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50 Fabulous Modern Ways to Wear African Fabric

Prints are never going to go out of style and a great way to incorporate them into your wardrobe is to use African prints! Here are a bunch of ways to rock African fabric (also called “ankara”, “kente”, or “dutch wax” depending on where you are) effortlessly with items already in your closet. Feel free to go head to toe if you’re really feeling it.

African Print Up Top

Think crop tops, peplum tops, boxy cuts and even blazers! Just wear with a black pencil skirt or your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans for a quick evening outfit.

african print top bustier topafrican print tunic

crop top peplum topblazer

African Print Skirts

Pair a flared, mini, skater, midi or maxi skirt in an African print with a solid tee or button down shirt and you’ve got yourself a perfect brunch, church or date outfit.

full skirt 2african print straight skirt african print skirt ankara maxi skirtafrican print mini skirtkente skater skirt

African Print Bottoms

Similar to skirts, pair African printed pants and shorts in cuts that flatter your shape with basic tops for casual wear that has an element of sophistication.
wide leg pantsafrican print shortsafrican print baggy shortsafrican print denim shortsafrican print pants 2african print pantsafrican print short shortsafrican print trousers
Jumpsuits, Rompers and Coordinate Sets

Turn things all the way up with a one piece African print jumpsuit or romper, or stick to two coordinating pieces for a stellar pant, skirt or short suit.

crop and pants crop and pencil set short setafrican print short jumpsuitafrican print romperafrican print jumpsuitafrican print jumpsuit 2

ankara print jumpsuit 2 kente short setafrican print overallsafrican print crop and short sets

Dresses

The options with dresses are endless – as long as you can find a tailor, you can sew a dress with African fabric in every style imaginable. A-line dresses work for almost all shapes, but the details (frills, patterns, embroidery, etc) is what makes these dresses stand out from the crowd.

african print day dresskente dressafrican print maxi dressafrican print asymmetrical dress african print dress
open back dressafrican print wrap dressafrican print short dress

Accessorize

If you’re hesistant to wear African print all over, incorporate the style into your accessories, with hats, bags, head wraps, shoes and jewelry fit for a queen.

ankara handbagafrican print beanieafrican print braceletsafrican print fittedafrican print headwrapsafrican print shoe and bag setkente sneakers african print necklaceafrican print bagafrican print umbrellaafrican print clutch

How do you wear African prints?

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Klassy Kinks

KlassyKinks.com founder and editor, Ijeoma Eboh, is on a mission to change perceptions of kinky textured hair around the world. You can find her on social media @klassykinks.
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44 Responses

  1. Dear sir
    As I mentioned we are a big supplier of Greige Fabrics and we can provide regular grey fabric qualities for African Market as well
    In 100% Cotton, we can mainly offer at very nice price the below Greige fabrics all kind for fabrics

    24×24/72×60
    32×32/68×68
    32X32/82X82
    27×27/70×72
    40×40/96×96
    I will wait your precious feedback about your interest in this or any other kind of Finished fabrics or bed sheetings. Also all kind cotton cvc pc yarn

    Reply

  2. Want to know how an African-American seamstress can get involved with making African -fabric clothing already being marketed. (Contract with seller) Also interested in children’s line.

    Reply

  8. Beautiful pics. I’m inspired to dust off my sewing machine and teach my daughters how to make their own clothes.

    Reply

  16. I know I’m late. Disques takes too long to upload on my phone. These prints are banging. Cool post.

    Reply

  20. Just a quick correction. Kente is not exactly a print but a certain TYPE of woven cloth from the Ashanti region of Ghana; I think most of the other pictures were print.

    Most (West African) prints are indeed called Dutch Wax because this particular cloth printing process was developed by the Dutch over 100 years ago and was brought to West Africa by Dutch traders. Check out this article for more on the interesting history of African Print 🙂

    http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/03/african_fabric_where_do_tribal_prints_really_come_from_.html

    Reply

  22. Im Nigerian and generally you buy the material yourself and give it to a tailor who’ll make it into the style you want.

    Reply

  24. I usually rock a cute skirt or dress. I’m looking forward to getting some more modern things made this summer in Ghana. I have two posts on my blog on where to purchase cute African print skirts and dresses. Links below, I hope they help 🙂
    Cute African Print Dresses
    http://allthingsammamama.com/2014/07/21/cute-african-print-dresses/

    Cute African Print Skirts
    http://allthingsammamama.com/2014/09/05/cute-african-print-skirts/

    Nubian Hueman Boutique also has some nice African Inspired modern wear and accessories
    http://nubianhueman.com/

    Reply

  25. Great pieces! A list of the links would be nice, although I know you can find african fabric pieces on etsy. There are a number of them that are expensive though. I think it is because of how the fabric and piece are made…

    Reply

  30. These are dope, but uh……..do you have any recommendations on where we can get these pieces?

    Reply

  31. I love this article! My favs are the peplum top and, I think that’s Style pantry’s pants. I love the diversity of looks from more edgy, to classic, and I love the two bohemian looks. Now how do I get started? Where can I buy these looks or do I have to get these items made? Thanks for an amazing article!

    Reply

    2. Hi you can also visit chichia london website. she designs clothes using khanga (pronounced kanga) material from Tanzania, East Africa. they are just as colourful and cheaper plus they have written messages on them

      Reply

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