Detailed patterns, strong colors, elegant garments and high-quality handmade fabrics: African fashion is currently on the rise when it comes to creative design. Numerous fashion labels that come from the continent of contrasts showed how much creativity there is in their clothing during fashion weeks. African designers made a splash with their outfits that paired traditional motifs with a modern look. Street style fashion in New York is currently heavily influenced by the ethnic trend; influencers and bloggers have long recognized this and like to wear dashikis and kitenges. We give you tips on how you can style an ethnic outfit with an African look.
African fashion: anything but conventional
In Africa, women dress particularly colorfully and combine elaborate prints with great attention to detail. Not only natural motifs are popular, but also geometric patterns. Letters and numbers also often decorate clothing. TheMotives provide informationregarding the person: For example, belonging to a certain social class can be seen from the items of clothing.
Skillfully combine colors and patterns
When it comes to colors, strong nuances set the tone: orange, yellow, blue and green are boldly combined with purple, red and pink. The end result is colorful clothing that is popular in Europe and the USA, especially in summer.
The designers from the continent reinterpret traditional clothing and skilfully combine the eye-catching prints with each other according to the mix-and-match trend. Flowers, leaves and the like can create real styling miracles as a break in style from geometric motifs. The natural motifs never go out of fashion in Africa, but surprise every season with newly interpreted shapes and color combinations.
Airy dresses with modern cuts
Tradition is very important in Africa. The clothing of contemporary African designers impresses with a targeted, elegant understatement. The dresses are loose, airy and look very modern. Casual fits and wafer-thin fabrics promise maximum comfort in summer. Asymmetrical cuts with one free shoulder are particularly popular, giving the outfit sophistication. Even completely off-the-shoulder dresses with a sweetheart neckline look very feminine and can be worn until the end of summer. On cool evenings they can be styled with a denim or leather jacket and ankle boots for a cool look.
Maxi skirts in the spotlight
The maxi skirts swing and flow, subtly emphasize the feminine curves and seem suitable for everyday use and exotic at the same time. Skirts and trousers can be paired with a tone-on-tone top, but they also form an attractive ensemble with tops in a plain color. Jewelry made of wood, beads and metal effectively completes the outfit. Most fashion houses from Africa offer their own lines of accessories, most of which are handmade.
Tops with asymmetrical cuts
The colorful tops with asymmetrical cuts can be styled perfectly with jeans. Make a fashion statement on the street with a high-waisted skirt. Pumps in an accent color are usually worn with this.
Expressive yet charming
Many designers rely on a stylish mix: the summer dress with a figure-hugging haute couturé silhouette still looks suitable for everyday use thanks to the colorful prints. African evening fashion is so charming and imaginative and is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Tone-on-tone two-piece suit for hot summer days
Tone-on-tone two-piece suits with crop tops are hugely popular in 2019. An all-over print is guaranteed to attract attention and is perfect for real trendsetters. Subtle details such as ruffles and ruffles add accents and make the outfit appear particularly girly and playful.
African fashion for men: skillfully showcasing prints
African men's fashion is also colorful, eye-catching and creative. Men wear strong colors such as red, sky blue or signal yellow and boldly combine motifs that don't go together at first glance. Stripes, checks, floral motifs, spirals and intricate geometric shapes create an eclectic patchwork that automatically attracts attention.
If the patchwork is too much for you, you can opt for a suit with stripes in neon colors and wear it with a shirt with a polo collar or a sweater. Of course, sneakers or sneakers go well with this.
Although sweaters are rarely worn in Africa, they are worn in the USA. It was there that the typical African motifs were transferred to knitwear for the first time. There are numerous designs on offer in New York at the moment.
Who said African fashion wasn't suitable for everyday life? You just need a little creativity to create oneexotic-looking ensembleto put together. A top in a pastel color, trousers with a large print in an accent color and you are well prepared for the warm summer days in the city.
Maxi dresses can also look exotic when paired with the right jewelry. Do you have an indigo dress in your closet? This color is one of the most popular in Africa and is often found in clothing.
Colorful is the keyword for every fashionista in this oneSummer: yellow, orange and red form an attractive ensemble and make us dream of the exotic desert landscapes of Africa.
It's all about the accessories: Many women in African countries like to wear headscarves. They are not associated with a specific religion, but are simply a popular accessory that also protects the head from the strong rays of the sun.
In the photo series below you will find further examples of effective styling in an African look. Get inspired!
