If you like to stick to brands made famous by the likes of the Kardashians or some random hip hop artist, or even prefer to align your clothing choice with the seasonal fast-fashion items from massive retail stores, you’re missing out.

Honestly.

South Africa has some of the coolest brands out there and if you’re not looking, you’re going to miss out, big time.

After all, the time is now to #BuyLocal, support the small guys, and start giving every one a chance to pave their own way in the world.

Here are some of the coolest local brands, with the most legit Instagram accounts, for you to follow:

Granadilla

You know you get those granadilla lollies? Well, this is just as fresh, but just a little better.

Adam and Josh’s claim to fame is that they have the ability to whip up a killer pair of boardies for the average South African. Digitally printing original designs onto raw, white, quick-dry fabric, the duo’s limited edition swimwear is just what we all need to brighten up our lives.

Boys get to wear bright colours, girls get to see said boys in bright colours.

It’s a win-win for both sides – and their Instagram is as delicious as that granadilla-lolly nostalgia sounds:

You need to see more – check HERE.

Merwe Mode

Fashion designer Deeva van der Merwe, from Cape Town, and graphic designer Sarah Wocknitz, from Germany, make up the fashion brand Merwe Mode.

Along with their eye for detail, the duo creates some of the most fashion-forward clothes to come out of Cape Town.

Their look is classic, clean-cut and androgynous, with each piece complete with unique detailing from the use of original acid prints to quirky tailoring flair.

Of course, this means their Instagram account is a masterpiece all on its own:

And you need to see their latest campaign.

2Bop

What began in 2004, inspired by games that were popular in South Africa at corner shops and arcades in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, has developed into one of the coolest Cape Town brands out there. Headed by Anthony Smith, he brought on Bradley Abrahams in 2004 and here’s where the name, 2Bop, came from:

Disadvantaged areas during apartheid South Africa had little to offer in terms of exposure to cutting edge international design or computer technology but the bootleg arcade games that used twenty cent pieces (a 2Bop) to play at the corner shop were a window into what was happening in the outside world. These games granted access to excellent electronic entertainment and exposed the 2Bop crew to intuitive and engaging interface design, game design, graphic and sound design primarily from Japan and North America. And so began a long fascination with the medium that shows no signs of stopping.

Pretty sweet, hey? So is their Instagram:

Simon Deporres

Jesse Lange + Simon Pocock +  Mpilo Deporres = Simon Deporres.

A fashion label that strives to create garments of the highest quality and purpose, it has the ability to strike a balance between daily function and tailored fit.

Never plain, always simple, the brand’s clean lines and textures allow the wearer to add their personal aesthetic, allowing you to wear it your way, always:

How clean? Mmmm.

The Joinery

Think Fair Trade sewing co-ops, community sustainability, and materials that are either hemp-based, organic, or made from recycled bottles.

The Joinery incorporates all that and more, using traditional techniques to create contemporary designs.

Seriously.

Started by sisters Natalie and Kim Ellis, the brand’s missions is to be transparent about their journey, while continuing to improve everything they do, every step of the way.

And their Instagram account helps them achieve that:

Yes, that top middle picture is a laptop case.

Each and every single one of these brands is represented by WearSA, a local movement driven “through the collective vision of a local network of honest, passionate South African fashion industry activists striving to make a difference through design, manufacturing and retail in the clothing and textile industry.”

And if they are making an effort to keep an eye out on what’s going down in the local fashion world, you should too.