August 2nd, 2009 in African Handbags | No Comments »
For ladies who want to add African accessories to their wardrobe, the choices are plentiful. African handbags are a lovely option and they provide any woman with a chance to show off her sense of style while celebrating ethnic roots. There are many selections, but one of the nicest choices is the sisal handbag.

Sisal Bag
Sisal is a kind of plant that yields a stiff fiber which can be utilized for rope, twine, home furnishings, textiles and handbags. It is grown in many parts of Africa, including Tanzania and Kenya. There are large estates in east Africa where sisal is grown and the fiber is decorticated (the leaves of the plant are crushed, and then they are beaten with a rotating wheel to extract the fiber). After this process, the fiber is washed and dried, and then baled and prepared for export. Sisal production in Africa is a great business, and the sisal produced is durable, long-lasting, flexible and easy to dye.
The sisal handbags you will find at YourAfricanClothingShop.com are diverse and beautiful with color and style choices as diverse and unique as our clients themselves. One beautiful African handbag style to consider is the sisal bag with the African map on it. The bag is brown and tan in color and the gorgeous outline of the African continent is displayed on the side.
Another sisal bag is solid white with imprints of cowry shells on the side. The bag is versatile and can be worn with almost any of your African clothing styles, or you can simply wear it with jeans and your favorite t-shirt to show off your African style. The bag is large and will hold all of your necessities.

Sisal Bags
A sisal bag is an easy choice for any fashion-forward woman. The bag is stylish but not overstated. It is beautiful but not gaudy. Why not add a sisal bag to your African clothing wardrobe? Spice up your style with these great African bags, and for addition flavor, add African jewelry or an African belt to complete your outfit.
Any woman will find what she seeks at YourAfricanClothingShop.com. From African accessories to African clothes to African jewelry, you are sure to come across what you are looking for. The African clothes and styles available are all authentic and were all made in Africa.
April 2nd, 2009 in African Clothing | No Comments »
African clothing in earlier times was not a necessity. In fact, it was so hot, many chose not to wear clothing at all. Instead, in those days, men and women decorated their bodies with painted designs and marked their skin with tattoos. The earliest clothing in Africa was primarily used to cover the intimate areas of the body and was simple in design.
Over time, the people of Africa began to use cloth made of cotton or the fiber of palms to sew together clothes. Initially, cloth was hand-woven, but with time, the weaving looms were used which allowed them to create more stylized patterns. The men wove the fabric and the women decorated it.

Women's mudcloth dress
The most widely-known fabrics are:
- Mud Cloth: this cloth is textured and has brown and beige designs. Mud cloth comes from Mali.
- Kente Cloth: From Ghana, this type of cloth comes in both silk and cotton.
- Tufted Kuba: Cloth: From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this cloth originates.
Each region of Africa has its own type of cloth that it predominantly uses. Almost all of the styles of the various regions are loose-fitting robe-like garments designed for coolness in the hot weather. Often, African styles resemble the Roman toga. The many toga-like robes can be seen in the various areas. For example, in Nigeria and Senegal, the boubou is popular. In Nigeria, the agbada and riga are worn. And, the dansiki is worn in western Africa. In northern Africa, the Muslim influence is seen in the style of dress.
Like all cultures, Africa was influenced by trade with other nations and the clothing styles reflect that. When traders began to come from other continents, there was an influx of different materials and jewels to use in the clothing designs. New types of beads were brought in and these beads began to decorate the various garments. As more contact with Europeans emerged, they too introduced Western clothing to Africa. Nowadays, it is commonplace to see jeans and t-shirts as often as the traditional African clothes others wear.
Knowing about the origins and evolution of African clothes helps us better understand our heritage and how these dynamic clothes have stood the test of time and are still as beautiful today as they were in yesteryears. The choices are vast when seeking African clothes, and the history only makes the choices more fascinating to make.
March 20th, 2009 in African Clothing, Dashiki | No Comments »

Unisex Dashiki African clothes
If there is one thing that can be said definitively about African clothing it is that these clothes are versatile. You can see the versatility in the many unisex options that are available for your selection. So many of the African clothes you might select can be worn on any occasion and worn by men or women, depending on tastes.
One of the African clothing options you might choose is the unisex pantsuit made in gorgeous mud-print fabric. The fabric itself is durable and holds color well, so it’s easy to wash and wear these stylish outfits. In addition to versatility and functionality, the designs are fabulous. These great African clothes come in an array of colors and designs ranging from the simple to the more elaborate. Unisex outfits like these make a serious statement about your fashion-forward outlook and you can match outfits with your spouse for even greater effect.
Another nice unisex choice in African clothing is the dashiki. These gorgeous tops come in many colors and reflect the vibrant beauty of western Africa. You can still see many people in that region of Africa wearing these garments, and they definitely set you apart as someone who has good taste and also understands the heritage. The dashiki is comfortable and stylish, offering up the best of the traditional and the contemporary in its design.
If you are interested in a far Eastern flavor, you might try one of the unisex Thailand dashikis. The colors are typical of that island region with beautiful blues, whites and lavenders. Another nice option would be the unisex Ethiopian cross dashiki. Made in a lovely cream color and accented on the front with an Ethiopian cross, these dashikis are elegant and stylish.
And, finally, you might try a hat on for size. Though the kufi is traditionally worn by men, you can see women wearing these stylish hats more often than you would think. The kufi comes in many colors ranging from simple white or black to the more colorful rasta-inspired colors. Another option would be a nice Fulani straw hat. With the summer months coming soon, you might add one of these gorgeous and distinctive hats to your wardrobe. Not only are they beautiful, but they are practical for those hot afternoons when you need some shade.
African clothing is as diverse as the continent of Africa, and there is sure to be something that appeals to almost every taste. Check out the many unisex options and get your wardrobe amped up today.
March 18th, 2009 in African Clothing, African Handbags, African Jewelry, Cowry, Dashiki | No Comments »
There are so many choices when selecting African clothing for your wardrobe. There are African purses, African jewelry, African handbags, ethnic jewelry styles and a large variety of options. The diversity and richness of the clothes and accessories are part of the reason why they are so very desirable. Whether you want to spice up your look and add a dash of color and African style for effect, or you want to dress from head to toe in African clothes, there is something for everyone.

Woman wearing African Clothing style
Although variety and styles are abundant, there are five must-have African clothing styles that you need to get your hands on for the best look.
The Kaftan: In West Africa, women wear colorful and beautiful kaftans. These are pullover dresses called wrappers and they are made in vibrant colors with various degrees of ornamentation. The kaftans are typically worn during the hottest part of the year because of their comfort and coolness. The kaftan is traditionally worn with a headscarf to match it. The style is most commonly worn at formal occasions nowadays, but there are informal versions of the kaftan as well. When paired with African jewelry or an African handbag, the Kaftan is a great choice and a must-have for ladies.
The Dashiki Top: The dashiki is traditionally worn by men in West Africa, but the style has evolved now and both men and women wear the colorful dashiki tops. These tunic-like garments come in rich and beautiful colors and can be worn with jeans or casual pants to complete any African outfit.
The Kufi: For men who want to get into African clothing, the kufi is a must-have. These beautifully designed hats that fit close to the head create a fashion statement wherever they are worn. They come in many different colors and designs and are very stylish.
The Cowry Necklace: Cowry shells were once used as a form of currency in Africa, but now they are used as one of the most beautiful choices for African jewelry. You should definitely include a cowry shell necklace in your list of African clothing must-haves.
Mudprint Pant Set: Any African clothing wardrobe should include a mudprint pant set. These beautifully designed sets can be worn by men and women. This choice of attire is great for couples who want to wear matching outfits.