Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, let me give you a little recap of the p happenings in Nigeria right now. Nigerian youths are fighting back!!! Yes, you heard that right; it’s been a week of non-stop protests in several states in my dearly beloved country, and there are no signs that there are any signs of it slowing down just yet.
The Nigerian youths are asking the government to ban the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Nigeria that has been the cause of so many deaths, tears and sorrows in many Nigerian homes. And so the #EndSars hashtag has been trending for the past week. That’s not what we’re talking about in this article, but just in case you’ve been living under a rock okay?
This article is actually talking about what you’re wearing to the several protests happening not only in Nigeria, but across the world (what, you forgot Nigerians are everywhere?). For real though, if you’re going to be going on a protest you need to dress not just appropriately but comfortably. And I’m here to help of course; I’m your fairy godmother.
Comfort is KING
Generally, standing or even sitting for a long time in a space can get quite uncomfortable so you need to pre-empt this and dress as comfortably as you can. You shouldn’t be dressing to go to a protest in that shirt that itches after a few hours or those jeans that slouch in the middle and start to make your thighs chafe. It might seem like pretty basic advice to give, but you’ll be surprised at how much people don’t know about dressing for comfort.
A protest requires certain level exercise, moving around and just generally keeping active; and so, you have to prepare for that and dress accordingly. Here’s where your comfy yoga pants or leggings, your broken-in sandals/sneakers, lounge pants or favourite comfy pair of jeans come in. Tweak it however you want to make it unique, but first BE COMFORTABLE
Dress for the Weather
You know this season in Nigeria is that unpredictable season where it just starts to rain without warning, so please check the weather forecast before you pick an outfit. If it promises sunny skies, be sure to dress in a shirt lightweight enough to absorb sweat. Now is not the time to wear rayon or nylon fabrics; cotton and breathable fabrics are the way to go. And don’t forget the hat/face cap to protect you from the sun.
And if it’s going to rain, get yourself a lightweight slicker or raincoat. And if you have a foldable umbrella, put it in your bag as well. Don’t forget the boots as well, because you don’t want muddy feet that start itching after a while. Oh, and the jacket too to protect you from the cold. A jean jacket will do just fine in this situation, comfy but protective too.
Makeup at a Protest
I would think this would be a non-issue, but let me tell you regardless that it is quite pointless to go to a protest with a full face of makeup. You’ll sweat, you’ll shout, you’ll rub your face from tiredness; so having a full face of makeup is just quite bothersome. Unless you really can’t do without it, in which case that’s on you.
Additional Tips
- Use a perfume that’s not cloying, but strong enough to last a while. You don’t want to start smelling like a wet towel after a few hours in the sun.
- Have a small bag of essentials with you. In this bag, you should keep a pack of tissues, a tampon or two, or sanitary pads if you prefer, a face towel, some snacks, a bottle of water, any medication you need (analgesics are good as well), a power bank, your charger, and a little bottle of body oil (protesting isn’t an excuse to look ashy).
- Stay safe always. Abide by Covid-19 protocols, use a face mask, and practice social distancing.
And now you’re protest ready. See you at the next one?
Ameenah Oke