Women
Fashion Trends On Campus
Cloth is something we
put on everyday, but when it comes to choosing the proper outfit to match or to bring out new styles, a fashion spirit becomes invokable. In campuses of various tertiary institutions of learning, different fashions are exhibited and divergent fashion views expressed in students daily attires.
As new things come out everyday, one thing that has stood out in the fashion world is change. We are bombarded with new fashion ideas from music, videos, books; even musicians and celebrities influence our fashion.
However, the big question is, ‘what percentage of African culture is sampled or highlighted in our fashion, especially in campuses?
Obviously, fashion has gone beyond what we ordinarily think of it.No one can tell how the short skirts and boots worn by teenagers in England in 1960 made it runways to Paris or how the ripped jeans became so popular among the male and female folks in Nigeria’s campuses.
Imagine the flay pants popularly known as Fela in the early 1990’s coming back into the fashion world in another creative style. Students on campuses these days make fashion statements with simple embroidered brocade, short top aso-oke, designed Ankara, eye glass frames without lenses, torn jeans and many more.
Some undergraduates spoke to The Tide about their styles.
A 400 level student of History and International Relations, Federal University, Otuoke, Judith Nnamaka, told The Tide that fashion is all about comfort and personality. She also said that at times, people that have been so addicted to fashion tend to move from its comfortability to just looking good. A girl can deny herself food for some-days just to wear a particular outfit to a particular event.
“I wear clothes depending on the occasion.Fashion is choice depending on what you want. I get my fashion items online, stores, dealers. It doesn’t need to cost me much to be fashionable”, she said.
A 200 level student of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Aribiba John, said, “choice inspires my dress sense; I like wearing jeans with sneakers and mostly short gowns. I get my fashion items from boutiques and it doesn’t really cost me much, it just depends on what I want and can afford”, she said.
For John Paul a.k.a Finest Boy of the Federal University, Otuoke , his dress sense is inspired by the love to look different, unique and in a good way. He likes trying out new things and doesn’t always follow trends that are too popular.
He also gets his fashionable items from anywhere and with a good combinations and maintenance, he looks good on it.
A 300 level student of Mass Communication, Abia State University, Ijeoma Gbufor, said she “likes to appear real and casual. I like jeans and top, I like the ripped jeans, that is what is trending now. Money na im dey cook better soup. For one to be gorgeous, you have to put in for it; I don’t need to spend much, my comfortability matters and I do most of my shoppings in Port Harcourt”, she said.
An upcoming artiste from University of Port Harcourt, David Eniniyong sees being fashionable as looking good. In his words, “as an upcoming artiste, I wear clothes to express myself and I tend to emulate the hip hop Nigerian musicians,” he said.
According to David, western world has eaten deep into the fashion industry, thus, most students prefer the western fashion to our local Nigerian wears.
“The trending fashion in UNIPORT for both male and female is the rough jeans and it still makes us look good”, he said.
However, for Rachael Green, a 400 level student of English and Communication Studies, Federal University, Otuoke, the stylish Ankara designed outfit remains a great delight anytime any day.
“I am more or less indigenous, I love the African stylish trends. For me, I don’t need to spend more to look beautiful. I wear clothes to look good and I do my shoppings in Port Harcourt and Aba,” she said.
Racheal’s dress sense is inspired by top model, Ronke Fela.
Also, a 300 level student of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Daniella Fiberesima, said that uniqueness matters a lot in dress sense.
“I am not the fashion type but I like looking good. I like wearing canvass and a simple outfit probably jean to match because I feel comfortable in it. I go for the lesser prices and sometimes my uncle sends the expensive ones to me. Naturally, I don’t like flat shoes, it looks flat on me”, she said.
A 400 level student of Sociology and Anthropology, Federal University, Otuoke, Bello Edward, told The Tide that being fashionable differs in individuals. Bello said that apart from wearing clothes that suite him, he also puts on fashionable clothes for people to admire.
“I don’t go for trending wears, and I love the English wears than the native ones. I don’t wear clothes based on occasion. As far as it is good on me, I go for it”, he said.
A 300 level student of Theartre Art and Film Studio, University of Port Harcourt, Charles Wokem, said during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, there was nothing like torn jeans, rather there was this gorgeous flay pants popularly known as Fela accompanied with high heel shoes, but this 21st century, people tend to go for new innovations.
Charles said fashion has gone beyond what we ordinarily think of it.
“The dimension of fashion on some campuses is such that some university guys buy new pairs of sunglasses and pull out the lenses and now wear holes on just the frame. This makes them look good and it draws attention, although this style of wearing eye glass is ridiculous and comic”, he said.
Howbeit, Charles’ dress sense is simply inspired by being neat and appearing gorgeous. I like what is trending and colourful. Naturally, l look good and unique in English and traditional attires. Simplicity is my own tag”, he added.
Nwabueze and Wordu are interns with The Tide
Chinenye Nwabueze & Elvis Wordu
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
