Traditonal African Wear
Traditional African wear for women comes in a variety of styles and a surprising array of colours and prints. Colours vary from earth tones into vibrant colours such as indigos. Designs are from the flowing kaftan to the more traditional fitted African Queen outfits.
Today the designs have been adapted for modern life but have retained the characteristics that have made traditional African wear for women unique
Kaftans
The traditional African Kaftan or Boubou as originally worn by the West African men has a female version. African traditional wear for woman has developed and passed down from ancient Egypt. Cleopatra Queen of Egypt was famous for her silk kaftans embellished with prints, embroidery, small mirrors and amulets. Today the traditional African influence in woman's wear continues with a modern touch.Fabrics are more commercial but the styling, design, colours and symbols used in the prints are as important now as they were in ancient Africa. Bringing power, love and protection to the wearer the traditional African woman chooses her designs with a purpose
To buy the Travellers Kaftan GO HERE
Lapa
The true African tribal Queen, this traditional 
Traditional African wear for women is favoured in modern fashion wear. The fuller figure and proudly voluptuous character of the true African Queen has carried this flamboyant styling and designs through to modern times.
These African queens were thought to have magical powers such as the ability to summon rain. Originally the queen from the Lovedu tribe in South Africa was a rain queen.
To buy Lapa designs GO HERE
Traditional African wear for women is favoured in modern fashion wear. The fuller figure and proudly voluptuous character of the true African Queen has carried this flamboyant styling and designs through to modern times.
These African queens were thought to have magical powers such as the ability to summon rain. Originally the queen from the Lovedu tribe in South Africa was a rain queen.
To buy Lapa designs GO HERE
Tie Dye
The tie dyeing technique has been used for traditional African wear for women for thousands of years. The Tauregs ( blue people of the desert) favoured using the indigo plant for dying and the method of tie dyeing spread through Africa for traditional African women's wear.The mystical patterns, symbols and designs are worn with meaning and for fertility. This technique was probably the inspiration for hippie fashion wear and is still popular amongst the younger generation of the 21st century.
To buy Tie Dye Kaftans GO HERE
Royal African Queen
Royal traditional African wear for women:Modern royal queens and traditional African women's wear is more stylish yet has a unique look with the ruffled sleeves and flounced bodice this styling could have been influenced by the South African 'Voer trekkers' or white people that made their way up through Africa in ox wagons bringing with them a western influence.
The colours are traditional African women's wear
colours and are trimmed with elegant braids.
To buy Royal African Queen designs GO HERE
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"Traditional African Wear for Women " by judywitt copyright 2007, all rights reserved.
