Adding African Print to Your Wardrobe: Celebrating Diversity and Style
Fashion is an incredible form of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their personality, culture, and heritage through the clothes they wear. One way to infuse vibrancy, culture, and a touch of uniqueness into your wardrobe is by incorporating African prints. African prints, also known as Ankara or Dutch wax prints, have gained international recognition for their bold patterns, rich colors, and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the beauty of African prints and provide you with tips on how to add them to your wardrobe.
Understanding African Prints:
African prints have a long and diverse history, stemming from various regions and countries across the African continent. The vibrant fabrics are often characterized by their intricate geometric patterns, striking motifs, and a mix of bold and earthy colors. Each print carries its own symbolism, telling stories of African traditions, beliefs, and cultural heritage.
Choosing the Right Print:
When incorporating African prints into your wardrobe, it's important to select patterns and colors that resonate with your personal style. African prints offer an array of options, from traditional designs to contemporary interpretations, making it easy to find a print that suits your taste. Consider the following factors when selecting prints:
Colors: African prints are known for their vibrant color palettes, ranging from bright and bold to earthy and subdued tones. Choose colors that complement your skin tone and existing wardrobe. If you prefer a more understated look, opt for prints with neutral or muted colors. For those seeking a bolder statement, vibrant prints with contrasting colors can be a great choice.
Patterns: African prints feature a wide variety of patterns, including geometric shapes, tribal motifs, animal prints, and floral designs. Explore different patterns and find ones that resonate with you. If you prefer a more minimalist approach, choose prints with simpler designs. Alternatively, embrace the complexity and uniqueness of intricate patterns for a more eye-catching ensemble.
Incorporating African Prints into Your Wardrobe:
Now that you have a better understanding of African prints, let's explore how you can incorporate them into your wardrobe to create stunning and culturally inspired outfits:
Statement Pieces: Start by introducing African print as a statement piece. This could be a skirt, dress, blazer, or even a pair of pants. By pairing a bold African print item with neutral basics, you allow the print to take center stage and create a visually striking ensemble.
Mixing and Matching: Another way to incorporate African prints is by mixing them with other prints or solid colors. Experiment with combining different prints, ensuring that the colors and patterns complement each other. For example, pair a vibrant African print top with solid-colored bottoms or layer a printed blazer over a simple dress.
Accessories: Don't limit African prints to clothing alone; accessories can make a powerful fashion statement. Consider adding African print accessories such as scarves, headwraps, bags, or shoes to your ensemble. These versatile pieces can instantly transform a plain outfit into a stylish and culturally rich look.
Modern Interpretations: African prints have evolved to meet contemporary fashion trends. Look for modern interpretations of African prints, such as sleek silhouettes, tailored cuts, or fusion with other fabrics. These adaptations make African prints more accessible and suitable for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events.
Celebrating Cultural Fusion: Embrace the beauty of cultural fusion by incorporating African prints into your existing wardrobe. Mix African prints with garments inspired by other cultures, creating a unique and harmonious blend. This not only highlights the diversity of fashion but also showcases your appreciation for different cultural influences.
Cultural Appreciation and Sensitivity:
When embracing African prints, it's crucial to approach them with cultural appreciation and sensitivity. Understand the history, significance, andmeaning behind the prints you choose to wear. Educate yourself about the cultural origins and symbolism associated with African prints, as this will help you appreciate and respect their cultural significance. Avoid appropriating or misrepresenting African culture by being mindful of the way you style and wear these prints.
Supporting African Designers and Artisans:
Lastly, when adding African prints to your wardrobe, consider supporting African designers and artisans. Many talented designers from Africa create stunning fashion pieces using African prints. By purchasing from these designers, you contribute to their livelihoods and promote sustainable fashion practices.
In conclusion, adding African prints to your wardrobe is a wonderful way to celebrate diversity, embrace cultural heritage, and showcase your personal style. Whether you choose bold and vibrant prints or opt for more subdued and minimalist designs, African prints offer a wide range of options to suit your preferences. Remember to approach African prints with cultural appreciation and sensitivity, supporting African designers and artisans along the way. So, go ahead and infuse your wardrobe with the beauty and richness of African prints, and let your fashion choices tell a story of cultural celebration.
African prints are Vivid, stylish and can make an impact on any wardrobe.
But how do you go about adding West African fabrics to your outfit selection on a budget? We take a look at a few accessories and some more advanced clothing that can be easily made from fabrics.
Small Bags / Cases
Accessories are an easy way to start using new fabrics.
Small items like sunglasses cases and small bags are very easy to put together using a hemstitch on the inside of the bag.
Finish a bag off with a long chain for a shoulder bag or add a clasp for a stylish clutch bag.
Skirts
Skirts are another easy way to dip your feet into the world of African fabrics. always relevant in style, skirts can be made in a few different ways. The pencil skirt is the simplest and easiest to make.
Length is important here, the first thing to measure is the length and where it will be worn. High waisted skirts will need extra length.
Bracelets
Bracelets are a great way to add a splash of colour and style to an outfit. Furthermore, bracelets can take only a few minutes to craft by doubling fabric over and sewing both hems together.
This is a great way to use any spare fabric cuts that you have lying around since they are only small pieces.
Necklaces
Similar to bracelets, necklaces are simple to make and you are only limited by your imagination.
A super simple way to craft a large necklace is to glue fabric over wooden balls and thread them onto a suitable thread.
There are many other ways to craft a necklace such as repeating the process for bracelets.
Scarfs
Scarfs are particularly a good choice for the winter months.
Layers are key here since most African fabrics are quite thin to keep heat to a minimum. Layering the fabric creates a barrier to trap warm air in thus keeping you warm.
There are no rules when it comes to scarfs and you are only limited by fabric and time. Start with all open ends hemmed up to keep the scarf from threading.
African Prints at lower costs
Since this blog has centred around low-cost ways to add African Prints to your wardrobe we would urge you to check out our special offers section where you can find many fabrics at better than half price with worldwide shipping!
