Women, fashion and the evolution of nudity

As fashion evolves in the Nigerian society, ADEOLA OJO reports that the penchant for validation, especially on social media aids the evolution of nudity and what constitutes fashion among women.

Daily, fashion continues to take new dimension; indeed, it has evolved to a level where less clothing is the norm and parts of the woman’s body that used to be regarded as private are now seen as normal body parts that are exposed by trending designs for females. Indeed, nudity is the new normal, especially among female socialites and celebrities.

This trend crept gradually into Nigeria’s fashion scene, particularly among women attending social events, it is becoming increasingly common to find women adorned in outfits so revealing that there would be no difference if they appeared in their underwear.

Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are awash with images and videos of ladies whose choice of dressing has continued to spark heated debates, often overshadowing the very purpose of the events they attend.

The new normal seems to be the less, the trendier. Before now, fashion among Nigerian women was synonymous with elegance, decency, moderation and grace. Clothes were chosen not only to enhance beauty but also to uphold a sense of pride and respectability, but the tide appears to have changed and the current wave sweeping through Nigeria’s fashion space seems to equate excessive skin exposure with style and beauty.

Consequently, clothes that once modestly highlighted a woman’s elegance have now been replaced with see-through dresses, plunging necklines, backless gowns, and figure-hugging outfits that leave little to the imagination.

And for many, especially women in showbiz, boldness in dressing has become a pathway to self-confidence, online validation, and social media buzz. And the society seems to have lost its moral compass when it comes to dressing as women, even wearing inappropriate dresses to highly cultural events such as traditional weddings, in the presence of elders and children.

The question thus will be, can the woman’s breast be considered a private part and what parts of the body can be considered private to prove indecent dressing? How did society arrive at this point? Is this trend truly the future of fashion or a clear sign of moral decay and cultural erosion?

Without doubt, the influence of social media and celebrity culture is a great enabler; many Nigerian public figures have embraced and promoted daring fashion choices which have become a blueprint for what constitutes fashion. And most fail to realize or consider the immense impact of their choices on impressionable followers and what may be intended as a personal fashion statement can send the wrong message to a generation trying to find its identity.

Implications beyond morals and fashion

Dressing speaks about one’s personality more often than not than many people realize. And while the womenfolk complain about being treated like sex symbols; misjudged, harassed and disrespected in society by men and undermined when serious issues are up for discussions, some of these are due to how they present themselves publicly.

According to a fashion curator, Bolu Aina, “the fact that the current woke generation considers decorum unfashionable does not translate to the fact that modesty is no longer important and a relic of the past. We still have young people who still employ moderation even as socialites and figures, though they are small in number but the truth remains that each person’s upbringing will come into play.”

Importance placed on societal value, he said, seems to be the major issue, rather than modesty being a thing of the past, he emphasised that “many people still dress appropriately, and a lot of women still value their self-esteem. The biggest issue right now is the degree of our societal value. While some people believe that displaying a little skin is acceptable, others believe that no skin should be on display at all. The degree of modesty varies by location and what each individual is exposed to or the kind of circle you move in.

“I will say that feminism has provided a platform for many women to dress irresponsibly, citing the freedom to wear whatever they choose on the ground that it is their body. The current trend of not being able to talk so you won’t be labeled a hater or accused of body shaming others is one of the issues we have. Gone are the days you can say your mind and you won’t be attacked or poverty shamed. No one wants to be trolled.

“This is based on the current feminism/equality mantra being embraced by everyone. Everyone claims they want to have distinct personalities with the freedom to do whatever they want and this has contributed to the current moral degeneration in society. Everyone is lawless; we dress shabbily and call it ‘being in sync with oneself,” Tolu Agabi, a counselor stated.

The truth is that the breakdown of societal value system, including the desire by the younger generation to copy Western culture, is the root of the problems. The trend is as a result of our deteriorating social value system, which is mostly caused by emulation of western culture and the propagation of immorality by our entertainment sector, (most of the time, musical videos). Such indecent dressing at parties is quickly becoming the norm, and I believe it stems from a desire for attention and a desire to stand out or be different. Even those that used to be modest now join the trend because the craze for human validation is so much in today’s society, people want to be seen as the trend setters and hailed by a particular set on social media, this is the root of throwing modesty to the wind,” Olu Amoo, a public commentator stated.

And while it may blow and penetrate all corners of the society, fashion trends are transient; it doesn’t stay forever and should not erode the values that links and define what defines us as a people.

Nudity isn’t fashion and a woman can be stylish, attractive, and confident without baring her body because true beauty transcends physical exposure and it resides in character, intelligence, and how one carries oneself.