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African Fashion Plus Size: The Ultimate Guide to Stylish Plus Size African Clothing
Women of all sizes, including plus size women, desire to beautifully express their personality through their clothing; however, oftentimes, the plus size options available are lacking.
A gorgeous Ankara dress may exist, for example, but the largest size may not be large enough. Sometimes, a seller may provide measurements, but may not explain how the fabric will fit around the bust, waist, hips or arms.
Fortunately, this is beginning to change. More options for plus size African fashion are becoming available.
Women can now find an expanded selection of plus size Ankara dresses and gowns; as well as other styles such as: kaftans, two-piece outfits, skirts, tops, jumpsuits, and custom-made African clothing.
Regardless of whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else, or wanting to open a boutique or find wholesale African clothing, this guide will be of great assistance.
African Fashion Plus Size
Like Western clothing, African fashion can be designed with the plus size consumer in mind.
When designing clothing, an artist has to consider a variety of factors like fabric, the design itself, the print and how it will compliment the figure it will be covering.
Ankara print fabric is bold, so designers must consider how the print will compliment the figure it is being placed on.
For example, a skilled designer might use:
Strategic waist shaping
A-line silhouettes
V-necklines
Empire waists
Peplum designs
Wide-leg trousers
Flared skirts
Structured shoulders
Comfortable sleeves
Adjustable waistlines
Side slits
Wrap designs
These details can make a huge difference.
Popular African fashion styles for plus size women
There isn't one "correct" style for a plus size woman.
The best outfit is the one that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
That said, some African-inspired silhouettes are particularly versatile.
Plus size Ankara dresses
Ankara dresses are probably one of the easiest places to start.
You can choose from:
Maxi dresses
Midi dresses
Wrap dresses
Shift dresses
Fit-and-flare dresses
A-line dresses
Peplum dresses
Off-shoulder dresses
Shirt dresses
Kaftan-style dresses
The key is choosing the right cut for your body rather than focusing solely on the size printed on the label.
Plus size African gowns
For weddings, church services and formal occasions, an African gown can be an excellent choice.
Lace, Ankara, brocade, velvet, chiffon and embellished fabrics can all be used to create elegant plus size occasionwear.
A well-tailored gown can be much more flattering than an oversized garment designed simply to hide the body.
Plus size boubou dresses
The boubou is another excellent option.
Its loose, flowing silhouette makes it naturally comfortable while still looking elegant.
You can dress it up with:
Statement earrings
Beaded necklaces
A gele
Heels
A clutch
Embellished sandals
For women who prioritize comfort, this is one of the easiest African outfits to wear.
Plus size Ankara two-piece outfits
Two-piece outfits are becoming increasingly popular because they're versatile.
You might have:
Ankara top + trousers
Peplum top + skirt
Blouse + wide-leg pants
Crop jacket + maxi skirt
You can also wear the pieces separately, giving you more outfits from one purchase.
African Fashion Plus Size Online
It is much more convenient to purchase African plus size fashion online, but shopping for African plus size fashion online may require some work. The biggest mistake is assuming that each store uses the same size chart.
For example, a 2XL at one store may fit significantly differently than a 2XL at another.
The better option would be to look at the measurement chart.
What to look at before purchasing plus size African clothes online
1. Bust Measurement
This is really important for fitted African dresses. You want to make sure that your measurement matches with the measurement chart.
2. Waist Measurement
This is really important for loose and baggy dresses and trousers. Check the chart to make sure that the measurement is not too small.
3. Hip Measurement
This matters especially for pencil skirts, fitted gowns, trousers and jumpsuits.
4. Arm Circumference
This is really important for fitted sleeves.
5. Garment Length
This is really important for people that are really tall or really short.
6. Stretch of Fabric
Some African fabrics don’t stretch.
7. Return and Exchange Policy
You always want to see what their return policy is and make sure that you are okay with the policy prior to placing an order.
This is really important if you are buying something on sale or if the clothes are made to order.
Where Can I Find Plus Size Fashion in Canada?
If you're searching for plus size fashion in Canada, you have several options.
You can shop from mainstream Canadian retailers, independent plus size designers, online boutiques and African fashion businesses that ship within Canada.
For African fashion specifically, Toronto is one of the strongest places to start.
The city has a large African and Caribbean fashion community, including boutiques, textile shops, independent designers and online businesses.
Try Canadian online stores
Online shopping gives you access to more styles without having to live close to a physical African fashion boutique.
Look specifically for Canadian-based sellers if you want simpler domestic shipping and returns.
Consider custom African clothing
If you're attending a wedding or traditional ceremony, custom clothing can be worth considering.
You provide your measurements, choose a design and have the outfit made specifically for you.
This can be especially helpful if you have difficulty finding ready-to-wear plus size African clothing that fits properly.
Why Custom African Fashion Can Be Excellent for Plus Size Women
A tailoring culture is perhaps the strongest element of African fashion.
You have more control when you work with a tailor/designer.
You can control:
- Sleeve length
- Dress length
- Neckline
- Waist position
- Bust allowance
- Hip room
- Skirt volume
- Fabric
- Embellishments
- Overall silhouette
You can take more control of your wardrobe.
Not all outfits are created to hide you. They can be tailored to fit you!
Where can I find Wholesale African Clothing?
If you want to buy Wholesale African Clothing, you must figure out what you want to sell.
Do you want to sell:
- Finished clothes
- African fabrics
- Ankara dresses
- Children's clothes
- Traditional wears
- Accessories
- Etc
All these have different Wholesale markets.
Wholesale African Clothing Suppliers
If you want to buy Wholesale African clothing for your boutique, find suppliers that give specific info about:
- Minimum order quantity (MOQ)
- Wholesale prices
- Sizes
- Fabric composition
- Manufacturing location
- Shipping
- Returns
- Lead time
- Customization
- Private labeling
The cheapest supplier isn't always the best.
If you're building a boutique, quality problems can quickly become expensive.
You don't want to learn expensive lessons!
Wholesale African Clothing for Plus Size Boutiques
If you are planning to sell plus size African fashion, don't make the mistake of stocking only one or two larger sizes.
A genuinely inclusive boutique should consider a meaningful range of measurements.
You could create collections such as:
XL to 3XL
1X to 4X
2X to 6X
The exact size range will depend on your market.
But the bigger issue is consistency.
If one 3XL dress has a 48-inch bust and another has a 52-inch bust, customers may become frustrated.
A professional wholesale supplier should provide reliable measurements.
Where Can I Buy High Quality Plus Size Clothing?
Where can I find high quality plus size clothes? The answer to that is not in one particular store.
Quality is in the detail. It is in the fit and how well the fabric can hold the construction of the garment.
For African fashion, search for brands that tailor fit clothes and look beyond providing bigger measurements.
What does high quality plus size African clothing look like?
It has:
Strong stitching
Secure seams
Good fabric
Appropriate lining
Functional closures
Comfortable construction
And accurate sizing.
The inside of the garment can also indicate high quality. It can also hold a well finished edge.
What is high quality Ankara for plus size women?
Ankara fabrics come in different sizes, colors, construction and prints.
Inquiring about the fabric can help with your decision.
Is it:
- Wax print?
- Polyester?
- Stretch Fabric?
- Lightweight or heavyweight print?
In hot weather a lightweight fabric can be comfortable.
A structured wax print can also be good for a formal gown or jacket.
What is the best plus size brand?
This is probably the hardest question to answer. The best answer would probably be to look at the reviews. No single brand that is universally the best plus size brand.
Depending on your budget, location, preferred style, and size range, you have different options. Ranging from ready-to-wear to made-to-measure clothing.
For someone searching specifically for African plus size fashion, the criteria I would use to evaluate a brand would be different from just picking the most recognized brand.
1. Is the brand size inclusive?
This involves looking beyond the words “plus size” when evaluating size range.
Brands may advertise as “plus size” and stop at a relatively smaller size range.
2. Does the clothing fit well?
This is more important than the number on the label.
3. Does the brand feature plus size models?
This is very helpful, because if the only models featured are straight size, it is difficult to gauge what the piece looks like on a fuller figure.
4. Does the brand provide measurements?
A thorough size chart is better.
5. Are there customer reviews?
Reviews can address things that the product photographs can't.
Look for comments about:
Fit
Fabric
Length
Quality
Colour
Comfort
Sizing accuracy
6. Does the brand have a reasonable return policy?
Even the best size chart can't guarantee a perfect fit every time.
A reasonable return or exchange policy makes online shopping more convenient.
Best African Fashion Styles for Curvy Women
Some of the best African fashion styles for curvy women include:
Ankara maxi dress
A good maxi dress is versatile and can be worn for a variety of events including church, weddings and formal dinners.
Wrap dress
Because of the adjustable waist, a wrap dress is great for plus size women.
Peplum Blouse
Pair it with a skirt, trousers or jeans.
Wide-Leg Ankara Trousers
Comfortable and stylish.
Boubou
Excellent for occasions where you want something elegant without a restrictive fit.
Ankara Blazer
Perfect for combining African print with contemporary fashion.
Two-Piece Set
Gives you multiple styling options.
Kaftan
An easy choice when comfort is a priority.
Final Thoughts
A plus size African woman no longer has to settle for baggy, shapeless clothes with zero design. A woman can be classical and elegant in a floor length Ankara maxi dress or lace gown. A woman can also show off her style and add flair with a boubou, kaftan, two-piece set, wide-leg pants, or a blazer.
If you are not in a country where African fashion is recognized, you can research African boutiques. If you are in Canada, you can reach out to shops in Toronto.
Make sure you measure yourself before you buy, and check reviews and return policies. If you are thinking of starting a business, make sure you do research on the supplier and check samples.
As a plus size woman, you shouldn't be focused on which brand is the most recognized. The most important thing is that the brand is using quality fabrics and fits properly and makes you feel confident.
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