Help Needed with Man?s African Formal Wear

[Vinclothes]

Help Needed with Man’s African Formal Wear

This top and pants was bought in the early 80’s in Washington, D.C. at a yard sale at an African Embassy. Is it from West Africa? Ghana? It it kente cloth? It is made of plain 4 inch wide plain cotton silver metallic strips alternating with gold machine embroidered strips. Is the top with pockets a dashiki? Is there a name for the outfit? How to price it?

Marian, Vintage Vanities Clothing. com

 

[Jonathan]

African Embassy's have garage sales??? Who knew!

Its not kente cloth, that is a colourful woven cloth in geometric patterns with a lot of blue, yellow, green and red. Once you see kente cloth you will never forget it.

I don't know what this is, but its definately north African...

 

[Vinclothes]

How do I upload a close up of the fabric and an image of the top? Marian

 

[Patentleathershoes]

Do you have a url where your photos are housed on your image host?

< img src = http://whatever the url is >

(but take out all the spaces except the one between "img" and "src")

 

[Vinclothes]

Here are a close up of the fabric and an image of the top. Thank you for your help Patentleathershoes! Marian

<img src=http://www.vintagevanitiesclothing.com/images/wr-1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.vintagevanitiesclothing.com/images/wr.jpg>

 

[Hattysattic]

Now that's a garage sale I wish i could have attended! I'm not so hot on African garb I'm afraid Marian, but shall ask my friend who is for a name for the style of outfit. It's really beautiful fabric!

Will get back to this when I can, and opefully someone else may find out in the meantime. Have you tried googling african traditional costume? It comes up with quite a few links that might be worth investigating.

 

[Vinclothes]

Update on what I have learned. I believe the garments are made of aso oke fabric made in Nigeria. It is hand woven with lurex on narrow upright looms The top may be called a dansiki. It is not quite long enough and full enough, in my view to be called an agbada. Thank you for the tip Hatty. I found the most information in google by looking under African fabric. Garments like this would have been worn for special occasions and formal events. It would make a great groom's wedding outfit. I would appreciate anything anyone can add or confirm what I have found. Marian

 

[Hattysattic]

Great detective work Marian! I haven't seen my girfriend this week, but i hadn't forgotten. It certainly does look formal, so your cconclusion sounds very likely!