African Fashion Styles for Black History Month

Africa is rising. It is finally being invited into important spaces where the doors were once closed and the continent has been recognized in different forms all over the world for its cultural agency and influence in arts, music and now, fashion. African fashion, however, is very difficult to define because of its many beautiful fragments. First and foremost, it is important to establish that Africa is not a monolith and as such, the fashion that hails from it is not one either. 54 countries make up the continent, each one having its own distinct set of cultural attributes and style of dress.

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African textiles from various regions such as the Bogolan (mudcloth)of the Bambara tribe in Mali and Aso Oke of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria are just to name a few of the fabrics that are very different yet attractively distinct. And yet, somehow, the colorful wax print cloth popularly known by most as “Ankara” or “African print” has also grown to become the most prominent marker of a distinct African identity. Never mind that there is nothing really African about the African print whose origins are actually Dutch. These wax prints though, have gained a certain type of precedence luring many from all walks of life to their colours and vibrancy.

Many African designers I’ve come across seek to ascertain their African influences and also transcend them at the same time. When it comes to African fashion and styles, I would argue that the most successful brands are the ones who are able to adopt their clothing designs and styles to suit the tastes of their customer. You should buy from African fashion brands who place a lot of effort into ensuring their clothing are stitched with top quality for a variety of audiences. There are many of these brands located both on the continent in the Diaspora.

Do not wait until January or February to start preparing your wardrobe for Black History Month festivities. Get your African fashion and styles in gear. Not sure where to shop for the right clothes? Check out the detailed article I wrote on Where to Buy African Fashion in Canada. Here are some tips below for wearing African fashion styles for Black History Month.

Wear an African Kaftan or Dashiki

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The good thing about a Kaftan is that it’s a flowy piece of clothing that hangs loosely around the neck, drapes over the shoulders and falls to the waist, knees or the ankles, usually with short or long sleeves. Kaftans fit loosely and it’s always a good idea to go one size bigger than usual for achieving that flowy look. It could look like a dashiki or be made of other types of print fabrics in a similar style. Amazon sells some affordable kaftan dresses here but to sure to research the merchant so as to ensure that you are supporting an African seller.

Wrap your head in African prints

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Have you ever tried to adorn your head with a beautiful piece of fabric? Seriously, you should if you have not. It is simultaneously empowering and emboldening – a recipe for good looks. Also known as a turban, a headwrap cover the head and knots tightly close to the front or back of the skull depending on the style you are aiming for. Find out more about where to buy headwraps here.

Try some bold African make-up

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Using some white face paint, start by creating some dots from the forehead to the chin and aligned with the brow bone and cheek bones, being careful to leave at least one inch of space between the paint and the eyes. Layer with lines until you are satisfied with the look. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this. Just let your creativity flow, have fun with it.

Go for chunky African necklaces

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Go for a big choker-style necklace with lots of volume and layers or you can layer one necklace over the other to create a tiered look around your neck. You can go for beaded necklaces in a variety of shapes and sizes. Wooden or metallic jewelry is always a plus and fits in nicely to create that earthy style. When it comes to African jewelry, some times of bohemian necklaces can also achieve the same effect. You just have to be willing to try and see what works. Here is an online shop where you can get some great pieces to buy here.

Deck your soles in African print

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We spend so much time dressing ourselves from the ankle up and sometimes forget to adorn our feet with the best looking shoes. Well, you can deck your soles in print this Black History Month. Simply look for some African print shoes with the colours that match your outfit. If you’re feeling extra bold, you can do with the colour matching altogether and go for clashing prints and patterns for a sharp boost of confidence. Looking for where to buy shoes? Look no further than PanAfrica shoes here.

Jamila Kyari

I’m a seasoned communications and marketing consultant with a penchant for all things stylish and chic. Follow me on social media and subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates on industry trends and much more!

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