Looking for the latest ankara styles to sew as wedding aso-ebi? In this post, you will see pictures of over 100 beautiful ankara styles and native-wear dresses appropriate for female wedding guests. The featured ankara outfits are trendy and include different types of styles – long and short gowns, skirt and blouse styles, and trouser ankara styles. You’ll love them.
To ensure that you have more than enough styles to send to your tailor, we curated the best of this season’s unique ankara wears for you. Swipe or scroll down to check out photos of latest ankara styles, and down below is part 2 of this post featuring 100 more images of beautiful ankara styles.
3 Colourful Ankara and Chiffon Combination Styles with Statement Sleeves
- More Tole Styles: 16 Best Toke Makinwa’s Celebrity Wedding Guest Styles
- MORE FANCY HAND STYLES: Latest Statement Sleeve Dress Styles for Occasions
2 Simple Ankara Shift Dress Styles that Are Perfect for Wedding Guests
- MORE SHORT ANKARA DRESSES: Latest Nigerian and English Short Gown Styles
3 Cute Ankara Off-Shoulder Gown Styles You Can Wear to Weddings & Occasions
- SIMILAR STYLES: 10 Pretty Off-Shoulder Styles for Wedding Guests
2 Chic Mix and Match Straight-Cut Ankara Pencil Dresses
- SIMILAR STYLES: How to Tie Rose Gele Headtie (like Kate Henshaw above)
3 Flashy Ankara Maxi Skirts and Above-the-Ankle Dress Styles
100 UNIQUE ANKARA STYLES FOR WEDDINGS & OCCASIONS (VIDEO)
MORE STYLES LIKE THE PHOTOS ABOVE:
- Trending One-Hand Wedding Aso-ebi Dresses Celebs Wore
- Latest Skirt and Blouse Styles for Wedding Guests
- Latest Long Gown Styles for Occasion Dressing
About Ankara Fashion Trends
Ankara clothing is loved by Nigerian women as aso-ebi fabric, sewn into different styles and worn at weddings and special occasions. Ankara clothing material is also used to sew casual-wears and other traditional or native-style attire for men and women.
It’s common to see ankara materials combined with other types of fabrics to give the outfit a kind of different vibe.
So, we have all sorts of ankara mix, such as ankara mixed with lace material, ankara mixed with chiffon, ankara mixed with plain materials, and ankara mixed with denim or even jersey (aka t-shirt material).
About Ankara Cloth: The African Fashion Cloth
Ankara is a multi-coloured, multi-patterned cotton fabric mostly worn by Africans. To non-Africans, Ankara fabrics look like a piece of artwork on cloth.
How Ankara Fabrics are sold: They are sold in packs of 5-yards in Nigerian and African markets. That’s how they are manufactured. However, sometimes, you can buy smaller pieces of ankara fabric, if the seller agrees to sell two and a half or 3 yards to you.
There are many ways and styles that Nigerians and Africans, in general, wear their ankara materials, including the traditional single wrappers (iro) or double wrappers worn with blouses.
African wrappers are similar to sarong worn by Indians, and women wrap it around their waists while men either wrap it around the waist or chest. Ankara fabrics are also made into other types of beautiful outfits such as ankara gowns or skirts and blouses, or even ankara trouser/ pants and tops.
Both men and women use ankara fabrics to sew any type of outfit they desire. Sometimes, for occasion-wear, Nigerian men wear ankara outfits with the traditional men’s hat (fila) while women wear ankara outfits with statement bead necklaces and traditional headgear (gele) or ankara turban headwrap.
Most Ankara clothes in Africa are not sold as ready-to-wear, The tradition here is for one to buy some piece of fabric, pick a style from a fashion catalogue, website or magazine and have your local local tailor sew it for you.
MORE OCCASION FASHION STYLES:
- Colour Combinations Guide for Aso-ebi and Nigerian Dressing
- Latest Skirt and Blouse Styles (100 Pictures)
- Latest Lace (Fabric) Styles and Designs in Nigeria
Some History and Other Names of African Ankara Fabric
In case you didn’t know about the origin and history of this fabric, ankara is the name of the popular, colourful patterned, cotton fabric extensively worn by Africans.
Ankara fabric is worn across Africa, and also well-loved, especially because it is made of mostly cotton material, and so friendly to the warm African weather.
While ankara is known as the cloth for Africans, it originally was manufactured in Holland (Netherlands) and I think, England, hence the name ‘Dutch wax’ and ‘English wax’ by which our mothers and grandmothers call it.
SEE MORE STYLES:
- Traditional Wedding and Aso-ebi Colour Combinations
- Posh Puff Sleeves Dresses Perfect for Nigerian Wedding Guests
- Latest One-Shoulder Styles for Occasion-Wear Ankara and Wedding Aso-ebi
These days, ankara is being made in many other countries, including China and African countries, and also by numerous companies, apart from Vlisco (one of the Dutch premium ankara fabric maker).
Some Nigerians refer to ankara fabric by other names such as print, ankara wax, or simply ‘wax’ or ‘English wax’. While many African countries also call it ‘ankara’, other names by which this clothing material is known in some African countries to include: kitenge and chitenge.
Outside Africa, most people (especially non-Africans) would refer to ankara clothing materials as Dutch wax, Holland wax or just African wax or African wax prints.
If you’re looking to buy ankara fabric from the USA or Europe and use any of those names, you’re sure to be handed one or be directed to where they are sold.
Ankara is synonymous with ‘traditional wear’ in Nigeria. Popular brands of this fabric include vlisco ankara wax, daviva, uniwax, Ghana wax (ATL and GTP),
English wax, super print/ wax, Hallandais/ Dutch wax, HiTarget, Nigerian wax, woodin print and a whole lot of other African print fabric brands.
Because ankara fabric is popularly referred to as ‘the African cloth’, one would think that it originated from Africa. Thing is, it did not – the Europeans were some of the first manufacturers of the fabric we all now know as ‘ankara’.
In fact, those regarded as the high quality or premium ankara fabrics are made in Europe. Vlisco’s Hollandais is one of the premium ankara wax, and loved by Nigerian women, and generally African women) of all ages.
MORE NIGERIAN WEDDING GUEST FASHION STYLES:
- Latest Wedding Aso-ebi Styles and Designs
- What Celebrity Guests Wore to Mo Abudu’s Daughters Wedding
- Best Lace Aso-ebi Styles Celebs Wore at TV Girl Tomike’s Lagos Wedding
What’s Your Ankara Style?
It’s the season of wedding parties and Nigerian women are (almost, always) checking complete fashion magazines and Bella Naija for pictures of slay queens rocking the latest ankara occasion outfits of the season.
There you have it on the latest styles of sewing ankara/ kitenge outfits for Nigerian and African women. I hope you like them. How do you like to wear your ankara dresses to occasions – with or without a Gele headtie?
Now, tell me – which of the above in-vogue ankara styles do you like best? Comment below to tell me. And, don’t forget to share this post with your friends – Facebook it/ Instagram it/ tweet it/ email it.
I LIKE YOUR ANKARA STYLES AND I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SEW CLOTHES IN YOUR INDUSTRY.HOW MUCH IS IT?
Thanks. You can easily find a good tailor in your area to learn from. That’s one of the best ways to learn.
wow this is beautiful keep it up.
Thanks, dear.
Amazing designs
Thanks
these are wonderful styles. how do u even manage to put them together! well done u are found a great job. but please can you post trendy A shape long gown styles. thanks
Thanks, Notye. I am glad you like the styles. We manage to do anything for our readers – they tell us our featured asoebi styles inspire them to look hot and trendy when they attend weddings as guests.
Noted, I have heard you and would keep that on the list of new styles to feature some time.
Thanks for giving us a post idea – we love that.
very lovely Ankara,our pride
Thanks, dear. I’m glad you liked the featured ankara styles. Be sure to check out our many other Nigerian native styles perfect for wedding guests and asoeebi.
Hello Stella
You are really doing a great work here, pushing our locally made design products for more awareness. Am a newbie fashion blogger.
I like your latest ankara syles dresses, they are beautiful
Thanks, I’m happy to hear that.
Beautiful designs…Ankara fashion is doing great worldwide
Thanks. Yea, Ankara is steadily gaining global recognition, and we’re loving it – loads of new styles.
am in aba, where can I get original Ghana Ankara material at ariaria international market. I love the desighn
Hello Uba, I have no idea as I do not live in Aba. But, you ask young ladies and married women around you – I believe they will know and direct you to a Ghana Ankara seller in Ariaria market. Cheers!
waoo! i love this mehh. i’m a fashion designer but still learning .i pray i’ll b creative in this way
Thanks for liking the featured ankaea styles, Oby. Amen for your prayers – you will grow in your fashion business to become the best.
Ma I like all the style, and I am a fashion designer but am have problems with new padded blouse when cutting it
Hi Tope. Nice to know that you like all the featured ankara styles. I believe that with some more practice, your skills will improve with regards to cutting padded blouses. Cheers!
wow you people are really doing great put more effort more styles please I need to send them to one my in fashion designer
Can u send me fashion styles like ankara or dress or skit and top my mother fashion digner
I don’t understand you oo.
EVERY BIT ON THIS BLOG IS SUPER MEGA UNIQUE . SO COLOURFUL ! SO CLASSY ! FEED ME MORE. THANX.
thanks for the opportunity given me.
I just love Ankara styles. Thank you for the wonderful job you are doing. Ankara inspires me a lot.
They are beautiful, Kodus to Nigeria designer they are really doing great.
More Ankara styles,
Thanks
Am glad with what people are saying about you,
am also a designer , and am into tie and dye (adire)
It’s really nice
Thank you, Abiola. I’m glad you like the featured ankara styles – they make great wedding guest outfits. Be sure to see our other wedding guests’ fashion style ideas and pictures.
i have a passion of making dresses though i have not gotten any training.currently in kenya.wld u please advice me
Hi Diana, dress-making is a good thing. I advice that you find a good Kenyan tailor to learn from.
Very nice styles
Thanks, Omolola. Be sure to check out more Nigerian wedding attire and guest styles – from the links inside this post.
Great work and well done Stella.they are just too nice.I love these.
Aww! Thank you, Ifeoluwa. I am so glad that you like those ankara styles as much as we do. Thanks for reading NaijaGlamWedding blog.
Please What those the blouse, wrapper, head tie and beads represent in Niger Delta culture?
I have no idea, Obuwe.
These are so lovely and inspiring…. am not a designer though, am a cosmetologist.but I must confess, these designs are amazing…. keep up d good work.
Thank you, Funmi. I’m glad you like the Ankara catalogue. Thanks for visiting NaijaGlamWedding. You can see our other wedding fashion lookbook by clicking here.
the dress is good and fine
Thanks, Timmy.
Hi Stella, they are all nice styles. Am a fashion designer base in Lagos , Nigeria. I must say this is the first I stumbled on your blog and it sure made a good read. Couldn’t help but share on my Facebook page. The pictures are so colorful and unique too. Bravo!
Oh, thank you Precious. Such lovely comments and feedback make my day. And, thanks for sharing on your Facebook page – God bless you. I would like to invite you to our Wedding Vendors FB page where we can get to know you, and you can also advertise what you do free any time. Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingvendorsinnigeria/
I met a young talented lady of age 23 in Ibadan last year, she just finished her NCE at Federal College of Education Oyo and pursuing her direct entry to further in the University. I was so impressed by her creativity and wish I could project her, but I am just a Post graduate student in Europe. I want to link her up with creative minds and mentors in the industry in Nigeria. She is just operating from her parents house. Though the patronage is ok, i believe she needs to get out of the shell of Ibadan and move up the scale of exposure and networking within the fashion industry. I am a Lawyer, but i believe so much in seeing young minds getting up and doing things on their own rather than waiting for that corporate Job out there. Please let me know how I can link her up with you directly please…..I must add….i am in Love with this young girl i am talking about, but i wish to climb up the ladder with her in Life. Thanks…..God bless you.
Dennis
Hi Dennis, ask the young lady to join us in our ‘Wedding Vendors Club’ Facebook Page (click here) – where she can talk to us OR connect with other creatives in the wedding industry OR advertise her wedding fashion items to brides-to-be, OR purchase a paid advertising on this blog. Thanks.
Pls I need a tailor in london
Hi Bimbo. Can you come and post this in our ‘Wedding Vendors Marketplace’ on Facebook (click here) – that’s where we have Nigerian service providers who will easily reply or point you to someone.
goodday
i like ur dress
well done to ur work
Thank you, Joena.
Hi
Need someone who can design 4 me nice ankara dressess within kisumu have tried many people but they dont give out axact of what i need plz
Welcome to NaijaGlamWedding, Nancy. I am glad that you like the ankara dress styles we featured, but I don’t know any tailor within that area. Hopefully, you will find a better dress designer soon – just keep asking. Thanks
I like to open the Ankara style
Gud day ma, I like all d styles dey are very unique & nice.well done for great wrk u av done
Thank you, Khafilat. I am happy that you liked the ankara styles we featured. Follow us on Facebook for more wedding styles pictures.
luv those styles.am also a fashion designer just thru wit d learning and luking for where i can do my IT,pls can i apply.
Thanks for your feedback, Morenike. We wish you luck in getting an IT place very soon. We are not taking IT interns at this time, dear.
Helo, I like your work , please I need a link to someone who is ready to supply me ankara in Nairobi kenya, I am opening a fashion house , Just for Nigeria products only.
Welcome to NaijaGlamWedding blog, Uche. We are glad you like our work. I have no idea about anyone that can supply you Ankara fabrics from Nigeria. Ankara is everywhere in Nigeria. I suggest that you find time to visit Nigeria and go to the local markets, to personally discuss with Ankara sellers – you are so to find one or more to buy bulk ankara from. Good luck at it, bro.
waoooooooooo. I never knew about this. wonderfull nd nice styles.
Welcome to NaijaGlamWedding blog, Stella. I’m glad you really like our ‘big ankara styles lookbook’. We’re cool like that – and we have plenty of beautiful collections of the best of Naija fashion styles – including aso-ebi styles, lace styles and so on. Click here to see them now.
Hey where can i buy an ankara dress
Hi Maya:
You can buy ready-to-wear Ankara dress on Etsy (links below) OR you can purchase the fabric from any African/ Nigerian clothing store and then find a tailor/ dress maker to make them for you. Hope this helps.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZabbaDesigns
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=ankara%20dress&order=most_relevant
hi..m from zimbabwe..i jus to thank God for the blessed hands and minds that nigerian designers were given..ryt now in zim ankara designs are in fashion..the designs are jus out of this world..i love them..wl kip checking fo new trends..thanks
Thanks for that wonderful feedback, Mrs Dorlyn. Nigerian designers are sure talented and do some of the finest Ankara styles. We like that Ankara fashion has is gaining such a wide acceptance Worldwide, even among American celebrities – just like the Danshiki fashion from Africa is also gaining popularity in the USA. I also love Zimbabwean Ankara designs – they’re so unique.
We have lots of other awesome Nigerian fashion styles pictures that you’ll love – click here to see them.
Thanks for visiting NaijaGlamWedding blog. Send our greetings to the Zimbabwean fashionistas.
Lovely Blog, Nice Ankara will inform my Mum and Wife
Thanks, Yinka. I’m glad you like the ankara styles, and are sure your mum and wife will too.
Good day Ma,
I must say, this is the first time I would stumble upon a blog like this one. Everything is so put together, colorful and not to forget unique.
Thanks for the awesome comment, Kemi. That just made my cheeks blush:) I have just emailed you the reply – check your email inbox.
great n savvy!
Thanks, Medyna. We’re glad you liked the ankara styles. Be sure to check out our other Nigerian wedding fashion lookbooks and tutorial videos – you’ll love them too.
what a nice and beautifull style
Thanks for your feedback, Bukky.
nice style
They are all nice styles
I’m glad you like them, Folake. Thanks for the feedback.