Elsie UdohStuck on what to wear to your next owambe, or did you get tired of always wearing the typical corporate office wear and need something to spice things up? Lucky for you, there’s a fabric that always delivers—Ankara.
Regardless of its long years of existence, Ankara continues to be a top choice in Nigerian fashion. The fabric comes in different patterns and colours, and the best part is that when you get a quality Ankara fabric and give it to a fashion designer who is good at his/her game, you can be sure to end up with an outfit that will cause people to stare and turn their heads after you wherever you go.
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Ankara styles have been redefined over the years to include more modern and trendy styles, and this post has everything put together for you. Whether you are looking for the perfect show-stopper owambe outfit, not-the-regular corporate wear, or just a comfortable outfit for everyday wear or even a date, we have all the trendy latest ankara styles in Nigeria here for you.
Beautiful Ankara Styles for Owanbe
If you are a frequent owambe goer, you already know that Ankara styles are one of the most-worn outfits, especially for Aso-ebis.
But then you should know that there are Ankara styles and then there are the “stand-out” Ankara styles. The kind that can get your picture on blogs like BellaNaija and the likes and leave people talking, and it is these trendy Ankara styles that we are about to show you as an inspo for your next owambe event.
1. Ankara Mermaid Gowns
What would you do if you saw a mermaid? Our best guess is that you’d have your eyes fixated with your jaws dropping and your phone in hand trying to catch the best shots.
Now if this is the kind of reaction you want when you walk into any owambe event (well, maybe not as dramatic), then this style is for you.
To recreate this, though, you must have enough fabric (6 yards at most, depending on your body size) so your designer won’t be limited in any way.
Here’s another mermaid gown style for you with Ankara:
This style is perfect if you want something less revealing but are still after drama.
Style Tip: You can ask your designer to use a body net with a lining fabric of the same colour to instead. This way you are not changing the style and also not showing off any part of your body. This is only if you’re not comfortable showing your skin. If not, then you’re good to go!
2. Ankara Corset Styles
If you’re after that “rich aunty” vibe and want to stand out, then this style is for you. Best believe that when you walk into a wedding wearing this (remember to go late), you’ll catch some stares and compliments from those bold enough, especially when you pair it with a well-tied Zara scarf.
Other Ankara corset styles to rock are:
These styles are perfect for naming ceremonies, weddings, and any other owambe event you have to attend.
3. Ankara Peplum Styles
You can already tell that this is not your regular peplum style. Depending on the creativity of your fashion designer, you can always redefine a style or stick with what you have, and this style here is a stellar design.
Using a bright-coloured fabric is also essential to make the style pop and accentuate its beauty.
Style Tip: The peplum blouse can be paired with a trouser for a formal or casual event. Choose bold accessories and statement headwraps (gele) to complement the layers.
See other peplum styles with Ankara for you:
Whether you’re going for a simple look or you want something that calls attention, then there is an Ankara peplum style for you.
4. Simple Ankara Owambe Styles
Here are some simple Ankara styles to wear for your owambe event:
These styles are not just simple, but elegant and classy enough to leave an impression. Remember to tell your designer to make them “snatched” enough to properly accentuate your curves and give you a proper fitting.
5. Show-stopper Ankara Styles
You don’t have to be the celebrant or host of the owambe event to “stop” the show and own the spotlight. These styles are guaranteed to do just that:
The finishing touch to these dresses is a killer smile, so raise your head high with a bright smile and take graceful strides into any owambe event like you own it.
6. Ankara Bubu Gowns
Bubu gowns have long been in vogue and continue to be a high-end outfit for owambe events.
See the trendy Ankara bubu that you can sew for your next owambe event:
The beauty of Bubu gowns is that their designs are not one-size-fits-all and can be creatively styled, so with the right Ankara combination, you will have a stunning look and give off the proper rich aunty vibe.
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Best Trendy Corporate Ankara Styles
Remember how we mentioned that Ankara is a fabric that can be worn anywhere? Well, that includes your workplace. There are several latest Anakara styles that make the perfect corporate wear. These styles are either full-blown Ankara outfits or a creative attachment of an Ankara fabric to your regular shirt and any other work cloth.
Again, when it comes to Ankara styles, a lot of creativity is needed, but then here are a few corporate Ankara style ideas that you can choose to redefine or stick to:
1. Ankara Collar Dress
Take a look at this:
Can you see how this style is giving a ten plus ten minus nothing? Exactly, that’s the kind of look that a properly styled Ankara gives to you. Imagine wearing this to work on a Monday morning. This will give you just the right confidence boost to fuel your work week.
See other corporate Ankara styles like this:
Whether you are seeking a power Monday outfit or a fun Friday outfit, Ankara styles make the best work outfit.
2. Ankara Blazers
You can also style Ankara as blazers. Here are a few ideas:
Can you see how very demure that corporate Ankara style looks? And that’s not even all:
Ankara styles make the best corporate baddie outfit or whatever impression you are trying to give off. Remember to choose and style these outfits according to your body type. Your fashion designer should be able to do a project job of that for you.
Style tip: Pair with solid-coloured tops to keep the focus on the blazer.
3. Friday Specials
These styles are strictly for Fridays, and they give a proper end-of-week vibe:
Take it from us, these styles are just right for you if you’ve been seeking a wardrobe revamp or you want to up your workwear.
Latest Ankara Styles For Men
When it comes to Ankara styles, there is something for everybody. Here are the latest Ankara styles for men that you can sew or even gift your brother, special someone, or father:
1. Ankara Tunics and Agbada
These styles will give you or your loved one a traditional yet fashionable look:
Style tip: Combine with plain trousers or caps to keep the look sophisticated.
2. Male Ankara Blazers
See our suggestions below:
Style tip: Pair with neutral trousers, and you can include high-end accessories like a ring for a classic man look.
3. Ankara Shorts and Tees
This style is perfect for casual outings. You can replace the tees with a shirt and don’t button all the way up to have a stylish look.
Where to Shop Quality Ankara Fabrics
High-quality Ankara fabrics are very essential to creating these latest Ankara styles. Otherwise, you might not be able to rock them for a long time.
Depending on where you are in Nigeria, here are some popular places to shop for quality Ankara fabrics:
| Market/Store Name | Location |
| Balogun Market | Lagos Island |
| Wuse Market | Abuja |
| Aleshinloye Market | Ibadan |
| Fabric Stores Online Like E-commerce Platforms Like Jumia; or Instagram Vendors Like “ankara_remmies.” | Nationwide |
Pro Tip: You can do a simple fabric test by putting the Ankara in water and see if the colour dims. Also, when shopping online, seek recommendations from friends to avoid getting swindled.
Additional Tips For Styling Ankara
Keep these tips in mind when deciding on the Ankara style to sew and how to style them:
- Wear Ankara dresses that accentuate your waist and flow over your hips if you have a pear body shape.
- Peplum tops are perfect for an apple body shape.
- Use a belt on corporate wear to enhance your curves for an hourglass shape.
- Opt for a flare Ankara dress if you have a rectangular body shape.
- Bold accessories and heels are top elevators of Ankara styles, so consider including them for a perfect look.
Key Takeaways
Ankara outfits are far from out of fashion. If anything, they are constantly being redefined with trendy latest Ankara styles hitting the internet, so you never have to run out of styles as far as Ankara is concerned.
Here are some final tips and takeaways from this article:
- Ankara styles can be worn anywhere from owambe events to the office and for corporate events, casual events, as well as other functions you get invited to.
- When styling your corporate Ankara wear, go for neutral colours and simple yet elegant styles with a touch of uniqueness.
- Choose quality materials with bright colours and beautiful prints to make your outfit unique.
- Remember to style your Ankara dresses according to your body type for proper fitting.
Elsie Udoh is an SEO content writer who specialises in writing engaging stories that resonates with diverse audiences. She studied mass communication at the Lagos State University.
