Everyone (Except You) is Wearing Agbada!

Wearing clothes borrowed from the boys has never been so hot. There’s something innately chic about channeling masculine style and doing it with a feminine edge. One of the hottest men’s wear trend women are wearing is the Nigerian Agbada. Agbada is nothing new, as women and men in West Africa have been wearing it for years.

Agbada is the Yoruba (a tribe in Nigeria) name for a type of flowing wide sleeved robe, usually decorated with embroidery, which is worn throughout much of Nigeria by important men (and women now), such as kings and chiefs, and on ceremonial occasions like weddings and funerals. The Hausa (another tribe in Nigeria) name for the robes is Riga.

It is a four-piece attire that is also found in other parts of West Africa such as Benin. It consists of a large, free-flowing outer robe, an undervest, a pair of long trousers, and a hat.

Agbada is a very sophisticated attire that’s exudes importance and elegance all at once. And if seen on a woman, this elegance hits unimaginable levels. It’s a style our female politicians should borrow as a break from their boring skirt suits. It’s also the perfect style to try when you are out to make a statement. Many African women are already wearing Agbada like a uniform.

How to wear your agbada like a fashionista

This a traditional attire ‘borrowed from the boys’ so it’s important to wear it like a fashionista. Here are a few rules.

Don’t wear a hat. Yes a hat completes the look, but you’re woman. Your hair should be your crown to complete this look. And, if you want to do a headpiece, let it be something feminine like a head wrap. Feel free to do a pixie cut or an updo to add a feminine edge to the look.Wear heeled sandals. Or basically just shoes that show off your feet or ankles. It could be heels or flat men’s wear shoes without socks.Don’t wear beads. Men usually add a regal edge to their agbada with a beaded necklace. That doesn’t mean you should.Have your agbada tailored to fit. This an oversized style of clothing that’s tricky to wear, especially for a fashionista. The trick is to have the agbada cut to fit your size and body shape.Accessorize. Feel free to accessorize the look with a wrist watch or anything in a shimmering shade like gold or silver. Don’t over accessorize though, keep it as simple as possible.

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