Ewe Strip-Woven Man's Wrap

Twelve feet of black and white, and it was meant to be worn.

This strip-woven man's wrap is hand woven cotton, made by the Ewe people of Ghana, West Africa, in the 20th century. Ewe weavers work on narrow looms, sewing long strips edge to edge into large cloths that men wear wrapped around the body, with one shoulder bare, at festivals and important gatherings. Here black bars and pale uprights interlock across the field like a brick wall. Wider bands at each end switch to a lighter, finer grid. 95 inches wide by 144 long.

Few garments require so much confidence.