Have you fallen in love with African wax print fabrics and the style of clothing made with them? Perhaps you want to buy a cute item, but you’re overwhelmed by the variety of options online and don’t know where to start? I don’t understand. Or maybe you’re wondering about cultural appropriation and how it affects how you are seen and perceived in African attire. Well, you’ve come to the right place for answers. This is a beginner’s guide to wearing African wax print clothing. Getting introduced to and familiarizing yourself with the world of printmaking, unraveling concerns about appropriating and appreciating different African cultures, and discovering yourself in the great styles you see others wearing and have come to admire. Discuss where and how to display them.
African clothing is as diverse as the continent itself, with each region having a different culture and its symbolic dress code, all with important meanings attached to them. For this reason, African fashion is difficult to describe. However, there are some common similarities and characteristics, and that is the idea that African traditional and even modern modern clothing is characterized by bright prints and bold patterns. These colorful wax print fabrics made in different styles may be a widely known and distinct part of African fashion. That’s all well and good, but keep in mind that fashion and culture are powerful tools for individuality and self-expression and are not limited to just these portrayals. Popular African clothing styles include the kaftan, dashiki, bubou, and agbada, each with its own unique style, silhouette, and fabric.
African print is actually a Dutch wax print fabric that is 100% cotton and has no stretch.
They are also known as African prints, Ankara or Kitenge and trace their roots back to Indonesian batik, but were adapted by the Dutch and adopted for the African market. I already wrote a whole article about History and origins of African printsprovides more context. Easy to read and get complete knowledge on this topic. While reading, it is important to note that these fabrics are made of cotton and therefore do not stretch. Please keep this in mind when ordering dresses and other clothing. We recommend getting exact measurements and cross-referencing with the brand’s size chart.
It is not cultural appropriation for non-black people to celebrate or wear African fashion
I believe that in most situations, it is not cultural appropriation for non-Black people to celebrate or wear African prints in fashion. To further explain my point of view, I wrote the following Another article demystifying cultural appropriationHere, we have analyzed its meaning and included examples of whether it is okay to wear African print clothing. If you want to own and wear African costumes but are dealing with this issue, you should also read this article that I have highlighted for better understanding. Basically, I said, “If you wear it respectfully, with permission, and don’t abuse the fashion or product manufacturer in the process, there’s no risk of plagiarism.”
Don’t like bright colors? You can also choose a more subdued and simple color combination.
Sure, this may seem difficult, but it’s entirely possible. If you are a simple person and a minimalist who does not like adding too many elements to your clothes at once, you can choose clothes made from printed fabrics in only two or three colors. Choose black and white or earth tones like brown or beige. You can also include small text instead of very large and bold text. Of course, African prints are very maximalist in nature, so you should search with more intentionality and care.
African Fashion Styling Tips for Beginners: Start with less is more and gradually work your way up.
African wax print clothing is versatile and easy to style. The best thing you can do here is to start with less by adding small patterned items and gradually incorporate more as your comfort level increases. Focus on the print itself. There is no problem in combining printed clothes with other items, but be sure to keep the balance in mind when wearing them. Putting the print front and center also means making sure other garments don’t compete with the print. Wear a printed top with a neutral skirt or vice versa, or a printed skirt with a neutral top. When wearing an all-print outfit from head to toe, keep your accessories to a minimum. In certain situations, you can ignore the less-is-more guideline and strike a balance by wearing print on print, creating a clash that is inherently stylish in its own right.
Before purchasing African print clothing, check the washing instructions and precautions.
There are also some common Guidelines for washing and caring for African prints. Check out the details about this outlined in the highlighted and linked article. First of all, it is a good idea to check what kind of fabric the garment is made of. It must be 100% cotton, strong in color, and washable. High-quality fabrics cut your care efforts in half. For example, you can wash it in the washing machine without any problems. Fortunately, many brands that make these fabrics take care to ensure that the dyes used in their fabrics do not run off. To be safe, don’t wash colorfully printed clothing with white clothing. Please be sure to wash with similar colors. If you’re concerned, you can always hand wash them separately.
Where to buy African wax print clothing online
there are many Where to buy African print clothes. From online independent brands to Etsy Marketplace. You can also purchase fabric and take it to your local seamstress to create a custom costume using your imaginative ideas. Whichever you choose, be sure to do your research on the brand you’re buying. During your research, ask and get answers to questions such as where is the brand located? If abroad, do I have to pay customs duties or other fees on shipped items? What is their return and exchange policy? Do they have a consistent online and social media presence? Designer What information will be shared about the company and the brand owner? These are just a few questions. Create your own research to get thorough and useful information.
Do you consider yourself a novice or an expert when it comes to wearing African prints and how do you style them?
Source: Jamila Kyari Co. – jamilakyari.com
