Fashions. Wears. Baffs.

Three words, one meaning.

Nigerian fashion and pop culture is arguably one of the most widely recognised on the continent, and for good reason. From our celeb fashion (have you seen Ayra Starr and Rema lately? It’s serious), the global popularisation of “Detty December” (why was the whole world in Lagos last year December?), and Tems, Grammy award-winning mother of many, when it comes to what’s hot, Nigerians are usually at the front, snacking on puff-puff.

So, it’s 2025, things are happening, and we have to stay on job, right?

What can you expect Nigerian hotties to wear this year? Why were people wearing tablecloths (that nasty gingham) last year? What trends are we setting on fire and reducing to ashes in 2025?

As someone with a slightly more than passive interest in Nigerian fashion and pop culture, I think it’s crucial that you know exactly what I think this year is going to look like – and exactly what we are saying Adieu Mama to.

Unlike your sweet grandma, these trends won’t be missed.

Fashion Trends Nigerians Need to Let Go Of

Overly Expensive Ready-To-Wear Nigerian Brands

Let’s be so for real. Who is paying ₦200,000 for a pair of Aso-oke trousers, Sir? Why is one bubu ₦175,000, Ma? I hope we are all aware that a dollar is ₦1700 and petrol is trying to do to-match.

In a country where most earn below ₦100,000 monthly, Nigerian brands are apparently blind, and with the rise of thrifting and vintage fashion, I predict people will soon fully leave these exorbitant prices in the dust.

Chop Chop, dear. 

Psst, House of Naya makes gorgeous dresses that won’t cause poverty. You’re welcome.

The Quiet Luxury/Old Money Aesthetic

Quiet Luxury and its sister, the Clean Girl Aesthetic were all the rage in 2023 and parts of 2024, with classically modest silhouettes, designer (or designer adjacent) pieces, and muted, neutral tones.

Credit: Pinterest

It piggybacked off the saying “Money talks, but wealth whispers”, and it was global.

But, with Nigerians now more than ever revisiting and revamping the styles of old Nollywood and the continued rise of alternative (Alte) culture, this muted, quiet aesthetic is almost… boring.

Where is the personality? The bling? The swag? Who cares about being quiet in 2025?

We want to shout.

Looking Perfect – On Social Media and In Real Life

We’ve come a long way from the days when social media was a casual, fun thing where people posted random pictures of their day with silly goofy captions.

Nowadays, social media, a source of livelihood for many, is portfolio-esque – a curated collection of oh-so-perfect moments, filtered, staged and optimised to a high gloss for general consumption.

This has inevitably influenced how people present in real life. Everyone wants to be social media-ready.

I predict this year we will see the layers recede just a bit.

Things won’t go back to the happy-go-lucky energy we once associated with Instagram, but – amongst many other things – Nigerian youth are tired of trying to seem perfect, and there is something appealing and relatable about documenting, maybe even romanticising, the gritty, loud and chaotic reality that is being Nigerian.

So, post that mirror selfie, dear. Who cares that the wall in the back is peeling? They should come and fix it for you.

Gingham Print

Credit: Pinterest 

Look. We are leaving picnic-core in 2024, please.

This pattern had a small moment in the last year, probably with the rise of more conventionally feminine trends like tradwife and mom-core, where everyone was suddenly obsessed with being a traditional woman.

Gingham will fall off because there are more interesting and vibrant patterns Nigerian youth can explore and incorporate into their wardrobes.

When there’s cheetah print and stripes?

Sorry, Ging, you’re just not it anymore.

Normal looking glasses/frames

Credit: Pinterest

Are you seeing a pattern forming?

The vibe is reinvention and an intentional departure from convention.

The vibe is how much intrigue I bring to the function with my outfit.

The vibe is not the classic wayfarer frames, and it’s definitely not fully functional.

The truly fashion-forward know that accessories can make a boring outfit sing, and a pair of interesting glasses – reading, seeing, sunnies, or otherwise – are exactly what a “normal” outfit craves.

Remember the tiny glasses trend that swept from 2019 to 21? While those might look a bit dated – and kind of tacky – now, the idea remains.

Make seeing stylish again.

Amen.

What Fashion Trends Are In

Old Nollywood Swag Mod(ern)

Unless you live under a rock, you know there’s been an old Nollywood resurgence. The chunky metallic belts, the parachute pants and jeans, the feathered braids, the snapbacks, the stylish Iro and Bubas…

Credit: Ashley Okoli – /ashh.ok

And with every resurgence, there’s a twist because copying trends from a different era without changes can come across as costume-ey and cliche.

This is why old Nollywood will continue with modern pieces and silhouettes this year. 

From styling choices, patterns, fabrics, and specific accessories.

Think y2k shoulder bags with a contemporary monochrome outfit, the dated skinny jean and a sleek, structured jacket, a timeless cheetah print mini-skirt paired with a tracksuit top.

It’s new but not, it’s effortlessly cool, and it’s cheap.

Thrift X Fits and Kansrestyle are the perfect places to jump ahead of this trend.

Swag is back, thank God.

Supersized Patterns/Motifs

I said Nigerians want to shout this year.

Credit: The Orange Nerd – /theorangenerd

Patterns of some sort will always have a place on the table, and this year it’s West African-inspired, large, spaced-out motifs on plain material.

Think tie and dye.

I’m already seeing designers hopping on this trend, and it eats on trousers, shirts, co-ords, totes, jackets… because it embodies the traditional West African love of patterns, but has a contemporary air to it.

Visit the Anka Marketplace or check out Dye Lab to get your hands on something big (patterns, duh).

I wouldn’t be shocked to see it on suits, ties and even more formal wear before the end of 2025.

Natural Hairstyles

Credit: Pinterest

I think natural hairstyles – think all-back, shuku, patewo, locs – are coming back this year for a couple of reasons,

• Wigs are more expensive than ever.

• Braids (with attachment) and sew-ins are also expensive, time-consuming and hard to maintain/keep fresh.

• Natural hairstyles are different and pay homage to a simpler, more relaxed time for many Gen Z.

Slap some beads on the end and you have yourself some nasty movement/drama on that hair

Best part? It’s way cheaper than all the alternatives.

Well, apart from shaving your head.

Super Chunky Metallic Jewellery

We need to hear you coming before we see you, dear.

Credit: Simply Sayo – /simply_sayo

The antithesis of quiet luxury; big, shiny, almost tacky-looking jewellery is coming in this year. No one cares if it’s a precious metal, no one cares about your alluded net worth.

Think 2019 Met Gala camp. 

Is it big? Is it shiny? Is it saying something? 

If the answer to at least two of these questions is yes, then you need to get it.

Where? Ornate Jewelries and Goldstiche. 

Textured Clothing

When I flashback to Lagos Fashion Week 2024, specifically E.S.O by Liman and Y’wandelag, I can almost reach through my screen (someone, please get me an invitation) and feel the fabrics as they walk the runway.

Credit: Y’WANDELAG – /ywandelag

Ruffles, ribbed material, leather, tassels, lace/mesh and even draped chains all gave the looks a more hands-on, textural component I’m beginning to glimpse in 2025 already.

Think eyelet lace shirts, silk trousers, sheer gowns, and fringes. 

Think texture, feeling and intrigue through textiles.

Think Dukun, and Ore Akinde.

Free yourself dear, fashion is wearable art.

Where To Discard The Old

Now that you’re looking down your nose at your old clothes, here’s what to do with them.

Donate them to the less fortunate

Send them back to your hometown, give them to family members or siblings, or check out places like Food Bank Lagos, and The Ovie Brume Foundation to find out how your old clothes can make a difference

Sell them

If you love keeping up with trends and cycle through a lot of clothes yearly, what about making a side hustle of it? Other people can fall in love with them while you make some Nairas.

Win-Win, hm?

At the end of the day, the clothes we wear have a direct connection to how we want to present.

For some, it’s not that important – I definitely can’t relate, but sure.

For others – us – it’s a big part of how we navigate the world.

This is why we pulled out all the stops to sew together The Unapologetically Opinionated Fashion Index.

Unlike Nigerian tailors, we don’t disappoint.

 

You have at the very least, a passive interest in fashion.

That’s why you’re here.

So, what trends would you like to see dead in a ditch, and which would you like to see rising to the top?

Are there any older trends you want to see revived?

Tell us in the comments, let’s give Deola Sagoe a run for her money!

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