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A trio wearing dashikis

A great choice in African clothing is the dashiki. Whether you want the full dashiki outfit, including matching pants, or simply a dashiki top, you are sure to enhance your style with African inspired clothing.

The dashiki is a garment that is worn in West Africa and it has been popular there for many years. Originally, only men wore dashikis, but now, you can find them in unisex styles. In the 1960s, dashikis became more popular in the west with the rise of the black power movement and the political struggles that many African-Americans faced at that time. Dashikis are a great way to express your African cultural heritage and African style.

An informal dashiki is typically embroidered or displays a mud-print design. The formal dashiki commonly worn by Christians, Muslims or followers of traditional African religion, is made for men. This includes a top and a pair of matching drawstring trousers. Usually, a kufi hat is worn with this attire. Most often this style of dashiki is worn by the bridegroom at weddings.

A traditional dashiki has a shirt that comes down about mid-thigh.  A long dashiki suit includes a shirt that comes down to the knees or longer. There are also more delicate and detailed dashiki suits with a shirt made of lace.

The designs are robust and varied. You can find short-sleeved unisex dashikis, mud-print dashikis, Ethiopian star dashikis or tie-dye dashikis. They come in a variety of colors, ensuring that you are able to select a design that best suits your individual tastes.

The dashiki is a must-have piece of African clothing. The dashiki speaks of ancient times on the continent of Africa and celebrates the life and the beauty of that land. The dashiki also celebrates your sense of style and your fashion flavor. The African clothing you wear is simply an outer manifestation of your ethnic background. You will be sure to attract admiration and respect when wearing African clothes.

Whatever your age, your gender or your outlook, if you want to wear a piece of African clothing that truly expresses rich and deep history, while simultaneously looking attractive and unique, then the dashiki is the right choice for you. Pair it with jeans or with matching pants and a cowry necklace, and you will make a statement that will demonstrate your style and heritage.

African clothing has a rich history and the designs still reflect the uniqueness and depth of the culture. When you wear an African clothing choice, you are carrying with you all of the history and beauty of that culture. Evolving over time, the clothes show much about the people and the climate of Africa. The colors and choices of beads used in certain items were used originally to distinguish one tribe from another. Also, the types of material used were those available in different geographic locations of Africa.

In Ghana, Kente cloth was used and was designed with rich and vibrant colors. The Mali tribes were known for their beautiful mud cloth with identifiable brown and beige patterns. And, there was the Kuba cloth worn frequently by those in the Congo.

Man wearing a boubou

Because of the climate, all of the designs have an almost toga-like and flowing shape to them. The heat has always been a factor in the design of African clothing. In Nigeria and Senegal, the women and the men wear boubous, loose-fitting wrap-like robes that are easy to wear and comfortable. They are colorful and pretty, but they are also functional.

When you want to create a unique style, African clothing provides you with the options to create your own style. The style will reflect both who you are and what heritage you are celebrating.

For men, a beautiful and elegant dashiki is a great choice with matching pants. The traditional dashiki is loose-fitting and displays fine colors and styles. For women, a gorgeous mud-print dress is an excellent choice. These African clothes are well-made and durable, but they are also going to give you a look that others will admire and want to emulate.

Adding jewelry to your African clothing ensemble is also a nice way to give your style more flavor. The jewelry is mystical looking and will make you feel that you are somehow connected to the rich spiritual aspects of African culture when you wear it. From the beautiful cowry-bead necklaces to the mysterious crescent-moon necklaces and earrings, African designs are a splendid choice. The jewelry worn in ancient times in Africa was almost always worn for religious or spiritual practices, thus the designs still reflect these qualities.

African clothes and jewelry will make you a stand-out on any occasion. Diversify your look and add some of the great designs here on our site.

Whatever fashion statement you want to make with your African designs, you are sure to be a hit if you use African accessories to add some flavor to your wardrobe. There are a host of choices ranging from colorful African jewelry to stylish African handbags and African hats. Something is here for everyone.

If you want to start slowly in your inclusion of African styles in your wardrobe, there are several key accessories that will help you along the way. For women, you should think about trying an African handbag.

Sisal African Handbag

A nice choice would be a sisal bag. Sisal fabric is woven and heavy-duty, therefore, it stands up to the test of time. Because the fabric is so durable, you can keep the sisal bag for years to come and even pass it along to your daughter when you are ready for a new one. The sisal bag comes in different colors and styles, all woven into a beautiful design.

Another excellent African accessory for women is the cowry belt. You can choose from ornate cowry designs or simple ones. The beautiful cowry shells are creamy white in color and provide a great accent for jeans or black slacks. These belts can be worn by any woman—young or old—and they make a dynamic statement.

Women's Cowry Belt

The rasta hemp belt is also a fun African clothing accessory choice for you if you are looking to accent your outfit. The belts are made of soft hemp and the rasta design is colorful and unique, usually featuring stripes of red and green.

The ruana poncho is another fantastic accessory for ladies who want to infuse bold colors and geometric shapes into their wardrobe. The ruana poncho is worn over any outfit, whether casual or dressy, and adds a dynamic African clothing enhancement to your style. The ruana ponchos are elegant, warm and beautiful.

For the gentleman who wants to add flavor to his African clothing, the rasta-colored kufi cap is a great addition. These caps are colorful and unique with a yellow, red and green stripe woven around them. You are sure to stand out when you don this kufi cap.

Whatever your style or your budget, a great way to enhance your wardrobe is to add an African accessory, such as an African handbag, an African hat or African belt, to your outfit.