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Give Your Jeans Flavor: Get an African-Designed Belt

African-inspired belt

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.

Create a Unique Look with African Clothing

Afrian-Inspired Dress

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.

Colors and Symbols in African Clothing

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

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.

Celebrate Your Heritage with African Clothing

Celebrating your African heritage through the clothing you wear is one dynamic and versatile way to tell others who you are and what you are about. Our website offers you access to fashions that are not merely African-inspired, but rather are real, authentic African clothes made on the continent of Africa.

African clothing has a rich history. Depending on what part of Africa a person is from, their clothing is a reflection of that region and diversity. For example, the dashiki is a men’s garment that is typically worn in western Africa. Colorful and unique, the dashiki covers the upper part of the body. There are formal and informal dashikis worn for various ceremonies. Typically, Muslims, Christians and followers of the African traditional religions wear dashikis. The dashiki is typically paired with drawstring pants that match. Often, bridegrooms wear dashikis for their wedding ceremonies.

Another type of dashiki is called a grand boubou. This style is commonly worn with matching pants and a long robe over the outfit. This attire is often worn by Nigerians and also by Muslims. The attire is frequently seen in Francophone countries. However, in recent years, this attire has become popular in western countries as well.

The dashiki is also a popular choice for Kwanzaa celebrations and can be seen frequently in western countries on these occasions.

A trio of African Americans wearing dashikis and African clothing

A trio of African Americans wearing dashikis and African clothing

African clothing choices like the dashiki are a great way to make a fashion-forward statement while simultaneously telling others of your heritage.

To make the African dashiki look even more special, it should be paired with a kufi. The kufi is a traditional West African hat that fits close to the head. A kufi is often worn by older men in Africa who wish to show their status as wiser and revered leaders. But, it can also be worn here in the U.S. to show pride in your heritage.

Whatever African clothing you choose to wear, know that when you put it on, you are sharing a rich history with everyone. You are celebrating a people, a lifestyle, and a world view. The African clothes you display connect you with those of past and future generations.

Create a style that tells others of your pride and your heritage. The African clothes, African jewelry and African hats you wear all tell stories that others want to know.