What’s wrong with wearing your Cultural/Native outfit to work
I’ll tell you what’s wrong and why you shouldn’t?
As a Yoruba girl from Nigeria, in West Africa, it is paramount that my style shows my background. I know some of our design prints can be super colourful. I have been able to style my clothes with a blend that you would almost think I am wearing ready-made imported clothes, if I didn't tell you I sewed it.
Wearing African-inspired or themed cloth to work is essential to me, as it helps me retain my identity. I feel more confident in my African clothes at work. When I was in a corporate role, I wore African prints at least once a week in person (I was in the office 3 days a week), maybe more, as they were my go-to outfits for WFH days.
When I first started sewing dresses for myself, I frowned at the idea of blending fabrics and patterns. However, I soon learnt there is beauty in combining different textures and colours. ‘No fabric is an island, they need each other’ 😁 *tailor's dad joke*.
Wearing an African-inspired cloth to work is a way for me to share my culture, albeit unspoken, with my colleagues. Maybe even more, during our lunch breaks, as we discussed my style and simple sewing patterns. Some of them wanted to know what the African fabrics meant. We would also talk about the possibility of them getting into trouble if they wore similar outfits, and that they would, curiously yet genuinely, ask whether it was offensive for them to buy and wear African prints.
Wearing cultural pieces definitely makes you chatty with your colleagues. Tomorrow is Friday, you might want to dig into your closet if you are physically going to be at work and wear something that reminds you of home. Fridays are not only for jeans 😉.
Photo Description: Timi wearing the Yoruba Iro and Buba in powder blue colour sewn from a sheer lace fabric. She has the Jawu style Aso-Oke adorned on her head and across her arm. The Yoruba people call that 'Ipele'.