Iro and buba is a traditional outfit worn by Yoruba women in the southwest states of Nigeria, while the women in the Eastern part traditionally settle for blouse and wrapper. The Northern women however do not have a special attire except during their traditional festival.
Iro and buba is a loin cloth made with African print or Ankara, lace material tied around the waist (Iro) along with a long sleeved top (Buba). This traditional outfit worn by female Nigerian adults has been in existence since 1950s to the early 80s and this style is gradually becoming old fashion. In fact the Iro used to be wrapped around the waist like a mini-skirt back then, as a symbol of the liberation of women. At some point, the style became seen by young women as “old and achaic”.
By 2013-2014 the well-known regalia sprang back into fashion and became modernized into various trending styles among ladies
Today, the Iro and Buba have a fashionable twist to it as they come in various styles and fabrics. It is no longer news that young ladies today prefer to use their expensive lace materials to sew elegant skirts and blouses, blouse and 'iro skirts' , boubous than the traditional long buba and iro. No matter how hard you try to convince the younger generation, they will still opt for designs in dresses, skirt and blouses .
However, as time evolves, the wearing of iro and buba has come to stay, the way and manner it's been worn may differ from generation to generation. One school of thought is of the opinion that their "happening wears" will ever remain in the iro and buba setting no matter how things change, while the other school of thought prefers to go with whatever is in vogue. This school of thought said they are willing to sacrifice their old iro attires to befitting skirts and peplum blouses, others even said they don't mind adding tails and belts to their iro to make it look trendier than the traditional design.
Speaking with Mrs. Gbemisola Akanbi, she said she loves to sew her expensive lace materials and other trending fabrics into Iro and buba, she added that she likes to appear big, bold and beautiful at occasions she attend.
"I'll go for the short buba anytime because it is smarter. It also allows you to show off your wrist jeweries like bangles, wristwatch etc. Unlike the long sleeve buba that covers everything.
Honestly speaking, I don't see the long sleeve buba going out of fashion.You will agree with me that fashion revolves, it might come to trend again anytime soon. Besides, the elderly women will still go for it. But as for me, I prefer to sew oleku iro and buba with my expensive fabrics for two reasons, firstly, I gain weight quick and sewing skirt will mean that I won't be able to wear the clothe until I'm able to shed the weight off. Secondly, Because I don't want to sew a style that I'll later not like, so I feel more comfy in Oleku. I don't have to wear body magic to look fit before wearing it. So, I love it" she said.
" Whenever I buy my materials, either velvet or lace, I make sure I sew two different types of bubas , I do the long traditional hand and the oleku style, the remaining goes for the wrapper, usually my wrapper comes with bows so I can rock my attire well.
I actually have nothing to lose, anytime oleku is no longer in vogue, I switch to the long hand buba, so that's it, no pain no gain, the only thing I sacrifice for having two 'bubas' is the scarf which I don't normally use.
On the contrary, "it is more convinient, smart and stylish and basically a fashion trend that can never go into extinction, moreover, iro and buba is our traditional 'abalaye' outfit. We are still coming back to our traditional iro and buba though modernized. What do I mean by mordernized? it means there will be some alterations in the buba, the hand may not necessary be longer than our hand. The length of the hand will stop just before the wrist, for me, all my expensive fabrics are sewn in modernized iro and buba and not oleku. I tell you, I feel so satisfied, classy, girlish and bold when I come out in style with my trendy buba and iro. Even though my iro is never short, my iro is still sewn traditionally, I feel so good and cute" says Mrs Titilayo Ajayi.
By and large, having a suitcase full of various fabrics used to sew the iro and buba style is a must on the list of things required from the groom by the bride’s family at the traditional marriage.
Till date, the box is opened during the traditional wedding ceremony and checked properly to ensure that the groom bought enough clothes for his bride which must include various materials.
Iro and buba is a style that gives you that “ thick madam look” and makes you command respect among men and women any day anytime especially at big parties.
As the fashion industry in Nigeria is improving and different styles are evolving day by day, the Buba top is also not left out and has also been re-invented to give today’s women a more sophisticated look in the traditional way.
The buba has moved from being a simple free size round neck top to a more stylish top to make Nigerian women look super sexy and sophisticated! Sewn to fit by the sides with various neck designs like the high neck buba, cowl neck buba, cape buba, lace-edge neck buba, Mono-chrome neck buba, off -shoulder buba etc.
The list of fabrics you can use to sew iro and buba is endless; from all sorts of lace fabric, to chiffon, Ankara, silk, georgette, brocade, cotton fabric, adire, velvet, chord, sequence to mention a few. Whether you prefer the traditional design or the trending oleku or short buba is all a matter of choice!
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