60+ African wear styles for men, women, and kids: 2022 trends

60+ African wear styles for men, women, and kids: 2022 trends

The African fashion industry is quite diverse and is among the defining elements of the continent. African wear varies from one country to the other and includes brightly coloured materials, embroideries, and elegant accessories. Since the continent is quite big, the native outfits associated with each country vary greatly. There are numerous designs for men, women, and children.

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latest african wear designs for guys in 2022
A stylish man, child, and woman. Photo: @jide_ol, @ankaralooks, @ankara_mk (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

What is African wear? It is, essentially, a collection of outfits native to the African continent. In most countries on the continent, the outfits worn by children closely resemble those worn by adults.

The latest African wear in 2022

Here is a look at the trendiest African wear for ladies, gentlemen, and children.

African wear for couples

images of african attire dresses and skirts
Couples looking great. Photo: @african_ankara_styles_2022, @bespokebyglory, @ankaracouplestyles (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

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In several African countries, couples wear outfits made from the predominant materials in the said country's fashion industry. Some of the most common include Ankara, Dashiki, and Kitenge.

Ladies often tend to have clothes with more vibrant printed fabric than men. The options are almost limitless when it comes to what to wear as a couple. The man can have a plain shirt with a touch of printed fabric, and the lady can wear a skirt, dress, trousers, or jumpsuit made from printed fabric.

If you are wondering what to wear to an African wedding as a couple, consider a long, printed fabric gown for the lady and a formal piece of men's African wear such as senator trousers and shirt.

Women's dresses

African wear for ladies
Elegant dresses. Photo: @kifaharikouturekenya, @anikescouture, @naija_fashiondesigners, @peoplerockingnaija, @naija_fashiondesigners, @legit_african_designers (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Dresses are inarguably the outfits that stamped Africa's place in the modern-day fashion industry. This explains why a conversation about the continent's fashion is incomplete without mentioning elegant African dresses.

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Latest formal African wear for women

These outfits come in various designs, lengths, and colours, making it easy for anyone to find unique African dresses in 2022. Additionally, there are wide-ranging options for both formal and casual settings. For example, African party dresses often come in vibrant colours and patterns, while the formal ones tend to have a muted style.

One can choose to pair their dress with a plain blazer or coat for a more professional look. The above images of African attire dresses and skirts will help ease your decision.

Men's robes

latest african wear designs for guys in 2022
Men's robes. Photo: @confirm_men, @dejiandkola, @dechinisupreme, @afdaworld, @flexymen_vogue, @jossieclassic_wears, @doitcasual, @iamdoc_dele (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

In various African countries, men are known to wear free-flowing robes, often alongside native or the more conventional trousers. In West Africa, these gowns are known as Agbada. The name is derived from the Yoruba language and depicts a flowing wide-sleeved robe popular in Nigeria.

Today, the outfit has numerous variations and is a common sight in various parts of Africa. One can choose to have their robe made with matching trousers and a cap for an elegant and unmistakable African look. These robes are some of the most common elements of African wear for men in 2022.

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Men's trousers

what is African wear
Elegant men's trousers. Photo: @dannyrichy_empire, @ibcouture2, @ankaraexclusivemen, @ankara_depot (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

these trousers come in various styles, designs, fits, and patterns. Countries with hot climates tend to favour loose-fitting trousers, while those with colder climates have tighter-fitting ones. Men with a bold sense of fashion can go for three-quarter length trousers, while the more conservative ones can opt for typical length trousers. Native trousers can be paired up with printed fabric t-shirts, plain shirts, or the agbada robes.

Today, some of the fascinating Ankara designs for men are often expressed in trousers and shorts. The numerous possibilities make it possible for anyone to try out the latest African wear designs for guys in 2022.

Women's skirts

african wear styles for church
Women's printed fabric skirts. Photo: @undove8stamated, @jervclothings, @chichi.the.ankara.chic, @uncorked_and_uncensored, @cumolondon, @shop.doja (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Skirts are among the most common outfits when it comes to female fashion. There are countless stylish ways one can wear a printed fabric skirt. Depending on the occasion, you can almost never go wrong with the continent's hugely popular printed fabric skirt, be it maxi, mermaid, pencil, long, short, tight, loose, or midi design. Try out the free-flowing skirt if you are looking for the perfect African wear styles for church.

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Printed fabric skirts also present huge opportunities for women to experiment with various styles, colours, patterns, and designs, which explains why they have become an integral part of women's fashion.

Male children

latest African wear
Male children clothes. Photo: @akopomaakidscollection, @kafos.ng (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Male children typically wear 'smaller' versions of conventional African male clothing. This explains why one will often see the young boys wearing little Agbada, senator trousers, Ankara shorts and shirts, and pretty much everything else worn by African men.

Female children

african party dresses for ladies
Latest girls' outfits. Photo: @victorious_gift_signature, @akopomaakidscollection,@kafos.ng (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Young African girls are typically clothed in printed fabric dresses, trousers, skirts, shorts, and jumpsuits. Like their male counterparts, these outfits often mirror those worn by grownup women in society. The images of African wear for kids above can give one a better picture of the outfits.

Women's maternity gowns

images of african attire dresses and skirts
Stylish maternity gowns. Photo: @_goaldigga, @belikeabenaa, @afro.zentric, @_glamempress, @ytpshop, @rehtsecouture (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

In western countries, maternity gowns often constitute free-flowing robes with soft materials. The 'free-flowing' element is gradually changing, though, with more and more women embracing tight-fitting clothes during their pregnancy. The situation in African maternity gowns is not too different. These gowns are typically long, often covering one's body from the shoulders to the ankles. Still, these can vary greatly in the smaller design elements.

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African wear has come a long way since its inception numerous decades ago. While some countries have managed to maintain their original, native outfits, most have taken some elements of western dressing. Luckily, there are still a lot of the continent's touches in today's African outfits.

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Simon Ayub Simon Ayub is an adept content strategist and writer who generates content mainly focusing on the Facts and Life Hacks category. With over half a decade of creating relatable content for various brands, Simon has amassed sufficient knowledge to give every website a palpable spark – ample precedence for an ever-growing audience. Simon holds a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a Certified Public Accountant. He studied SEO tactics and analytics out of his love for writing.

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Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Yen.com.gh, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.