The following writing sample on African Clothing is printed with DEMOpermission. 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 DEMOworn 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.

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. DEMO Five Must-Have African Clothing Styles

There are so many choices when selecting African clothing for your wardrobe. There are African purses, African jewelry, African handbags, ethnic jewelry styles and a large variety of options. The diversity and richness of the clothes and accessories are part of the reason why they are so very desirable. Whether you want to spice up your look and add a dash of color and African style for effect, or you want to dress from head to toe in African clothes, there is something for everyone.

Although variety and styles are abundant, there are five must-have African clothing styles that you need to get your hands on for the best look.

The Kaftan: In West Africa, women wear colorful and beautiful kaftans. These are pullover dresses called wrappers and they are made in vibrant colors with various degrees of ornamentation. The kaftans are typically worn during the hottest part of the year because of their comfort and coolness. The kaftan is traditionally worn with a headscarf to match it. The style is most commonly worn at formal occasions nowadays, but there are informal versions of the kaftan as well. When paired with African jewelry or an African handbag, the Kaftan is a great choice and a must-have for DEMOladies. The Dashiki Top: The dashiki is traditionally worn by men in West Africa, but the style has evolved now and both men and women wear the colorful dashiki tops. These tunic-like garments come in rich and beautiful colors and can be worn with jeans or casual pants to complete any African outfit.

The Kufi: For men who want to get into African clothing, the kufi is a must- have. These beautifully designed hats that fit close to the head create a fashion statement wherever they are worn. They come in many different colors and designs and are very stylish.

The Cowry Necklace: Cowry shells were once used as a form of currency in Africa, but now they are used as one of the most beautiful choices for African jewelry. You should definitely include a cowry shell necklace in your list of African clothing must-haves.

Mudprint Pant Set: Any African clothing wardrobe should include a mudprint pant set. These beautifully designed sets can be worn by men and women. This choice of attire is great for couples who want to wear matching outfits. DEMO How to Accessorize any Outfit with African Designs

Whatever fashion statement you want to make with your African designs, you are sure to be a hit if you use African accessories to add some flavor to your wardrobe. There are a host of choices ranging from colorful African jewelry to stylish African handbags and African hats. Something is here for everyone.

If you want to start slowly in your inclusion of African styles in your wardrobe, there are several key accessories that will help you along the way. For women, you should think about trying an African handbag. A nice choice would be a sisal bag. Sisal fabric is woven and heavy-duty, therefore, it stands up to the test of time. Because the fabric is so durable, you can keep the sisal bag for years to come and even pass it along to your daughter when you are ready for a new one. The sisal bag comes in different colors and styles, all woven into a beautiful design.

Another excellent African accessory for women is the cowry belt. You can choose from ornate cowry designs or simple ones. The beautiful cowry shells are creamy white in color and provide a great accent for jeans or DEMOblack slacks. These belts can be worn by any woman—young or old—and they make a dynamic statement.

The rasta hemp belt is also a fun African clothing accessory choice for you if you are looking to accent your outfit. The belts are made of soft hemp and the rasta design is colorful and unique, usually featuring stripes of red and green.

The ruana poncho is another fantastic accessory for ladies who want to infuse bold colors and geometric shapes into their wardrobe. The ruana poncho is worn over any outfit, whether casual or dressy, and adds a dynamic African clothing enhancement to your style. The ruana ponchos are elegant, warm and beautiful.

For the gentleman who wants to add flavor to his African clothing, the rasta- colored kufi cap is a great addition. These caps are colorful and unique with a yellow, red and green stripe woven around them. You are sure to stand out when you don this kufi cap.

Whatever your style or your budget, a great way to enhance your wardrobe is to add an African accessory, such as an African handbag, an African hat or African belt, to your outfit. DEMO Stylish African Unisex Clothing Styles

If there is one thing that can be said definitively about African clothing it is that these clothes are versatile. You can see the versatility in the many unisex options that are available for your selection. So many of the African clothes you might select can be worn on any occasion and worn by men or women, depending on tastes.

One of the African clothing options you might choose is the unisex pantsuit made in gorgeous mud-print fabric. The fabric itself is durable and holds color well, so it’s easy to wash and wear these stylish outfits. In addition to versatility and functionality, the designs are fabulous. These great African clothes come in an array of colors and designs ranging from the simple to the more elaborate. Unisex outfits like these make a serious statement about your fashion-forward outlook and you can match outfits with your spouse for even greater effect.

Another nice unisex choice in African clothing is the dashiki. These gorgeous tops come in many colors and reflect the vibrant beauty of western Africa. You can still see many people in that region of Africa DEMOwearing these garments, and they definitely set you apart as someone who has good taste and also understands the heritage. The dashiki is comfortable and stylish, offering up the best of the traditional and the contemporary in its design.

If you are interested in a far Eastern flavor, you might try one of the unisex Thailand dashikis. The colors are typical of that island region with beautiful blues, whites and lavenders. Another nice option would be the unisex Ethiopian cross dashiki. Made in a lovely cream color and accented on the front with an Ethiopian cross, these dashikis are elegant and stylish.

And, finally, you might try a hat on for size. Though the kufi is traditionally worn by men, you can see women wearing these stylish hats more often than you would think. The kufi comes in many colors ranging from simple white or black to the more colorful rasta-inspired colors. Another option would be a nice Fulani straw hat. With the summer months coming soon, you might add one of these gorgeous and distinctive hats to your wardrobe. Not only are they beautiful, but they are practical for those hot afternoons when you need some shade.

African clothing is as diverse as the continent of Africa, and there is sure to be something that appeals to almost every taste. Check out the many unisex options and get your wardrobe amped up today. DEMO