Traditional clothing in Nigeria.

Nigeria is well-known for its culture, which includes events, food, and, of course, fashion! Self-expression and ingenuity shine through in the ways Nigerians create fashion out of both old and new materials. Have you ever wondered where about the roots of most of the outfits we see today?

NORTHERN NIGERIA

Northern Nigerian fashion is recognised for its elegance and features a lot of layering. Men typically wear a kaftan with a loosely fitted baban riga over it. The hula, or cap, completes the look.

An ankara blouse and skirt for women is generally paired with a matching veil. The complexity of the material is determined by the occasion, with heavier, more complicated textiles chosen for formal occasions and simple materials for everyday use. Long, flowy gowns known as abayas are typically worn in casual settings, but they can also be dressed up.

SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This region's fashion is constantly evolving and finding new ways to incorporate its basics. It is well-known for garments like agbada, gele, iro, and buba, as well as textiles such aso oke and adire. The aso oke is a handwoven cloth, whereas the adire is created using a method called resist-dyeing.

The iro and buba is a wrapper with a loose blouse that ladies wear with the gele on their heads. This region's traditional apparel is exceedingly elaborate and intricate, with an emphasis on sets with complementary accessories.

SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Did you know that Igbo traditional clothing is known as Isiagu? Isi-Agu, which translates to "lion's head" in Igbo, is a pullover shirt made of fabric with lion heads printed on it. It is traditionally worn by a man with a chieftaincy title and is typically combined with a red or leopard print cap.

Women dress in form-fitting garments made of isiagu or ankara that enhance their figure in a variety of styles. They wear statement jewellery at formal occasions.