Igbo dress culture and costume

The evolution of clothing, influenced by environment and resources, has significantly shaped cultural identities. Dress and costume serve as powerful visual communicators of individual and cultural heritage. This study explores the rich dress culture and costume of the Igbo people in South-Eastern Nigeria. It aims to articulate the nuances of Igbo attire, identifying core traditional garments for men and women, and to unravel the influences shaping their sartorial expressions. The research highlights the unique blend of age-old customs and contemporary trends defining modern Igbo fashion.. Employing textual analysis of scholarly works, cultural resources, and visual depictions, the study examines historical and present-day Igbo dress, focusing on recurring motifs, symbolic meanings, and the impact of external forces. Findings reveal distinct traditional attire: women wear puffed-sleeve blouses with two wrappers (George, Ankara, Abada, or Akwete) and headscarves, while men wear "Isiagu" tunics and "Okpu Agbara" headwear with trousers or wrappers. Despite Western influences, Igbo dress culture showcases a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity, reflecting cultural heritage with global appeal. Igbo dress and costume are therefore vital expressions of identity, embodying a rich history and a vibrant interplay of tradition and modernity.