Shopping: Unique Nigerian Fabrics
I went with my Aunt to a very big market in Lagos to purchase some Nigerian fabrics. One thing I learned was that the more stones the fabrics had, the more expensive it was. In fact I didn't know that there are pieces of fabrics that are really expensive, I have been used to regular shirts or just cotton, polyester material, and nothing more. All my life, I'm not sure I've really worn anything so expensive. It's not my thing, I prefer simple cotton materials that are mainly just comfortable, no matter how cheap they are, provided they look good.
I used to have a cousin who wouldn't buy clothes if the price was quite affordable or cheap. He'd think it wasn't worthy of his status. At first, I thought it was because he was earning way more than I was, but when I found myself in that level of affordability as him, I still found myself preferring cheap clothes and footwear, especially if they were good, how cheap didn't really matter to me.
Maybe it was humble beginnings or just the fear of going broke. However, on special occasions, people would spend money on clothes even if it's way out of their budget. My aunt says it's because ceremonies aren't every day and when you're doing one, you must've spent to look your best. I do not agree. The reason is that I don't have a fling or vanity for clothes.
While there are people who would spend everything they have to impress others and make a statement, I think life's too hard and money is hard to make to just spend it at the behest of things to wear. However these fabrics are beautiful, I've never seen anything like them, maybe it's because I never really go to events, weddings, graduations, anniversaries and so many others. (Health issues and mainly because I'm an introverted person, again I'm not so because I completely want to be) The fabrics are graded and while I'd like to have the most beautiful on the lineup, my aunt and I only went for the medium prized ones.
.As someone from the Eastern part of Nigeria, I think we have the costliest set of clothes, and this is because I have worn the clothes of other tribes and it wasn't as expensive as what we got on this lineup. I could not believe that they cost so much and for people who are aiming to buy a lot, they'll be spending a fortune. It's good to spend money on the good things in life, a lot of people have this notion.
I feel it's mainly vanity, not because I can or cannot afford it, I just feel like what we mostly like to spend on as humans is not really important or necessary to guarantee our happiness hence spending so much money wouldn't be worth it. Nevertheless, it's custom, that nobody takes you seriously when you attend occasions not wearing something expensive.
There's this preferential treatment given to people who wear expensive clothes and cologne. However, it was an eye-opener for me. There are so many things that are very expensive in life, human clothing is one of them and it is a big and thriving industry, but they're beautiful, and whoever can afford anything expensive, then by all means. Money is meant to be spent anyway.
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I totally agree with not spending so much for clothes.
I mean if it's within your budget and it looks nice thats just fine.
The truth is nobody cares .
I see people who go to the club's dressed up all nice and their accounts are red.
I also agree that clothes from the eastern part of Nigeria are expensive
Isiagu, the original one.. the price can be shocking
That is the truth. If it's within the budget and looks very good then why not?
However, Igbos loves to dress to make a statement and not just because the piece is good, I can attest to this a lot of times. It's only something I can do if money is overflowing everywhere, but then I wouldn't really do that on second thought.
The clothes of the Igbos are expensive, I didn't even know this before now.
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I agree with you on this, but I really hope to see you wear materials like this one day and see how you look like a father figure😀. Buying cloths is something we can buy and a lesser price and still look good in it and also I am not a fan of buying expensive clothing before I look good.. which market is this in Lagos?
This market is at Oshodi. I didn't know there before now, my aunt led the way. I hope to wear someday, by God's Grace and God willing too.
Sure I would be hoping to see you when you wear that. Oshodi is a big place where you can get diverse things. At least she made you know somewhere new now
I feel it’s not about being humble or fear of being broke but maybe you’re not the type who takes clothing seriously. You just want to wear something that will look good on you and that’s all.
For me, I love to buy expensive clothes but due to the little I’m earning now, I can’t afford to buy the clothes I want so I still go for the ones that are a bit expensive
Oh I used to take clothing seriously, but yes, you're right, nowadays, not anymore. I just take my bath and put on anything that goes. I guess we place priority on things differently as life revolves and changes
In Nigeria, ceremonies often lead people to overspend on clothes and accessories to create the illusion of wealth. While I understand the desire to present a good image, borrowing money for such events seems unwise to me.
Well that's what it is. Ceremonies makes us happy in this part of the world, so sometimes people just spend, they say that they want to prove that they're not poor
I'm also that type, no much minded about what I wear, costly or not so far they look good on me. But still there's a reason they are costlier, it means they have more quality than the cheaper ones, though that's not the case all the time. Just keep doing your best to look good and when you have the money for the high priced ones go for it, that's totally OK. Have a nice day.
Sometimes it's not even about the quality of a material, some people just wants to show that they can afford expensive clothes. Sometimes costly might not even mean quality.
"Looking good is good business" like some people say and they wouldn't mind spending their last to buy the most expensive fabric just to show off.
Of course, there are sayings that justifies excessive spending on clothings.
Of course, there are sayings that justifies excessive spending on clothings.
Sometimes, it's status signalling when people come to ceremonies wearing really expensive clothes. Over here, some female elders see it as a way to reinforce their class on the social hierarchy. For me, I often see expensive fabrics as something fancy that draws attention, which is why I hardly prefer it.
It's probably in Africa that people see clothing as a way to show status or a form of social status market, I don't think it's the same anywhere else, as there are extremely rich people who don't even dress in expensive ways.
Very true. It mostly happens in this part of the world, I just hope the newer generation don't overly get influenced by it.
Who needs expensive brand name clothing? A waste of money if you ask me. I like affordable stuff that lasts me a long time so I'm not having to buy more stuff! But then again if you work hard to earn your money you won't want to waste it. I understand you completely!
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Some people here prefer expensive clothes, especially during occasional stuffs. Sometimes there are some who just choose to wear expensive stuffs to show how rich or wealthy they are. It's a class thing.
I'm just here, slipping in and out of my thoughts, sometimes it's fair, sometimes it's bad.
Money is to be spent on important things and not to impress people. Nigeria Economy is not smiling with anybody, We are currently experiencing inflation because most of does cloth are imported. this create more demand for dollar instead of Naira.
It's a tough debate for clothes but I generally prefer the cheap ones. I think those expensive cloth and clothes are just for the wealthy. I tend to avoid those stores.
I prefer cheaper ones too, I don't think they essentially mean anything, if anyone choose to wear cheaper clothes.
Yeah I’m with you on that. Spending lots of money for clothes is foolish. It needs to work, be comfortable but also affordable. It’s silly to spend exorbitant amounts of money to wear something rarely. When I got my suit for my wedding, we got it at a sale price and it was affordable. That’s the way it should be!