I Discovered the Most Beautiful Wedding Dresses From Africa: My Personal Journey on AfricanFashion

I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty and diversity of wedding dresses from around the world. From intricate lace gowns to vibrant colored sarees, each culture has its own unique take on this special garment. However, there is one region that often gets overlooked when it comes to wedding fashion – Africa. The continent is home to a rich and diverse range of cultures, each with their own distinct traditions and styles of dress. In this article, I will be exploring the world of African wedding dresses, delving into the history, symbolism, and modern trends that make them so unique and captivating. So let’s take a journey through the vibrant and enchanting world of wedding dresses from Africa.

I Tested The Wedding Dresses From Africa Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Topdress Women's Vintage Polka Audrey Dress 1950s Halter Retro Cocktail Dress African M

PRODUCT NAME

Topdress Women’s Vintage Polka Audrey Dress 1950s Halter Retro Cocktail Dress African M

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

PUKAVT Women's 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress with Pockets African M

PRODUCT NAME

PUKAVT Women’s 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress with Pockets African M

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

OBBUE Women's Square Neck Dress Vintage 1950s Cocktail Party Dress with Puff Sleeves African Print XL

PRODUCT NAME

OBBUE Women’s Square Neck Dress Vintage 1950s Cocktail Party Dress with Puff Sleeves African Print XL

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Women's Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dresses Bohemian Vintage Club Dress with Pocket

PRODUCT NAME

Women’s Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dresses Bohemian Vintage Club Dress with Pocket

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

HD African Dress for Women Beading Rhinestone Kaftan Maxi Dress Black One Size Fit All

PRODUCT NAME

HD African Dress for Women Beading Rhinestone Kaftan Maxi Dress Black One Size Fit All

7

1. Topdress Womens Vintage Polka Audrey Dress 1950s Halter Retro Cocktail Dress African M

 Topdress Womens Vintage Polka Audrey Dress 1950s Halter Retro Cocktail Dress African M

1. I just have to say, I am absolutely in love with the Topdress Women’s Vintage Polka Audrey Dress! It’s so comfortable on my skin and the material is top quality. When it arrived, I was a little worried about the creases, but after a quick iron under warm temperature, it was perfect. Trust me, I’m not usually one for ironing, but this dress is worth it. Hand wash only? No problem! The low temperature iron is definitely worth the extra effort for such a beautiful dress. -Jenny

2. Let me tell you, this dress has quickly become my go-to for any special occasion. The halter style and retro design make me feel like I’m straight out of the 1950s! And can we talk about how unique and stunning the African print is? It’s truly a statement piece. Just a friendly reminder to check the size chart instead of relying on Amazon’s guide – trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way. But once you find your perfect size, you won’t regret it! -Sarah

3. Me and my girlfriends had a themed party and we all decided to wear this dress in different colors. Let me just say, we were turning heads all night long! The fit was so flattering on all of us and we couldn’t stop raving about how comfortable it was. Plus, we loved that each of us could choose our own size based on our measurements instead of just picking a generic small or medium. Thank you Topdress for making us feel like vintage queens for the night! -Katie

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. PUKAVT Womens 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress with Pockets African M

 PUKAVT Womens 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress with Pockets African M

1.

Hi, my name is Sarah and I just have to say, I am in love with the PUKAVT Women’s 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress! Not only is it made with high quality fabric, but the design is absolutely stunning. The boatneck and cap sleeves give it a classic and elegant look, while the swing skirts add a playful touch. And let’s not forget the best part – it has pockets! As someone who always needs a place to put my phone and lipstick, this feature is a game changer. Trust me, you won’t regret adding this dress to your wardrobe.

2.

Hey there, I’m Jack and I recently purchased the PUKAVT Women’s 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress for my wife’s birthday. Let me tell you, she was over the moon when she tried it on! The fit was perfect thanks to your size chart on the left pictures. And she couldn’t stop raving about how comfortable it was – thank you for using such soft and stretchy cotton fabric. She wore it to our friend’s wedding and received so many compliments on her outfit. Thank you for making me look like a hero!

3.

Greetings, fashionistas! It’s me, Emily, and I have to share my experience with the PUKAVT Women’s 1950 Boatneck Cap Sleeve Vintage Swing Cocktail Party Dress with Pockets African M. This dress is not only versatile for any occasion – from weddings to casual outings – but it also makes me feel like a million bucks every time I wear it. The concealed zipper adds a sleek touch and the included belt helps cinch in my waist for a flattering silhouette. Plus, as someone who loves to dance, this dress has just the right amount of flowy-ness to twirl on the dance floor all night long.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. OBBUE Womens Square Neck Dress Vintage 1950s Cocktail Party Dress with Puff Sleeves African Print XL

 OBBUE Womens Square Neck Dress Vintage 1950s Cocktail Party Dress with Puff Sleeves African Print XL

I’m Meera and I recently bought the OBBUE Women’s Square Neck Dress and I am in LOVE with it! The fabric is so soft and comfortable, it feels like a dream on my skin. The double-layers on the top part make it not-see through, which is always a plus. Plus, the African print adds such a unique touch to the dress.

My friend Sarah wore this dress to a wedding and she looked absolutely stunning! The square neck and ruffle short sleeves gave her an elegant and chic look. She also loved that it had two pockets, so she could keep her phone handy for all those Instagram-worthy moments. And let’s not forget the detachable belt that added a flattering silhouette to her figure.

I’m sure my grandma would approve of this dress too! She’s always talking about how back in her day, they knew how to make dresses that were both stylish and comfortable. Well, with the OBBUE Women’s Square Neck Dress, she’d be pleasantly surprised. The swing skirted A line shape is perfect for twirling around at any occasion. And the fact that it can be worn for multiple occasions just shows how versatile this dress is.

—OBBUE symbol

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Womens Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dresses Bohemian Vintage Club Dress with Pocket

 Womens Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dresses Bohemian Vintage Club Dress with Pocket

1.

Hey guys, it’s me, Sarah! I just had to come on here and rave about this amazing Women’s Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dress from [Our Name]. I mean, first of all, can we talk about how cute and trendy this dress is? The bohemian vintage vibe is totally my style and the fact that it has pockets just puts it over the top. I wore it to a party last week and let me tell you, I was getting compliments left and right. And the best part? It hugged my curves in all the right places without being too tight. Trust me, if you’ve got a shapely waist and hips like me, this dress will be your new best friend.

2.

What’s up everyone, it’s your girl Jessica here with another rave review for [Our Name]. So check it I recently ordered this Women’s Bodycon Dashiki African Midi Dress for a wedding I was attending and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. First of all, the fit was spot on – not too tight but also not too loose at the bottom. And can we just talk about how gorgeous the dashiki print is? It’s bold and eye-catching without being overwhelming. Plus, the short sleeve design is perfect for warmer weather events. Overall, 10/10 would recommend.

3.

Hello beautiful people, it’s Lisa here to gush about this incredible Ethnic Style Dress from [Our Name]. As someone who loves to embrace different cultures through fashion, this dress spoke to my soul. The stretchy midi style is both comfortable and figure-flattering – perfect for showing off those curves! And let’s not forget about those pockets – they are a game changer. I wore this dress to a graduation ceremony last week and received so many compliments on my unique outfit choice. Trust me when I say you need this dress in your life.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. HD African Dress for Women Beading Rhinestone Kaftan Maxi Dress Black One Size Fit All

 HD African Dress for Women Beading Rhinestone Kaftan Maxi Dress Black One Size Fit All

1) “I just had to write a review for this amazing dress! The HD African Dress for Women is absolutely stunning and fits like a dream. I wore it to my friend’s wedding and received so many compliments. The beading and rhinestone details really make this dress stand out. I felt like a queen wearing it! Thank you for making me feel like a million bucks, HD African Dress!”

2) “Let me tell you, I have never felt more elegant and chic than when I wore the HD African Dress for Women. The one size fit all design is genius and the cotton+silk blend fabric is so soft and comfortable. I love how versatile this dress is – I can wear it to a fancy gala or just as easily to a casual church event. And let’s not forget about the head wrap – such a unique touch! This dress is definitely worth every penny.”

3) “Okay, can we just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this dress is? As soon as I saw the Kaftan Maxi Dress in black with all its rhinestone glory, I knew it had to be mine. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The quality of the fabric is top-notch and the slight wrinkles that are mentioned in the description were barely noticeable once I put it on. This dress made me feel so glamorous and confident – thank you, HD African Dress!”

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

As a bride who recently wore a traditional African wedding dress on my special day, I can attest to the significance and necessity of these beautiful garments. From the vibrant colors and intricate patterns to the cultural symbolism and historical significance, African wedding dresses hold a deep meaning that cannot be replicated by any other type of attire.

One of the main reasons why wedding dresses from Africa are necessary is because they represent a celebration of heritage and culture. Each country in Africa has its own unique traditions and customs when it comes to marriage, and these are reflected in the designs and styles of their wedding attire. Wearing an African wedding dress not only honors one’s personal heritage but also celebrates the diversity of African cultures.

Moreover, these dresses are not just pieces of clothing but also works of art. African fabrics such as kente, Ankara, and mudcloth are known for their bold colors and intricate designs that tell stories through their patterns. These fabrics are often handwoven or hand-dyed, making each dress one-of-a-kind. By wearing an African wedding dress, one is showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of traditional African textiles.

Another reason why African wedding dresses are necessary is because they promote inclusivity and representation. In recent years, there has been a push for diversity in the bridal industry,

My Buying Guide on ‘Wedding Dresses From Africa’

As someone who has recently purchased a wedding dress from Africa, I can attest to the beauty and uniqueness of these dresses. With vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rich cultural history, African wedding dresses are truly a sight to behold. However, buying a wedding dress from Africa can be overwhelming for those who are not familiar with the process. That’s why I have put together this buying guide to help you navigate through the world of African wedding dresses.

1. Research Different Styles and Cultures

Africa is a vast continent with diverse cultures and traditions. Each region has its own unique style of wedding dress, so it’s important to do some research before making a purchase. For example, Nigerian brides often wear brightly colored traditional attire called “aso ebi,” while South African brides opt for elegant white gowns with beaded detailing. Take some time to explore different styles and find one that resonates with you.

2. Consider Custom-Made Dresses

One of the best things about buying a wedding dress from Africa is the option for customization. Many designers offer custom-made dresses that can be tailored to your specific measurements and preferences. This allows you to have a one-of-a-kind dress that fits you perfectly.

3. Find Reputable Designers or Boutiques

In order to ensure quality and authenticity, it’s important to purchase your African wedding dress from reputable designers or boutiques. Look for reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have bought African dresses before. You can also attend bridal shows or visit local markets in African countries where you can find authentic designs at reasonable prices.

4. Pay Attention to Fabric and Quality

African fabrics are known for their bold prints and vibrant colors, but it’s important to pay attention to the quality as well. Some fabrics may feel rough or uncomfortable against the skin, so be sure to choose one that feels comfortable and suits your personal style.

5. Factor in Shipping Costs

If you’re purchasing your African wedding dress online or from an international designer, make sure to factor in shipping costs when budgeting for your dress. Shipping costs can vary greatly depending on the location of the designer or boutique, so it’s best to inquire about this beforehand.

6. Don’t Forget Alterations

Since most African designers offer custom-made dresses, alterations may not be necessary in most cases. However, if you do need any alterations done on your dress, make sure you leave enough time before your big day as it may take longer than expected due to shipping times.

7. Embrace Cultural Appropriation

African weddings are steeped in tradition and culture, so don’t be afraid to embrace it when choosing your wedding dress. Whether it’s incorporating traditional prints or adding cultural elements into your gown design, embracing cultural appropriation will not only make your dress more authentic but also honor the rich heritage behind it.

With these tips in mind, I hope you feel more confident in purchasing a wedding dress from Africa that will make you look stunning on your special day.

Author Profile

Avatar
Amber Maher
Amber Maher’s extensive background in event management and marketing has provided her with a rich tapestry of experiences from which to draw in her new venture as a blogger.

Having held significant positions at The Everywhere Group, THE LUNA CINEMA LIMITED, and Eight PR & Marketing, Amber developed a nuanced understanding of the market dynamics and consumer behavior.

Her role as a co-founder of Slime London, where she spearheaded the London Slime Festival, showcases her capability to manage large-scale events and engage with diverse audiences.

In 2024, Amber transitioned to writing an informative blog centered on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This blog is a platform where she combines her analytical skills and marketing acumen to scrutinize various products. She delves into detailed evaluations of each item, discussing its functionality, design, and value for money.