Table of Contents
- What You'll Need Before You Start Styling
- Step 1: Choose the Right African Print Pieces for Everyday Wear
- Step 2: Mixing African Prints With Denim for Effortless Casual Looks
- Step 3: Build Around Casual African Print Co-Ords
- Step 4: Style Modern Ankara Dresses for Daytime
- Step 5: Keep Accessories Simple So the Print Leads
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Styling African Print
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 30, 2026
What You'll Need Before You Start Styling
Styling African print for casual wear starts with one simple rule: let the fabric do the talking. Ankara is bold by nature, so your job is to build a calm frame around it.
Before you start, sort out these basics:
- One or two hero pieces in authentic Ankara print
- Plain denim, neutral tees, or block-colour basics to balance the print
- Simple footwear: white trainers, sandals, or plain boots
- Minimal jewellery in gold, wood, or black
- A steamer or iron set to low heat for crease-free fabric
At Afroleisurewear, we design Ankara co-ords and sets for exactly this purpose. Our pieces are size-inclusive and made for everyday wear.
The biggest mistake new buyers make is treating Ankara like costume. It isn't. Treat it like any statement print, and it slots straight into your normal wardrobe.
Step 1: Choose the Right African Print Pieces for Everyday Wear
Start with one statement piece, not a full outfit. A printed jacket, a co-ord set, or wide-leg trousers in Ankara will carry a whole look on their own.
Look for these qualities when you shop:
- Soft, breathable fabric that moves with you
- A relaxed cut you can wear for hours
- Prints with two or three colours, not ten
- Sizes that actually match your measurements
A common mistake is buying a print so busy it fights everything else you own. Fewer colours in the fabric means more ways to wear it.
The British Fashion Council's guidance on sustainable wardrobe choices is worth a read if you want pieces that last beyond one season. Buy less, wear more.
Step 2: Mixing African Prints With Denim for Effortless Casual Looks
Denim is the easiest partner for African print. Blue jeans and a printed jacket or top is the single most reliable casual combination you can build.
Here's how to get it right:
- Pair one printed piece with one denim piece, never two of each
- Keep the top under the print plain: white, black, or cream
- Choose straight or wide-leg jeans to match the print's relaxed feel
- Add white trainers or simple sandals to finish
What most guides miss is proportion. A fitted printed top over baggy jeans works. A baggy printed jacket over skinny jeans also works. Two loose pieces together can swallow your shape.
If you're coming from an all-neutral wardrobe, start with a printed jacket. It's the lowest-risk way to add African print to what you already own.
Step 3: Build Around Casual African Print Co-Ords
Casual African print co-ords are the shortcut to a put-together look with zero effort. A matching set does the styling work for you.
The Kemi Calm Lounge Set is a good example. It's a two-piece set in soft Ankara fabric with a relaxed fit, an elasticated waistband, and side pockets. It comes in Red, Black, and Blue, in UK sizes 10 to 16.
For something more streetwear-led, the Unisex Ankara Crepe Jogger Co-Ord Set pairs a bomber jacket with tapered joggers in a multicolour ikat print. It's £29.99, available in Small to XLarge, and designed as a unisex fit.
How to wear a co-ord casually:
- Full set with trainers for a coordinated look
- Jacket over a plain tee and jeans for a softer version
- Trousers with a neutral knit for a mixed approach
Step 4: Style Modern Ankara Dresses for Daytime
Modern Ankara dresses work for daytime when you keep everything around them simple. The dress is the outfit; the rest is support.
For casual daytime wear:
- Choose a relaxed or A-line shape over a bodycon cut
- Add flat sandals or white trainers, not heels
- Carry a plain bag in a colour pulled from the print
- Skip heavy jewellery; one pair of earrings is enough
The Girlfriend African Print Cropped Top & Wide-Leg Trouser Set shows the same principle in a two-piece: a cropped zip-front top with matching high-waist wide-leg trousers. It runs in UK sizes 10 to 18 with deep side pockets.
Layering helps in cooler months. A plain denim jacket or a neutral trench over an Ankara dress keeps the print as the focal point.
Step 5: Keep Accessories Simple So the Print Leads
Simple accessories protect the print's impact. When your fabric is already doing a lot of visual work, quiet accessories make the whole look sharper.
Follow this rule:
- One metal tone only: gold or silver, not both
- Small earrings or a single necklace, not both
- Plain bags in black, tan, or cream
- Shoes that match your bag or your denim
If you want one colourful accent, make it your shoes. Everything else stays neutral.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Styling African Print
Too many prints in one outfit is the fastest way to look chaotic. One printed piece per look is the safe ceiling.
Other mistakes to watch for:
- Wearing a print with competing patterns like stripes or florals
- Choosing accessories busier than the fabric
- Sizing down in Ankara, which pulls the print out of shape
- Treating printed pieces as occasion-only, so they sit unworn
Fit matters more with print than with plain fabric. A print that pulls across the body distorts the design and looks tight. Always size for comfort, not the label.
Care counts too. Wash Ankara in cold water with similar colours, avoid bleach, and iron on low heat inside out to protect the print. The UK government's guidance on textile care labelling explains what those care symbols on the label actually mean.
| Mistake | The Fix | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Too many prints at once | One printed piece per outfit | Keeps the look calm and wearable |
| Busy accessories | Stick to one metal tone | Lets the fabric lead |
| Sizing down | Buy your true size | Print distorts when fabric pulls |
| High-heat washing | Cold wash, low iron inside out | Protects colour and shape |
Building a casual wardrobe around African print takes one good piece and a few neutral basics. The challenge most people hit is finding Ankara that's comfortable enough for daily wear rather than reserved for events.
That's exactly what Afroleisurewear is built for. Our co-ords and sets use authentic Ankara fabric, come in size-inclusive and unisex fits, and start from £20. You also get free delivery on orders over £60.
Get started with Afroleisurewear and build a casual wardrobe that celebrates your heritage every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you style African print for a casual look?
Start with one bold African print piece and keep everything else plain. An Ankara jacket over a white tee and jeans works instantly. Or try the Kemi Calm Lounge Set (£20), a two-piece in soft Ankara fabric with a relaxed fit and elasticated waist, designed for all-day wear from sofa to shops. Add clean trainers or sliders and minimal jewellery. The key is letting the print lead while the rest of the outfit stays quiet and comfortable.
Can you mix African print with plain everyday clothes?
Yes, and it is the easiest way to wear African print casually. Pair one printed item with neutral basics you already own: plain white tees, black joggers, denim jackets or simple leggings. The Unisex Ankara Crepe Jogger Co-Ord Set (£29.99) works well split up, with the bomber jacket worn over a plain tee and jeans for a relaxed vibe. Keep the plain pieces solid in colour so the Ankara print stays the focal point.
Are African print co-ords suitable for casual settings?
They are, especially when the fabric and cut are relaxed rather than formal. A co-ord in crepe or cotton with an elasticated waist or jogger silhouette reads as casual, not ceremonial. The Unisex Ankara Crepe Co-Ord Set (£29.99) has a unisex fit and wide-leg trousers that suit everyday wear. Wear the full set with trainers for a coordinated look, or mix the pieces separately with plain basics for lower-key days.
How do I accessorise African print outfits for a subtle look?
Keep accessories minimal so the print does the talking. Choose one or two small pieces: simple gold studs, a thin chain, or a plain leather bag in black, tan or white. Avoid busy patterns or oversized statement jewellery that competes with the Ankara design. For footwear, clean white trainers, black sliders or neutral sandals work best. If your outfit already has multiple colours in the print, pick one colour from it and repeat that in your accessories.
0 comments