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African-inspired belt

If you want to give your jeans flavor, add an African-designed belt to make them truly stand out. These colorful and beautifully-crafted belts give anyone wearing them a sense of flair and style. There are several different styles to choose from, and any woman will be happy to add one to her wardrobe. African clothes and African jewelry are gorgeous, and African belts accentuate any outfit.

There are many choices available, including several cowry-shell belts. Some of them come in black and red, others are solid white. Whatever your choice, these cowry shells make an impression. Other choices include a stylish African leather belt, as well as a Rasta-style belt featuring red, green and yellow stripes.

The cowry shell belts are some of the most popular. Did you know that cowry shells were originally used in Africa as a form of currency? In fact, African traders preferred cowry shells over gold and silver when taking currency for the goods they sold to Europeans. Over the course of time, cowry shells made their way to Egypt where the shells were believed to have magical properties. Indeed, cowry shells by the thousand were found in the Pharaoh’s tombs.

When you wear a cowry-shell belt, you will bring not only attention for the beauty of the design, but also because of the rich history these shells carry. Some of the magic and mystery of the cowry can help bring you luck in adding flavor and beauty to your wardrobe.

Whatever choices you make, African belts are a must-have for anyone who wants to celebrate their African heritage with something beautiful and inspiring. The cowry shell is highly durable and will last for years to come, while never going out of style. With all of the many choices for African clothing, you are sure to find what you want.

Find the perfect cowry-shell, leather or Rasta-style belt to add to your jeans and add flavor to your look. With a traditional appeal and a modern feel, the cowry-shell belt will work for you and get you the attention you deserve.

Afrian-Inspired Dress

When you wear African clothing, you can create your own unique look while also celebrating the rich history and tradition held within the African clothes you wear. The colors, fabrics and designs of African clothes are elegant and beautiful, yet simple and durable. When you wear African clothes, you are reaching back to the very cradle of life. The history of these clothes runs deep.

According to historians, the first clothes worn in Africa were made of leather and fur. The first jewelry was made of sea shells and feathers. Over many thousands of years, the clothing choices became more varied and were made for comfort and coolness. The climate in Africa can be relentlessly hot, so the clothes were made to reduce the effects of the heat.

Some of the earliest clothes were made of pounded tree bark that was cut into pieces and sewn together. Also, people pounded cloth from raffia palms. African clothes made from this bark were dyed in a rich indigo color, the same color dye we use to make denim turn blue today. The men worked the fabric and the women designed it.

Over time, the practice of weaving cloth became the norm and looms began to be used. Linen, wool and cotton became the most popular forms of cloth and were the primary textiles used to make African clothing.

Though times and tastes have changed, you can still see the rich history of Africa in the African clothes you buy. They are still made of beautiful colors and cotton fabrics. The way the clothes are designed and decorated is still reflective of the culture from which the clothes were derived. The cool, flowing designs and the easy wear of them is appropriate for anyone who wants to celebrate their culture through their clothes.

If you want to create a unique look with your African clothing, start out with a nice dashiki pant set. These come in a variety of colors and designs and they also come in unisex styles, so anyone can wear them. The dashiki is often the first choice among those new to African style. After that, try out some cowry shell necklaces or belts to accent your outfit and add some flavor to your African clothing wardrobe.

Whatever your age or size, you will find something you love at YourAfricanClothing Shop.com. The styles are beautiful and the clothes will last for many years to come.

African outfit with matching Kufi Hat

Authentic African clothing provides men, women and kids with all the colorful and dynamic options they want when dressing to celebrate their rich African heritage. These African clothes are versatile and long-lasting and they never go out of style. The history and tradition of African clothing is long and intriguing, and one item that comes from this lasting culture is the kufi hat, an absolute must-have for men.

The kufi hat comes from West Africa where men have worn it for years. The hat is brimless and rounded to fit to the shape of the head. Often, you see older men in West Africa wearing a kufi hat each and every day. For them, the hat is a symbol of their status as wise older patriarchs. African Muslims can be seen wearing the hats on Fridays for their prayers. In recent years, kufi hats have made their mark in American hip-hop culture, but they may also be seen on the heads of any man who wants to show his cultural heritage.

Kufi hats are available in a range of colors and styles. There are knitted kufi hats, rasta-style kufi hats, Kente cloth kufi hats and others. The crown style kufi hat is worn with formal outfits and is often made in white.  Most frequently, kufis are worn with dashikis as part of the formal outfit.

The kufi hat is one of the many beautifully designed caps that you can find at YourAfricanClothingShop.com. The hats are durable and stylish and offer any man who wears them the opportunity to celebrate his heritage while simultaneously celebrating his own unique style.

The Fulani straw hat is another popular choice. The Fula people of West Africa make these hats and they are both beautiful and practical. The wide brim of the hat is perfect for hot summer afternoons when you need to shield your face and eyes from the sun.

An African hat is one choice that any man can appreciate. African clothes provide a way to get the African textures, fabrics and styles that will make your wardrobe a real standout. For any man in your life, a kufi hat will offer him a chance to display his heritage with style. Celebrating African culture with African clothes and hats is a dynamic and artistic way to make a statement.

Africa is a vast continent with different cultures and styles of clothing that reflect the people, the place, the status, and the religions of these diverse peoples. When you choose to wear African clothing, you are stepping back in time and offering a celebration of the culture it was made in, as well as the concepts that inspired the clothes.

Below is a look at several types of cloth which are commonly used, as well as the cultural and regional influences of the various regions of Africa:

Korhogo Cloth: Made by the Sunofo people on the Ivory Coast, this type of cloth is designed by using mud to paint the cloth in various geometric designs. The mud is typically black, brown or rust and it is taken from various parts of western Africa. The cloth is used for clothes, as well as pillows and home furnishings.

Mud cloth dress

Mud Cloth: This beautiful cloth originated in Mali and at one time was worn by hunters of that region. Nowadays, it is used for a large variety of African clothes. The cloth is made from hand-woven cotton and carved bamboo is used to apply mud to the cloth to create designs on it. The mud is taken from the river banks. After it is used to decorate the cloth, it is allowed to dry to achieve richer color. The process is repeated until the design is complete. The most popular colors are purple, white, beige, yellow and rust.

African Tie-Dye: This style of cloth is very popular in Senegal, Gambia and Yoruba. The colors are modern yet traditional. There are various methods used to tie-dye. Whatever the method, though, the African tie-dye is a prominent feature in African clothing.

Ewe Cloth: Similar to the Kente cloth, this type of material originates in the southeastern area of Ghana.  Usually made of silk or rayon, the ewe cloth is frequently worn by those of a high status. The cloth bears symbols that represent knowledge, ethics and morals which are supposed to be used in everyday life. Other ewe cloth designs are more humble and simple in texture and design, but they are still quite beautiful.

The style and culture of African clothes can be worn and displayed in any place or time and make a distinctive statement about the person who chooses to wear them.  Making yourself aware of the rich history and culture behind the clothes adds even more depth to your choices.

African clothing has a rich history going back thousands of years, and more often these days you can see African-Americans choosing to enhance their style and celebrate their heritage by donning these garments. The designs of the clothes are one reflection of African culture, but the colors and symbols that decorate them are also important to understand.

African clothes that are made of the combined colors of red, gold and green represent the colors of the stripes of the Ethiopian flag. Also, black, green and gold combinations represent the colors of the African National Congress’ flag. Kente cloth is known for its brilliant colors and designs and this cloth is frequently seen as a symbol of the African continent.

The Fulani women wear bright flowing robe-like garments and gold hoop earrings to mark their style and their region. And, in each region of Africa, the style and colors of garments are a reflection of whom you are and where you are from.

The colors of the garments hold various meanings depending on the village you are from. For instance, in certain parts of Nigeria, red is seen as a threatening color which can only be worn by chiefs. The color is believed to keep evil away. In other regions, red is the color of achievement or success. Adinkra cloth is worn typically at funerals and farewells. Dark colored adinkra cloth in brick red, brown or black symbolizes death. Alternately, bright colored adinkra cloth in white, yellow or blue is worn for festive or happy occasions. Adinkra cloth is still very popular in Ghana today.

Two Kente Cloth Style

Kente cloth made by the Fante of Ghana has many different designs and colors with various meanings. Red is the symbol of bloodshed and is frequently worn for political meetings and rallies. Green represents fertility and you can see it worn often during a young girl’s adolescence. White symbolizes purity or victory. Yellow represents maturity or glory and chiefs frequently wear this color. Blue symbolizes love, and black represents aging.

Knowing the symbolic meanings of color and design in African clothing helps you to have a greater sense of the culture and the rich history of the African styles you can find today. Whatever your ethnic heritage may be, you can find an African style that reflects your identity and your good taste too. There are a lot of choices, but the variety and the quality are there for you, so enjoy.