Sokofa Shop
Shop handcrafted apparel from African designers, from matching sets and dresses to wardrobe staples with cultural character.
62 items
Fashion
A loose Ankara bubu dress in yellow, green and pink with two front patch pockets. The dress is cut in three bold bands of colour, sunshine yellow across the shoulders, deep green through the middle and fuchsia pink at the hem, all printed with large white leaf motifs. It has a soft V neckline, wide elbow length sleeves and a relaxed, straight bubu shape that skims the body rather than clinging to it. On the model in the photographs it falls just below the knee. Two big square yellow patch pockets sit on the green band at the front, roomy enough for a phone. If you would rather have pockets that move as you walk, Lummy Atelier also makes this dress as the Ankara Bubu Gown, Fringe Pockets. Wear it for holidays, social gatherings and easy everyday dressing, with flat sandals or heeled mules. Sizes run from Small to XXLarge, with bust, waist and hip measurements for each size shown in the size picker, so check yours before you order. Designed and made in Nigeria by Lummy Atelier.
Sold by LUMMY ATELIER • Nigeri
African products
A men's Ghana smock in navy hand woven cotton with gold and orange stripes. Narrow woven strips, navy with pale blue blocks, are sewn together and flare into deep pleats below the chest, broken by wide bands of gold. The front is quilted with rows of white running stitch, and the keyhole neckline is outlined in white embroidery and lined with a green patterned cloth. The sleeves are short and wide. Wear it over jeans or dark trousers, or dress it up for a wedding, a naming ceremony or Independence Day. The same seller also has a navy smock with yellow stripes and a maroon one. It is one size, and the seller gives its measurements as 127 x 81 cm. Hand woven, 100% cotton.
Sold by GOLDEN HERITAGE AFRICA GALLERY • Cape Coast
Fashion
Step out in refined confidence with this cut-to-fit jacquard men’s kaftan, designed for the modern man who values clean structure and subtle detail. Crafted from quality jacquard fabric, this piece features a sleek black rim finish that adds depth and sophistication without being loud. The tailored cut enhances the silhouette, giving you a sharp, well-defined look. Perfect for: • Weddings • Church services • Special occasions • Corporate traditional days • Elegant casual outings A timeless design that speaks class without trying too hard.
Sold by PRINCESSCHI TREND LTD • Lagos
Fashion
A sleeveless black and white polka dot satin dress with a round neckline, a small notch at the front and a flounced tier at the hem. The flounce is what sets it apart. The dress falls loose and swinging from the shoulders into a gathered tier just above the knee, so it has movement without a fitted waist, and the sheen of the satin makes a classic spot print look dressier than cotton would. It suits a daytime party, a wedding guest outfit with a jacket, or brunch with flat sandals. If you want something plainer for every day, the Ivory Breeze shift from the same store is the quieter choice. The spots are evenly spaced black dots on an off white ground, front and back. Sizes S to XXXL. Wash cool and gently, and iron on a low setting on the reverse, as satin marks easily with heat.
Sold by Alpha Threads Fashions • NAIROBI
Fashion
A red scuba net kimono with black fringed trim, sold with black trousers. The kimono is cut wide and open at the front, with elbow length sleeves finished in a turned back cuff and a long body that falls past the hip. A thin red piping runs along each front edge inside a deep border of soft black fringe, which frames the outfit when you wear it open. The scuba net is a light open mesh, so it layers over a plain top and moves easily, which you can see in the seller's video. The trousers are plain black with a straight leg. Wear the two together for a party, a dinner or a weekend out, or throw the kimono over a simple dress on its own. If you prefer a single flowing piece, the store also makes bubu gowns. Care: hand wash cool and dry flat; cool iron on the reverse, away from the fringe.
Sold by d clairealex design • United Kingdom
Fashion
A black chiffon bubu gown, sold with a matching scarf and a black inner. The gown is scattered with small pink and white flowers, with a wider band of larger pink blooms at the hem and down the sleeves. The yoke is a black eyelet panel set with small silver studs and finished with soft white fringe along each shoulder, around a slit V neck. Below it the chiffon falls wide and loose to the floor, with deep batwing sleeves that move as you walk, which you can see in the seller's video. The chiffon is sheer, so the inner is what you wear underneath; it is shown folded on the hanger in photo 2 with the printed scarf. Wear it to an owambe, a naming ceremony or a church thanksgiving, or anywhere you want one easy piece that looks dressed up. If you want something warmer for the evening, the store's black bubu with gold rope embroidery is lined. Care: hand wash cool and dry flat; cool iron on the reverse, away from the studs and fringe.
Sold by d clairealex design • United Kingdom
Fashion
A black bubu gown in lined scuba net, embroidered with gold rope. The gold marine rope is stitched in loose loops around the V neckline, down to a small tie at the chest, and around the wide cuffs of the batwing sleeves. The gown falls straight and loose to the floor, with a front pocket you can see the maker's hand resting in. It is cut as one free size, so it drapes rather than fits, and the lining means the net is not see through. The set comes with a matching scarf and an inner, which you can see under the V neck. Wear it to an owambe, a church thanksgiving or a creative evening out, or simply as the easiest dressed up outfit in your wardrobe: one piece, no fitting worries. Care: hand wash cool or dry clean, and keep the rope embroidery away from a hot iron.
Sold by d clairealex design • United Kingdom
Fashion
A hand crocheted halter top made from granny squares. Bright squares in pink, orange, red and white are edged in black and joined into a V neck front that ends in a deep pointed hem. Thin black straps cross over the back and lace down through loops on both back panels, finishing in long ties, so you can pull it as snug as you like. Choose your size from XS to XXL. The seller can also make it to your own measurements or in other colours: message them after ordering, as there is no notes box at checkout. A bright layer for summer days, festivals and holidays, over high waisted trousers, a skirt or shorts.
Sold by Stellz.Crochets • Lagos
Fashion
A hand crocheted V neck sweatshirt in caramel, chocolate brown and white stripes. The Mide is worked in broad bands of caramel and deep brown, each pair split by a crisp white stripe, and the stripes carry on round the back and down both sleeves so it looks just as good walking away. The deep V neck, the cuffs and the hem are finished in ribbed crochet, and the shoulders are dropped for a relaxed, easy shape. It is designed one size larger than your usual fit to give an oversized look, so order your normal size. The seller's size guide, by body measurement: XS chest 30 to 32in, waist 23 to 25in; S chest 32 to 34in, waist 25 to 27in; M chest 36 to 38in, waist 28 to 31in; L chest 38 to 40in, waist 32 to 34in; XL chest 41 to 45in, waist 35 to 38in; XXL chest 45 to 50in, waist 38 to 41in. Unisex, and warm enough to wear on its own on a cool day or over a shirt when it is colder. Each one is made by hand, so allow one to two weeks before it is sent.
Sold by Stellz.Crochets • Lagos
Fashion
A loose, sheer pink bubu gown in a light striped mesh fabric. The gown is cut wide and straight with a V neckline and deep batwing sleeves, and falls to around the ankle on the dress form in the photographs. The fabric is a see through pink with fine woven stripes running down its length, so it catches the light as you move. Because it is sheer, wear it over a slip, a fitted dress or swimwear. It is one free size, cut loose to suit a wide range of figures. Photo 1 shows the front and photo 2 the back. Wear it as a beach or pool cover up, over a plain dress for an evening out, or at home on a warm day. Handmade in Nigeria by Lushy Losh Concepts. There is one gown available.
Sold by Lushy Losh Concepts • Nigeria
Fashion
A loose, floor length bubu gown with a white lace yoke and lace sleeves. The body of the gown is a bold resist style print, falling straight and wide from a white dry lace yoke that sits across the chest and shoulders and runs into short, wide lace sleeves. The neckline is a soft V edged in the lace. On the model in the photographs it falls to the floor and skims the body rather than clinging to it. Choose your colour in the picker: sunny yellow with a dark brown print, or royal blue with a deeper blue print. Each colour is shown in one photograph. The fabric is listed by the maker as Adire, Ankara and dry lace. Wear it for celebrations, church, weekend outings or easy everyday dressing at home, and dress it up or down with your accessories. Sizes run from Small to XXLarge, with bust, waist and hip measurements for each size shown in the size picker, so check yours before you order. If you love both colours, ask Lummy Atelier about taking the pair together. Designed and made in Nigeria by Lummy Atelier.
Sold by LUMMY ATELIER • Nigeri
Fashion
A purple and blush floral maxi shirt dress, cut wide like a bubu, with lace trimmed sleeves. The maker lists it as silk and lace. The fabric has a satin sheen and a large print of pale pink leaves and flowers on deep purple. It has a small band collar and buttons down the front, and the wide batwing sleeves are edged with deep cream lace. The dress falls loose and straight to the floor, and the seller's video shows the back, which carries the same print. It is an easy dressed up piece for a wedding guest, a birthday lunch or a church service, and the button front makes it simple to put on. If you prefer black, the store's chiffon bubu comes with its own scarf. Care: hand wash cool or dry clean, and iron cool on the reverse, avoiding the lace.
Sold by d clairealex design • United Kingdom
Fashion
A navy, grey and white floral maxi shirt dress, cut wide like a bubu, with lace trimmed sleeves. The maker lists it as silk and lace. The fabric has a soft sheen and a large print of navy and grey leaves and flowers on white. It has a small band collar and buttons all the way down the front, and the wide sleeves finish in deep white lace. The dress falls loose and straight to the floor, and the second photo and the seller's video show the back, which carries the same print. The cool navy and white palette makes it the easiest of the store's bubus to wear by day, to a lunch, a christening or a church service, and the button front makes it simple to put on. If you prefer a richer colour, the store's purple floral bubu shirt dress is the same cut. Care: hand wash cool or dry clean, and iron cool on the reverse, avoiding the lace.
Sold by d clairealex design • United Kingdom
African products
A short, loose bubu dress in handwoven aso oke, with two front pockets and a fringed hem. The dress in the photographs is the purple colourway: wide purple panels down the front and two purple patch pockets, set against stripes of orange, red, black, grey and cream, with the fringe left loose all along the hem. The cut is wide and free with broad open sleeves, so it sits easily on the body and moves with you, and on the model it falls above the knee. The seller describes the cloth as 100% handwoven aso oke, lightweight and breathable, made to wear to brunch, a casual day out or an owambe. It also comes in brown, orange, burnt orange, pink, red and gold. Only purple is pictured, so message the seller to see a colour before you order. Dress it up with heels or keep it easy with flat slides. One free size, which the seller says fits UK 8 to 16.
Sold by BheyusApparels • Nigeria
Buying guide
African fashion is not one style but hundreds. Ankara wax prints bring bold, saturated patterns to dresses and matching sets; Adire is the indigo resist-dye tradition of the Yoruba; Aso-Oke and kente are prestige woven cloths reserved for occasions worth remembering. Knowing the fabric is the fastest way to find the piece you actually want. Start with the subcategory that matches how you plan to wear it.
Because most pieces on Sokofa are cut and sewn by independent designers rather than mass-produced, sizing can differ from high-street standards. Check the measurements on each product page rather than relying on your usual letter size, and use the product Q&A if you are between sizes, since many designers offer made-to-order adjustments.
Whether you choose a hand-dyed kaftan from Lagos or an embroidered agbada from Accra, you are buying directly from the maker, with secure checkout and worldwide delivery.
Common questions
Sokofa (sokofa.com) is an online marketplace for authentic African fashion: Ankara dresses, Adire, kaftans and Aso-Oke pieces sold directly by independent African designers in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and beyond. Every product is reviewed before it goes live, and all orders ship worldwide with secure checkout; if an item arrives damaged, wrong, or not as described, contact support within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or refund.
Sokofa (sokofa.com) specialises in African dresses made by independent designers: Ankara gowns, Adire pieces, kaftans and matching sets, many made to order. Because you buy directly from African makers rather than a reseller, each page names the designer, and every order ships worldwide with secure checkout.
Ankara is the vivid wax-printed cotton most people picture when they think of African fashion. The patterns are printed on both sides of the cloth, which keeps colours bright through years of washing. It is used for everything from dresses and matching sets to shirts and headwraps.
Check the garment measurements listed on each product page rather than relying on standard letter sizing, because independent designers often cut differently from high-street brands. If you are between sizes, contact the designer through the product page; many offer made-to-order sizing.
Wash wax prints and hand-dyed pieces like Adire in cold water, inside out, and line-dry out of direct sunlight. Avoid harsh detergents and tumble drying. Gentle care keeps the colours rich for years.
Yes. Every product is reviewed before it appears on Sokofa, and most garments are handmade or finished in small studios across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and beyond. Each product page tells you who made the piece and where.
Yes, all items ship internationally, including to the UK, USA and Europe. Delivery times and costs are confirmed at checkout, and if an item arrives damaged, wrong, or not as described, contact support within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or refund.
