Do you have an ‘owanbe’ next week Saturday? Are you contemplating which style will suit you? Do you have ankara fabrics lying around in your wardrobe? If yes, continue reading.
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Ankara is a very common traditional fabric worn by Nigerians. Although, ankara fabric is mostly associated with the Yorubas, the Western part of Nigeria, all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe wear the traditional outfit. Here are 5 ways to style your ankara fabrics:
- Choose a fabric of high quality
Quality fabrics bring out the beauty of a dress without having to do much. In Nigerian market, the quality of ankara fabric is divided into three categories: small, medium and large. Just as the names implies, it connotes the varying degrees of the quality of the fabric. Whenever you want to style your ankara fabric, make sure you buy the quality ones, it will surely aid a perfect result after sewing it. Also, the color of the fabric will not wash out and the fabric will last longer.
- Choose the right color/design
Mostly, ankara fabrics are mixtures of different colors, that is one of the unique features of ankara fabrics, the splash of colors. Colors and designs play important roles in picking the right fabric. You can choose to go for bright colors or dark shades of color. The color should compliment your skin color and go with the occasion.
- Choose the right style
Some styles are more suitable for wedding while some give you the causal laid back look. Here, your body size matters. Choose outfits that compliment your body type and make sure you give your fabric to a good fashion designer or seamstress and not a ‘london tailor’ to avoid ‘what I ordered versus what I got’. Style interpretation and fitting is very important.
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When going to a wedding or birthday party, you may want to do extra with your fabric. You can sew a corset gown with a basque waistline, an offshoulder gown with paper bag sleeve, a clutching dress with a mermaid silhouette, and so on. While for a causal look, you can opt for a baggy jumpsuit, a pencil skirt with front zipper or a kimono jacket.
- Use embellishments
Don’t hold back while designing your outfit, but be careful not to do too much. It has to be the perfect quantity and quality. You can use different embellishments on different parts of your dress. Your embellishments should blend with your style. The placement of the embellishments on your outfit is very important, infact ‘importanter’, it either gives you the classy, boss lady vibe or the trashy vibes.
- Pay attention to details
When styling your ankara fabric, especially for wedding and other glamorous events, pay attention to every single detail, your makeup, necklace, earrings, bracelet, bag/ purse, shoes and every other thing. Your outfit should give an overall satisfaction. Everything you wear with or on your fabric either makes it look classy or trashy. Now that you have all the tips you need, it is time to incorporate it into that fabric. Yes, that ankara for Warisi’s wedding or Chiamaka’s introduction, or maybe to your new job on Friday.
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Featured image source: Workroom Social
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