Why No Closet Is Complete Without An African Print Dress

Over the past few years, African textiles have made a massive impression in the global fashion industry. Mainstream fashion designers are now incorporating African fabrics in their clothes and charging hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of pounds for them. Other designers are picking up on the same and creating beautiful African dresses for the modern woman. These dresses represent passion, vibrancy, and elegance and help add personality to a wardrobe.

How to choose the perfect African dress for you

African print dresses come in a variety of styles from figure-hugging mini dresses to formal evening gowns. When picking out a dress, here are a few things you should consider.

Choose a style that most flatters your body shape

Ensure that the dress fits your body perfectly; it shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. If you have an hourglass body, dresses with v-necklines, open necklines and clinched-in waistlines will be most flattering. Wrap dresses with belted waists are also very flattering on the hourglass figure. Sika’a’s femme essence evening dress is an excellent option for the curvier woman. It has a deep V neck, long bell sleeves and a wrap that can be adjusted to your desired style. For women with an athletic body shape, dresses with volume increasing details such as ruffles and embellishments will help balance your upper body while filling your hips slightly.

Pay attention to the fabric of the dress and its pattern

African fabrics vary in pattern and texture depending on where they are sourced from. For example, fabrics from Ivory Coast have a distinct contemporary look with a slightly softer colour, while Mali and Mauritius are famous for their tie-dye fabrics which are inked beautifully. When choosing a dress, opt for comfortable materials with colours that compliment your skin tone.

Occasion

There are different African dress styles for every occasion. If you are looking for the perfect work outfit an African midi dress with pussy-bow collars is perfect. For this category, we recommend the Makenene poppies-print stand collar crepe de chine midi dress. It is made of 100% silk, making it comfortable to wear in all kinds of weather. Another great option for the office is the Sika’a Mita shirt dress. It features a smart collar neckline with front buttons, long sleeves and a waist tie that can be fastened at the back or front.

An African mini dress or African flared dress is most suitable for casual and semi-formal events. These kinds of styles offer versatility because you can dress them up or down by simply changing your shoes and accessories. A good example is Sika’a’s Makenene poppies-print stand collar crepe de chine midi dress. It features a high collar, puffy long sleeves and a fitted waistband that gives way to a billowing skirt. Its fabric is made from 100% silk, making it wearable in the summer.

Season

Your wardrobe isn’t complete without a summer maxi dress. Instead of buying the same old plain dresses, consider getting an African maxi dress to spice up your summer wardrobe. Sika’a has a wide variety of maxi dresses suitable for all occasions, including weddings, formal events, etc. Sika’a’s signature silk-satin halterneck gown is the perfect African gown for all occasions. It is designed to glide across your curves and the asymmetrical one-shoulder design features a necktie that drapes down the back accentuating all aspects of your beauty.

How to style African dresses

The best way to look smart in an African print dress is to either wear heels or smart flats. Because these dresses come in vibrant colours and patterns, keep it simple and minimal in the jewellery department. Simple stud earrings and a simple solid colour handbag will suffice. For a more casual look pair your African maxi dress with sandals, sunglasses and a pair of hoops. Alternatively, you can pair your midi dress with crisp tennis sneakers, a crossbody bag, and sunglasses to add an urban edge to your outfit.