Someone complained to me once about the fact that I didn’t seem to care much about dressing up. I smiled to myself and thought, ‘Wait for a befitting occasion first na, then you’ll know what’s in my wardrobe.’ I’m a Naija woman. I CAN dress it up when I have to. They say our people do the most when it comes to dressing. Compared to many other people, this might just be true. Naija women are all that and more. We like to dress up. The average Nigerian woman is stylish and we have a special made-to-measure culture that is currently unmatched anywhere else, in my opinion.
The thing is, you don’t even have to be a full-blown ‘fashionista’ to be stylish. All it takes is making sure you have a few staples in your wardrobe. Ideally, you should have at least one of the following.
An Ankara outfit
How are you a proper Naija woman without an Ankara outfit in your wardrobe, eh? Whether you’re a corporate worker or a freelancer/entrepreneur, you will encounter occasions that require some kind of ‘Native’ dress code. It doesn’t even have to be some avant-garde business. At least, a kaftan/boubou, or an Ankara top, or something! Leave your debate about the true origins of Ankara fabric for another day, and buy or sew a nice Ankara outfit. Or ten.
A black skirt/pants
This doesn’t need much explaining. Black goes with everything. You can dress it up, pairing with a frilly blouse for church or a simple formal shirt for work. Or you can dress it down with an ultracasual top and flat sandals.
A black dress
The little black dress (LBD) is the MVP world over, being so versatile and easy to accessorize. It’s the easiest way to go from a church service (with a jacket/blazer) or a corporate meeting, to a dinner party (with or without a shawl). It’s also the perfect back up/safety net when your village people are calling your name when you have a wardrobe malfunction with that special outfit, while getting ready for an outing.
A mid-sized black bag
Black pumps
If you’re a minimalist whether by choice or by circumstance, and can’t get shoes in many different colours, black pumps are real fashion lifesavers, as important as the black bag. At least, you’re not faced with the problem of finding a perfect match. Heeled or flat, black pumps work with nearly everything, corporate or casual.
Strappy sandals
Because, flirty, sexy, casual, or functional, a pair of strappy sandals always accessorizes beautifully. You can invest in a pair of black strappy heels for dressing up, and another pair of flats for casual options.
A pair of jeans
Jeans are the ultimate casual wardrobe staple. They’re the easiest things to just put on with any random top and go. Just try to find the right pair (or three) that flatters your figure, not necessarily what’s in vogue.
Turban/Gele
Ah. Gele. The height of Nigerian fashion. Look, people make money tying gele at occasions. You don’t have to have one in every conceivable colour, or wear them every weekend. But you’ll find yourself wearing one at least once in your life as a proper Naija woman. So, invest in a nice, neutral coloured one that goes with nearly anything, even if it’s black. If you really dislike wearing gele, you might want to invest in a turban instead for a regal look.
What are your fashion must-haves? Please share with us, and know that you can look good without going broke!