Dashiki is the African t-shirt with an ornate V-shaped collar. They range from casual to formal with an easy to wear look. While the more casual kind are usually cotton shirts with little or no embroidery, higher end dress shirts will often be made of a silk brocade. More formal African Dashikis can have intricate embroidery along the neck or collar and at the sleeve end.
While the common dashikis found in the US today are comfortable and cheap clothes, the dashiki has a long history that originated in West Africa and was originally a shirt covering the entire chest as well as in a much longer version called the grand boubou. Dashikis were loose fitting and light enough to offer protection for the sun and heat, very important with the West African climate!
The dashiki has made a huge breakthrough from Africa since the African American culture struggle of the 1960’s where it became a symbol of affirmation, it stood for black is beautiful, and signaled a return to African roots. Dashiki’s first started being made in Harlem around the summer of 1960 and now find a home all over the US.
Dashikis are worn in movies, mentioned in print, and worn by famous people all over the world. Wilt Chamberlain, Sammy Davis Jr., Stevie Wonder, even Washington DC mayor Marion Barry were known to make many press appearances in Dashikis. This dashiki is even worn in a very famous musical number in the Disney film Enchanted! Oh boy, see African attire wey don turn must wear. We go soon dey see am for Red Carpet shaaa
Dashikis are also often worn during modern Kwanzaa celebrations and become very popular each February for Black History Month when people become mindful of getting back in touch with their heritage.
Why do people love dashiki’s so much?
Dressing in African style is fun!
Dashikis are very comfortable, especially in warm weather because of their loose fit.
The size makes them an easy wear for anyone!
Whether you’re going for a vintage look, re-connecting with your heritage, or just staying cool and comfortable on a hot day, African print dashikis are a great choice! So in my candid opinion run yall and go get yours today.
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