A lot of people dress in a way that doesn’t speak to the African American culture. They are missing out on an opportunity for self-expression. Afrocentric fashion is about embracing your heritage, your roots, and who you are as an individual. It allows you to share with others what makes you beautiful and unique. You can also connect with other Black people who may feel disconnected from their background or own culture because they don’t know how to express themselves through clothing as some do through music, dance, or art. This article will help guide those looking for advice on how to dress Afrocentric so they can start expressing themselves more authentically today.
1. What is Afrocentric Fashion?
Afrocentric fashion is a style that combines parts of the African continent’s traditional clothing, colors, and designs with other styles. More modern styles are found on Melaninful with different collections to choose from. It was first made popular in the late 1960s but has been considered a staple of Black culture since Garvey first launched his Pan-African movement in 1918. It’s important to have a culture that represents who you are as a person. Without it, your peers may begin to think of you as someone who’s lost touch with themselves or their heritage because they don’t understand the importance of expressing yourself authentically.
2. How to Dress Afrocentric: The Dressing Process
When dressing Afrocentric, the first step is to decide which style you want and what colors will represent your African roots best. You can find this information by searching on Google or Pinterest the style and color you’re interested in. If you don’t want to spend money online, you can always search your local thrift stores as well as used clothing shops (just be sure to wash anything before wearing it).
After you have decided on a style, it’s time to begin accessing your wardrobe. This means going through all your clothes and deciding which will help you achieve the look you want. If you’re going for a specific Dashiki look, you may have an old pair of pants or shirt that would work for the article you’re making, or if your closet is lacking, it may mean purchasing a new piece to complete your look.
When deciding which color looks best on you, take into consideration what body type you have and how each color will compliment that. If you’re not sure of your body type or would like help figuring out which color will look best, feel free to ask a trusted friend or family member. It also helps to think about what colors make you happy or reflect your personality in some way.
3. Examples of Afrocentric Fashion and Styles
Dashiki
Afrocentric Dashikis typically feature a large, colorful cloth that covers the top and front of the body. It’s sometimes decorated with African patterns or designs. It usually comes in long styles for men and short styles for women, but it also comes in all different colors and fabrics. There are a few ways to wear a Dashiki. You can wear the top portion as a scarf around your neck or on your shoulders, or you can wrap it around yourself like a dress.
Kente
Kente is a type of silk and cotton fabric that’s very durable, so you can wear it in many different ways throughout your entire day. It also tends to come in small squares with bold, vibrant colors, making it perfect for Afrocentric fashion. If you’re interested in trying the Dashiki style, it may help to find one with kente print fabric or at least with rectangular patterns.
Ankara Print Fabric
Ankara is a type of cotton fabric that comes in bright colors or subtle hues. It’s very durable and can be used for many different types of clothing, including skirts, pants, shirts, dresses, etc. Afrocentric Ankara print fabric can also come with bold patterns to represent the traditional African spirit that it represents. It’s best to wear something made of this fabric with a confident attitude because it will show through during your presentation.
Ethnic Hats
It’s also important to consider headwear when dressing in Afrocentric fashion. This includes traditional hats like the Akubra or Kente hats, among others. It’s important to not only look for these in your local shops but also online or even on Pinterest.
Cultural Jewelry
It can vary from necklace pieces made with coins and beads to bracelets with cloth bands, to rings featuring bold stone colors. Some examples of these include African coins, Kente fabric handbags, anklets made with beads or beading wire, and spiral bead bracelets.
4. The Importance of Self-Expression in Clothing
When dressing in Afrocentric fashion, it’s essential to remember that the most important part of this style of clothing is self-expression. How do you want to come across in a professional setting? What personality traits or interests do you want others to see? What colors make you feel more confident or true to yourself? When picking clothes, always keep these questions in mind because your clothing will help people get a sense of who you really are.
There are many different styles, colors, and patterns that people can wear in order to dress Afrocentric. It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way of dressing Afrocentric; it just comes down to what the person wearing it feels comfortable with and how they want their clothing to represent them.
