50 Ways to wear African fabric

Most of the pictures in this article are of West African batik, but the author also mentions Kente. Kente is a more labor intensive process for the cloth, but perhaps the most significant thing here is that black women in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora are developing a strong sense of fashion style, using African aesthetics.

50 Fabulous Modern Ways to Wear African Fabric

– June 4, 2015

Prints are never going to go out of style and a great way to incorporate them into your wardrobe is to use African prints! Here are a bunch of ways to rock African fabric (also called “ankara”, “kente”, or “dutch wax” depending on where you are) effortlessly with items already in your closet. Feel free to go head to toe if you’re really feeling it.

African Print Up Top

Think crop tops, peplum tops, boxy cuts and even blazers! Just wear with a black pencil skirt or your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans for a quick evening outfit.

african print topbustier topafrican print tunic

crop toppeplum topblazer

African Print Skirts

Pair a flared, mini, skater, midi or maxi skirt in an African print with a solid tee or button down shirt and you’ve got yourself a perfect brunch, church or date outfit.

full skirt 2african print straight skirtafrican print skirtankara maxi skirtafrican print mini skirtkente skater skirt

African Print Bottoms

Similar to skirts, pair African printed pants and shorts in cuts that flatter your shape with basic tops for casual wear that has an element of sophistication.
wide leg pantsafrican print shortsafrican print baggy shortsafrican print denim shortsafrican print pants 2african print pantsafrican print short shortsafrican print trousers
Jumpsuits, Rompers and Coordinate Sets

Turn things all the way up with a one piece African print jumpsuit or romper, or stick to two coordinating pieces for a stellar pant, skirt or short suit.

crop and pantscrop and pencil setshort setafrican print short jumpsuitafrican print romperafrican print jumpsuitafrican print jumpsuit 2

ankara print jumpsuit 2kente short setafrican print overallsafrican print crop and short sets

Dresses

The options with dresses are endless – as long as you can find a tailor, you can sew a dress with African fabric in every style imaginable. A-line dresses work for almost all shapes, but the details (frills, patterns, embroidery, etc) is what makes these dresses stand out from the crowd.

african print day dresskente dressafrican print maxi dressafrican print asymmetrical dressafrican print dress
open back dressafrican print wrap dressafrican print short dress

Accessorize

If you’re hesistant to wear African print all over, incorporate the style into your accessories, with hats, bags, head wraps, shoes and jewelry fit for a queen.

ankara handbagafrican print beanieafrican print braceletsafrican print fittedafrican print headwrapsafrican print shoe and bag setkente sneakersafrican print necklaceafrican print bagafrican print umbrella


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