according to their respective social standing in the community.

Venda men wear Scottish skirts made out of grass accompanied with either feathers or other paraphernalia depending on the occasion and position. Women wear from simple grass loin cloths to leather ones depending on their maturity and social standing. During ceremonies every member of the community was expected to play his or her part by dressing up specifically for the occasion.

The Afrikaner community on the other hand wore every day clothes consisting of trousers and shirts for the men and skirts for the ladies. During special occasions they wear ravish garments made out of silk and other fine materials. The garments are accessorized with broad brimmed hats for the male folk and the Voortrekker bonnet for the women.

South African clothing tradition has come a long way and still remains relevant in the fashion industry. It serves as a source of inspiration particularly in the search for a national dress. For one to get to know they have to look at their past and that is what these rich traditions offer to the fashion world.