Fashion gains and pains- pt 2

There are several problems associated with fashion and its world and also ways to curb them. (Read part 1 here)

I was watching television the other day and my friend said the problem of fashion is that it never lasts long. She had joked that she wasn't given enough time to wear her dress before it became obsolete and we all laughed. It seemed funny but it's true. Diligent and hell bent following of latest fashion trends is somewhat stressful and money consuming. Take an example the Hermes Birkin. It's an 'it' item for any girl who considers herself as a religious fashion trend follower. The least an original Birkin costs is $10, 000. Just one Birkin would put more than a lot of holes in the pocket of a student(if they can afford it) or a middle/low income salary earner in Nigeria.


Following fashion encourages bullying, as people who seem to not care if they have on a 1584 clothing are laughed at and called 'dorky'. The things dogmatic fashion following cause... (sigh). The only way to solve this is to cut our coat according to our cloth and also try to bear in mind that not everybody can afford any form of Birkin.

It is also noticed that some Nigerians prefer Western fashion to their native wears for they see the natives as 'out of fashion'. This should not be so and our native styles should be promoted as it is what makes us unique and who we are. Our different Nigerian cultures are rich and varied and so helps in the spice. It is beautiful and should be encouraged. It is good to be fashionable, however there should be simplicity and respect for self dignity. This is the true evergreen fashion. There should be knowledge on where to draw the line. Only a caveman follows any trend, even those that strip him of his dignity just because he wants to stay fashion forward.

Several people also do not know when and where to wear certain clothes. This is a very common mistake. Example is seen in some college students. Some of them wear too short and ill fitting clothes, others probably think it cool and okay to wear their pants low to expose their boxer shorts(just like they had just come out from taking a poop). College students should desist from bad dressing as it's a school where they are meant to study. Leave those 'Suzy tight dresses' and 'Mummy I just took a poop pants' for the night club.

We are responsible for the problems created by fashion and we control these problems by sheer discipline and self control. I'm not a fanatic when it comes to trends and I don't believe being fashionable has totally to do with trend following.You should share this view too if you are a student or worker with very limited finances. We should learn how to live within our income and be content with what our money can buy but most of all try to look decent(let your superego be the judge). Fashion can be a good slave or a bad master, don't allow it to be the latter.

Have you been a slave to fashion? Do you think the average Nigerian is a fashionista? Do share your thoughts with us!