What I Wore to a Nigerian Wedding + How to Avoid a Bad Tailoring Experience In Lagos

Being a Yoruba-Nigerian, weddings are an exceptionally important part of our Culture. Firstly, in the Yoruba culture, when there is a wedding, most of the time, the family hosting the wedding and or their friends choose what is called aso-ebi (some sort of “uniform” for the occasion). Secondly, a Yoruba-Nigerian do not just attend weddings, we attend them in grand style. Thirdly, we have so much fun at Nigerian weddings (in general) with so much to eat, drink and great music to dance to.

I have been in Lagos for my Brother-in law’s daughter’s wedding and this is one of the outfits I wore for the ceremony. Yep, in this post, I will be sharing the details of the look with you and I will also be sharing how to avoid a bad tailoring experience with you….

By the way, I have more wedding outfit posts coming your way but for starters, do check out:

How to Stand Out & Be a Show Stopper at a Wedding

Outfit of the Day

For my look today, I was wearing a customised skirt and blouse designed and sketched by myself for a tailor who then did the sowing. The look was made out a lace fabric sourced and bought from a Lagos market called Balogun.

The outfit was made into what we call “skirt and blouse”. Basically skirt and blouse in every context or culture.

The blouse is an off the shoulder one with bell sleeve with frill details on the hem of the blouse that mimics the neckline of the blouse.

The skirt is a form fitting six pieces floor dragging skirt.

Finally, the Head Gear or Head Tie (gele) was made out of silk aso-oke (a lush woven fabric) tied into a nice modern style.

I finished the look with a gold embellished pair of very comfortable heels and voila, my Nigerian wedding outfit of the day.

By the way, this is one of the many ways we dress up to a Nigerian wedding. There are more traditional styles people wear. Gele (the head gear)is a traditional piece worn by most Cultures in Nigeria to weddings.

My Make Up, Gele and Pictures Were Done by Precious – Will Update her Instagram Handle Soon – Highly Recommended (she was highly professional and quick) – saw her work first before using her  

How to Avoid a Bad Tailoring Experience (especially in Lagos)

Remember when I went to Lagos the last time, I made some customised fabrics and I shared them with you. Those ones were flawless. Now, I have a not so good experience and I will be sharing that with you just to caution you…..

Mistakes do happen, we can’t rule that out but they can be prevented especially when it comes to making your customised outfits. I can bit around the bush in this post but I will go straight to the point based on my bad tailoring experience in Lagos…..

So, there was a little hi-cup on the tailoring of the fabric worn in this post but I had to think on my feet by looking for an express adjustment for the cloth for me to be able wear the outfit on the day of the wedding as it was the only one I made provision for.

Here Are My Tips to Avoid a Bad Tailoring Experience 

1. If Using a Tailor for the First Time, Be Sure to Check Their Work

This Tailor was recommended to me by word of mouth. In hindsight, I should have looked at their works and records before committing to working with them. I acted on sentiments (guys, don’t do it). This would never happen again on my part. So, before you commit to any Tailor, make sure to check their work profile.

By the way, in Nigeria, there are no rules or laws binding any Tailors. So, if anything goes wrong when you commit to working with a Tailor, you are on your own. While some Tailors will work with you till you are happy with your customised or made to measure tailoring, others will make it look like it is your fault for their own mistake. This was my experience with this fabric. Please, look well before you leap.

2. It is Okay to Pay More

There are a lot of very well established Tailors who make great customised clothing in Lagos and in Nigeria in general. These ones have work profile and a lot of times their work can be found online – on social Media platforms like Instagram. I personally believe you do not have to pay more to get more but when it comes to tailoring, you may have to pay more to get what you want. It is better than paying less and getting stressed out and getting what you do not want. 

My own personal Tailor have a space that is worthy of doing business in. She is professional too, from taking measurements to making the garments. Although she charges more, she delivers what she promises. In my humble opinion, to avoid bad tailoring, it is best to pay more and get what you want than pay less and get stressed out.

3. Give Yourself Enough Time to Make Your Outfit

In my own case, for this particular wedding, I left things till last minute because I wanted to source and buy the fabrics myself so I do not get surprises. After buying my fabrics for both outfits, I chose two Tailors – my real tailor and a new one recommended to me so my outfits can be ready for both days – the engagement party and the wedding.

I dropped the engagement outfit on Tuesday evening with my own tailor and by Wednesday, it was ready and perfectly made.

This one, I dropped on Tuesday morning to collect on Friday morning but it was not well made. Some adjustments was done but to no avail, so I had to look for a 24-hr rescue for the pieces. Thank God the adjustments was done and all and I could use the clothes……

Please, if you can, give yourself enough time to make your outfits. It will prevent you from stressing, cost you less money, time and you can be sure you have what to wear for your occasion….

4. Test Run the Tailor 

It is possible that you do not have a Tailor already or are trying a new one. If you are trying a new one and you have the time, test them by giving them a very cheap fabric to make for you first and see what happens. If it goes well or needs a slight adjustments just in fittings, they may be the one to use, if not, do yourself a favour and politely, find another Tailor. This will save you disappointments and waste of your precious time.

While mistakes can happen, you can prevent bad tailoring experience by trying all or some of the above.

So, that is my Nigerian wedding outfit of the day and how to avoid a bad tailoring experience. We learn everyday and this time, I learnt a good lesson to look very well before leaping.

I want to thank you so much for stopping by and for reading. Have you ever had a bad tailoring experience and what did you do? Please do share your experience with me below.

Stay Awesome. God bless YOU.

Mojisola

Happening in Lagos Nigeria – Ist of June

THE USE WHAT YOU HAVE – GIFTED FOR A PURPOSE LIVE MASTERCLASS

Come join me and our experts
Business & Personal Finance Coach – The Smart Sola Adesakin of Smart Stewards
Coach Tunji Babajide – Life Coach Extraordinaire – CEO of Awesome Effects Consulting.
Social Media Guru & Strategist – Olumide Lawrence of Glowville Communications.
Venue: Simply African Place, Fola Osibo, Lekki Phase 1. Lagos.
Time: 11am sharp – 4 pm
Date: 1st of June 2019.
Registration: N5,000 only (covers attendance, 1-2-1 with Coaches. Payment to – 0151178815. GTB Bank.
For further enquiries, please call myself on 09082391836

See you there.

This event is open to both men and women. Thanks very much. 

Lots of Love,
Mojisola