I'm particularly feeling elated by the burgeoning interest in fashion among Nigerians. More people are now willing to experience the uniquely excellent feeling of wearing something that is specially & locally made just for them. Unlike never before, majority of Nigerians and even Foreigners are ready to embrace and experience our own tradition, but in a modernized & more acceptable way. People are now able to unleash their personal taste for style through a more convenient medium called bespoke tailoring.
Today, I'm writing about the agbada trend that keeps getting hotter by the day. The rich style used to be strictly worn on special occasions by our fathers, kings, chiefs, & elites. But those days are far gone, Agbada has gained so much popularity as a fashionable form of attire that has been accepted among wide classes of people irrespective of the age, gender, tribe or cultural differences. This outfit has become a template to showcase creativity, and for expressing one's sense of style. A well tailored agbada is more than just clothes, from the overflowing robe, the elaborate embroidery, to the voluminous & effortless elegant appearance, all these have big impacts on the way you feel about yourself. The excitement it gives can only be understood when you feel it.
However, there is a number of us that are yet to see the importance attached to this outfit, and the need for it. This is exactly what has prompted this write up. I would like to highlight some of the cogent reasons why this attire is meant for you. And also importantly, if you're already tasting the feeling of this amazing attire, I'm sure you would want to keep your game on, by reading about the most appealing ways to rock it, and some of the best styles to complement your body size, your gender, your fashion sense, and for different occasions.
I say to every reader, as Quarles said in the preface to his 'Emblems', "I wish thee as much pleasure in the reading as I had in the writing."
Why you should wear it
1. Makes you feel great: The best thing about wearing an agbada is the fact that it has an amazing way of putting you in a good mood, and incredibly boosting your confidence in ways remarkably you never thought possible. When you're all set to have some fun, there is a need to wear something as cool as possible, and ready to party. This isn't time to come over all shy and retiring, so bring on the bling. When you step out, whoever is looking at you is admiring somthing about you. It is a known fact that how you feel about your cloth has an impact on your mood, and your confidence level. No agbada for an event, and you've to compensate for many things. Everything else has to be right, and that would always be more things to worry about. I can't believe some people are even scared of wearing agbada because they think people would say they are showing off...lol The most important thing about clothing is how it makes you feel, before what people think about it. If it makes you feel great about yourself, wear it. Set yourself free, look the best you can be, have fun, happiness starts from feeling good.
2. It tells a lot about your personality: Paying attention to those little but very important details of life tells so much about your personality. Clothing is one of the most important and essentials of life; after Godliness, work, food, and shelter. How conscious you are about what you wear tells so much about how organised & calm you are. Basically, unorganised people mostly won't care much about this, they are not collected enough to think these things matter. Don't let life happen to you, you should happen to life. Pay attention and be in charge of the essential things of life.
3. It commands some more respect: Right from the days of our fathers, agbada has been an outfit that comes with so much prestige and authority. Due to the costly & overflowing fabrics, agbada always come with so much pride, and our tradition gives it so much respect as a sign of high status. If you put on a well-fitting agbada, it makes you stand differently, you're not regular. Some weeks ago, I was trying to convince a friend of mine to wear an agbada for his introduction, he said he doesn't want too much. I told him agbada isn't anything too much, there are smart & casual ones, and there are ceremonial ones. It doesn't have to be so big, but i want you to wear something unique, so when we get to the bride's family house, they won't ask who the groom is. If there is ever any event you attend with a well tailored agbada, and you don't get a personal wine, I can bet there is a significant shortage of wine in that event...lol. This reminds me of a party I attended earlier this year, of course i showed up in a nice agbada made by JohnniePeezu. As I was walking by, I overheard the Caterer telling her servers to make sure they serve everyone putting on agbada very sufficiently. So I went back to the hall, I sat down like a boss, and made orders for anything. It got to a point, the people that didn't wear agbada started asking me to help tell the servers to also give them what they want.
4. It's unisex: There is a popular saying, what a man can do, a woman can do better. There is virtually no piece of male cloth that is also not worn by the women. They have always admired our sense of style, and we also always appreciate our style on them. When a woman wears this most celebrated traditional attire, the strength of the woman radiates around it, and it symbolises power & royalty. If you doubt me, go find out why our traditional regents are mostly on agbada, or something similar. Fashion conscious women have turned their attention to this attire, and have made it trendy & stylish in their own feminine ways.
How to rock it
I wanted to stop at the previous section, but I remembered the yoruba adage that says "It is not enough to put on a headgear, it is appreciated only when it fits well".
For Women: Women can pair with headgears, some go with fedora, others with the traditional male caps. The options are simply limitless when it comes to styling for more feminine feel. It would be perfect to pair your agbada with nice heels, it gives it a chic & refined feminine look, and also not absolutely wrong with some cute sandals, pumps, and shoes.
For the tailoring aspect of it, it is advisable for your tailor to make the neckline and shape of the inner top as feminine as possible. If you're tall, consider a longer agbada, if you're big, consider a slim and smart looking pair of trousers. If you're short, let everything be moderate and not too long. If you're big, choose fabrics with vertical patterns. If you're slim, choose the opposite. If you're fair in complexion, not too bright colours are more suitable. If you're of the african black beauty, go for some colourful fabrics that will let your skin glow in its own way. After this write up, you get to see some of the amazing styles you can consider.
For Men: There are no too much rules for men wearing agbada, just the basic ones.
The open sleeves of the agbada are normally folded over the shoulders, to ensure the big robe does not rub against the ground, and also to give you a smarter look. But while doing this, be careful not to squeeze those sleeves on your shoulders. Neatly place the sleeves on your shoulders in other not to look like a rich village cocoa farmer...lol.
Your agbada is your shopfront, one of your selling points, it tells a lot about you, so if you've to wear one, make sure you're wearing a well tailored one from JohnniePeezu, and not anyone made cluelessly by the roadside.
Your agbada must be crisp, and well ironed. Always button up, and use your cuff links when applicable. Ask your tailor to fix a zipper for your trousers for convenience.
Every man should have at least a white agbada, it never goes wrong, its just like having a black pair of shoes, or a black suit in your wardrobe.
White agbada goes with a range of colours, especially golden, ash, and all other colours similar to these. Just as lilac is never wrong with purple, chocolate never wrong with cream colours. Whenever in doubt about colours, select a cool colour to complement a brighter version of the same colour, and vice versa.
Don't wear your full agbada while on a bike, you won't want to look like an ostrich attempting to fly. Fold it in your arms until you get to your venue. If you're the type that likes accessories like wrist watches, bracelets, ask your tailor to make a perfect allowance for them when sewing long sleeves.
The wrong choice of shoes or no caps can make your agbada look incomplete, make sure your shoes are nice and clean.
Almost all traditional male caps are suitable for this outfit, wear a good one with it and feel fly.
If after reading this, you still can't see the need for an agbada, or at least, if you're not full of excitement about making an order from JohnniePeezu right now, please read this article again & call me. I've a little more to discuss with you, you're so special, and I can't give up on you.
I want to believe you had a great time reading. If you do not agree with any of these statements, share your opinion in the comment section. Please write something, criticism, suggestions, anything to help me serve you better.
Thank you and Happy Independence Day
Written by :
Gbenga Adejayan
Fashion Designer and Style Connoisseur
Johnnie Peezu Couture
No comments:
Post a Comment