allure 07 October 2018

5
Decades
The ‘60s saw the
rise of colourful
printed shirts
worn by men
with two or three
buttons left
opened. This
shirt, paired
with bell-bottom
pants was a
great combo at
the time.
It’s been 58 years of Nigeria
existing as a nation; years that have
etched indelible marks of pain and
suffering on its citizens. While
political and economic evolution
has been chequered, how has
fashion evolved in the country in
the past five decades?
In the following pages, ‘Vanguard
Allure’ takes a retrospective look at
trends - from the time of
Independence, through the
swinging ‘70s to the rock and roll
years and the trend now; for many,
a sense of de javu?
60’s
FASHION
Of Fashion:
1960-2000
BOOTLEG TROUSERS
Bell-bottom pants were a
hit in the ‘60s and every
grandpa right now probably
rocked this trend in
their 20s and 30s
After Independence in the 1960s,
Nigeria was largely still influenced
by the British way of dressing
but its culture still found ways to
express itself. As the country celebrated
its 58th Independence Day,
we take a look at some fashionable
trends of the ‘60s and those that
influenced the trend of the following
decades.
A-LINE DRESS
The A-line dress was a major influence of
colonial rule in Nigeria as it was adopted
whole heartedly by Nigerian women. Fitted at
the top and cinched at the waist, it flared out
in A-shape, showing off the woman’s figure.
It was a no-brainer for women at the time. It
was certainly a head turner.
PLATFORM HEELS
This trend drew no lines for gender as both
men and women rocked it. It was a popular
trend as it was balanced enough to make
one look comfortable and fashionable.
KITTEN HEELS
Knee-length
iro and buba:
Popularly known as oleku, young
ladies rocked this trend in the ‘60s;
worn as fitted knee-length iro and
over-sized buba. This trend has
evolved to midi and now maxi
length. Once popular among the
Yoruba, the iro and buba is now
a trend worn by women all over
Nigeria
October 7, 2018 / 3