Fashion, in Nigeria, in times past, had always been largely determined by the culture that was dominant in that particular area. However, things changed with the introduction of western culture through colonialism. Rotimi Ige, in this report, examines how Nigerians have dumped their cultural trends forwesternisation.A trip round the states, most especially, the higher institutions of learning in Nigeria is always entertaining. One is given an opportunity to see different cultures that are peculiar to each area, the different languages and most especially, various modes of dressing for each environment.One thing that is however, most visible in most areas is the gradual dominance of western culture. This is peculiar mostly among the youths of the society who were noted to appreciate the western fashion and style.Observer have, over the years, decried the gradual encroachment of the western culture, exposing the society to the positive and negative effects that come with it.Womens fashion, today have grown to a level where the exposure of undergarments become the order of the day, not only among young girls, but also among women.It is no longer surprising to see a fully developed woman wearing eye popping and revealing cloth exposing her private and vital areas.Though, according to style experts, it is described as the expression of a womans confidence and individuality, social critics beg to differ, as they say that it is a sign of obvious low self esteem.In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, some Nigerians bare their minds on the new trend of fashion in the society.Habiba Bagudu, Civil Servant: Perhaps the greatest absurdity in the crime of fashion, labelled indecent exposure could also be labelled size abuse when garments of child size are worn by people of grown-up size, but the worst of all is the butt crack attack. In cities like Abuja, it is hardly an oddity anymore since the market place has become a runway for the indecently exposed breasts, which appear to be overflowing the bank of the bra. It goes on and on.Gbenga Omojola, Banker: I think it is an anomaly for a lady to expose her supposed private parts for public consumption. It is the height of indecent dressing. Women who dress in that way are only lowering their self esteem.One thing that I am sure of is that, no responsible man will ever take a lady that exposes her underwear seriously. The act screams, I am cheap! I will advise any lady who is in her right senses to desist from such show of shame or else, they might become victims of their own undoing. What annoys me most is that some ladies flaunt the stretch marks on their skin which is a complete eyesore. I dont think I will respect anyone who flaunts her private parts.Busola Abake, Beauty Expert: I am sure that the act of flashing your undergarments does not give us ladies any touch of respect. I detest it baje baje! It can be frustrating. For me, any lady who think that they are being fashionable by showing their bra and pant lines, should have a rethink. The media is not helping. Our supposed role models in the entertainment industry are not living up to expectation. They should help our youths to grow.Mrs. Taiwo F. Adekoya, Business woman:Parents are to blame for this bad trend. The holy book says, Train your child in the way of God and he/she will not depart from it. Our children, from a tender age, should be trained on etiquette and composure, especially for our girl children. They should be schooled on sex education, when they come of age, and most importantly, parents must be good role models.If parents themselves do not show good character, or attire themselves in respectable outfits, then the children will copy them because, as they say, charity begins at home. I would enjoin all parents to sit up and retrain their wards so that they can be responsible and upright citizens in the society.Tolu Adeyemi, Pharmacist: The society is to blame. We have gradually come to accept the recent fashion of anything goes and we pat the people who propagate the fashion on the back especially the so called stars in the entertainment industry.I was watching a Nollywood movie sometimes ago and I was dismayed by the flagrant display of private parts by some actresses. Their breasts were so exposed, that the cameraman had to divert his attention from the lady in question to the man she was speaking with. Also, you discover that most ladies wear low neckline tops and low-cut trousers such that when they stoop or bend down, there undergarments and private parts are exposed. You need to see them when they attempt to enter any car or bus, even okada! Some shameless men wait for any opportunity to catch a glimpse of these ladies breasts and other parts when they attempt to board or alight from vehicles. It is an eyesore and potrays a decaying society.Toyin Sowemimo, caterer: It is a show of low self esteem and lack of adequate parental upbringing.How would any right thinking person expose her undergarments and private parts when she was not in the confine of a private area or in the presence of her husband. You find out that such women are products of broken homes or are under influence from peers or the media.It is saddening that a lot of our youths, in a bid to gain acceptance, copy nearly everything they see on television. They have upturned African fashion such that there is barely any difference.Such ladies find it hard to find suitable suitors and are mostly seen by men as easy prey. Whatever is termed private should be made as such.Tope Akinola, Doctor: I meet a lot of women who find some parts of their bodies unsatisfactory.Sometimes they complain that their breasts are not big enough, other times, its their nose. Many sociallyaware ladies, subscribe to the use of contact lenses, tummy-tuck operations, eye-lid lifts, breasts lifts to mention a few. Such women will definitely want to flaunt their assets after they had undergone medical operations to modify their bodies. However, this is alien to our cultural beliefs.Sometimes, there are dangerous complications which arise from all these operations which could lead to loss of life. So, the question that I ask my patients is, Ís it really worth it.
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