I don't
think there is a known phobia for African print fabric but some people in one
way or the other are afraid to wear them. Others wear them alright but not in a very flattering way. There are so many types of prints
(stripped, polka dots, floral, Aztec etc) but African prints (also known as Ankara) are one of the
most wildly coloured and vibrant. From the traditional kente to the printed
java to real wax print they usual have a lot going on. The good news is they
don't bite! They also make for a really daring outfit when worn well. These are some
general do's and don't for the lovely prints.
l Head to toe
This is one
of the worst ways to wear African prints. Don't get carried away and wear a
printed dress, printed shoes, bag, bangles and earrings all in one outfit. This is completely
over doing it. I must say for artistic purposes this works like magic but for everyday life it's not so cool.
l Mix prints
accessories with solids
One of the
best ways to wear print is to combine it with solids. An example is
wearing a plain black dress with a clutch and bangles made from African print.
The print will stand out and make for a pretty outfit. Keep the accessories few so they serve as a accent to the whole outfit.
l One bold
item
Another
fierce way of wearing African prints is to wear it in one item of clothing.
Just one and no more. A dress, a pair of shorts or a jacket will do just fine.
Just throw it on and you are good to go. It's a nice way to make a statement.
l Easy
colours
Not all African print fabrics are brightly-coloured. Quite a
number come in greys, blacks, blues and browns. The dark blue and pale
blue-coloured prints (white cloth) make for a really pretty toned down
look. These are pretty easy to wear.
l Combinations
Let's say you have an adorable print skirt and want a top to
wear with it. One interesting way to wear it is to pick a plain top with one of
the colours in the print. A nice white tank top will work magic with a green,
yellow and white African print skirt.
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