Heritage Essay: Nigerian Men's Fashion

Nigerian men are unarguably some of the best dressed men in the world. A bold statement, but true nonetheless.

The fashion sense of the average Nigerian man is rooted in his sense of identity, his place as a ‘Man’.

It’s nothing strange or cryptic for him, it’s inherent. Deeply embedded in culture and tradition. And that’s where it begins for every Nigerian man. It’s not new, difficult to call it recycled even. It’s evolved but never lost its DNA.

The Congolese were inspired by the French during WWII. What they saw was too irresistible for them, I mean, you honestly can’t blame them. But the Nigerian story is different, it simply is, has always been.

Credit - British Museum | PD:1894-1908

Visit a Nigerian museum and look at pictures from 50,60,70 years ago. It stares right back at you, impeccable ‘Drip’. It has transitioned over the years, but at its core, it still revolves around the same idea, identity.

Different regions of Nigeria have so much to offer, all so similar but each still finding its niche.

What’s the day to day like? It’s casual, comfortable and personal. Weekdays are never over the top. Bordering on each individual’s job specification, but trust Nigerian men to be cheeky with it. It’s important to note that individuality is a major pillar in the Nigerian fashion scene. One of the most influential proponents of why it works.

And so, these cheeky men never fail to exploit this pillar.

Weekends are where the magic happens. Go big or kindly and urgently go home. Even the dearly departed ancestors make a show as they inspire the modern man. They live on through the vivid and rich fabrics, the masterful embroidery, signature headgear, intoxicating perfumes and polished leather. This is where past meets present, invoking an endless sense of nostalgia, while simultaneously inspiring the future of fashion and drawing awe from all around. At this, the ancestors give a nod of approval. Acknowledged.

New trends are always welcome, never shunned. It’s the same DNA, constantly redefined and reimagined, of course it feels familiar. However the Alté movement shook everyone. It was bold, unfamiliar, too daring. It made a statement, it was here to stay. Opinions didn’t matter, and everyone understood this, because the creativity of the movement exploited the cardinal pillar of individuality. A compromise had to be made. An unspoken rule.

The location would determine the expression and that was the end of that.

The critics who scrutinized the movement did take note of something that many would later come to realize. The Alté movement represented the inevitable, the passage of time, and with it, a change in culture and traditions. The beautiful ones had been born. The new generation were here and they would effortlessly be acknowledged. The ancestors would groan but still reluctantly nod, after all, it was still an expression of their identity.

Photo: XIXE Magazine Archives | Father of XIXE founder

Accessories are a must. It’s always fun to notice the silent competition of who has the biggest dial, ignoring the dull discomfort on their wrists. Personalized, flashy, traditional, cliché; it was all accepted without hesitation. They tell stories of status, identity, sexuality and spirituality.

He wears his identity close to his skin. It’s for everyone to see. He does not hide it. He knows that times have changed and he accepts this. He sees an extension of himself in these changes, never to become a stranger to this world of unending expression that he has always known.

His colors boast loudly all around the world, at local and international festivals. Unafraid to challenge the European streets and its foreign pillars, he sets up his own foundation. He is a fashionable Nigerian man and this is his lifestyle, his dogma.

*Nigerian men's fashion heritage*