The colourful cloth used to make African clothing is created using fabric made with three main materials. The materials commonly used to make African fabrics are rayon, cotton, and silk.  Understanding the differences between the three different fabrics will help users make educated purchasing decisions.

• Silk is the finest, and most expensive, material used to create South African clothing.  The material woven with silk fibre is light, soft, and can help keep the body cool.  African clothing made with silk fabric is not always affordable.  Owning clothing made with silk African fabrics sometimes indicates a higher social status.

• Cotton is probably the most commonly used material used to make African fabrics.  Clothing made with cotton fabric is more affordable to manufacture and to purchase.  Cotton African fabrics are durable, attractive, and a good choice for an individual who wants to spend their money on clothing that will last.  Clothing made with cotton can be designed to be comfortable, and extremely stylish.

• Rayon fiber is fast becoming an alternative to cotton African fabrics.  The clothing made with rayon material is often sold to tourists in Africa, and is also sold online.  African fabric created with rayon is cheap to manufacture, but still looks nice when worn.

When making a final decision, it is important to keep your needs and budget in mind.  Purchase clothing made from African fabrics that will last as long as you need them too, without losing their value.