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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.

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.