Fashion Accessories – JSS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (Third Term)

Fashion accessories are smaller items worn or carried with main clothes to make an outfit look complete and attractive.

• Main clothes: shirt, gown, trousers, skirt.
• Accessories: beads, head ties, belts, bags.
• Cake example: the cake is the main food, and the icing and cherries on top are the accessories.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define fashion accessories.
2. Name four common accessories in Nigeria and state their materials and uses.
3. List the rules for choosing the right accessories for an outfit.
4. Explain how to care for beads, head ties, belts and bags.
5. Make a simple beaded bracelet.

Why do people wear fashion accessories?

People wear accessories to improve their looks, show their style and, in some cases, show their culture.

• Beauty: they make a plain outfit look special.
• Style: they show the taste of the person wearing them.
• Culture: some accessories, such as coral beads, show tradition and royalty.
• Wealth: costly accessories can show that a person is well off.
• Use: some, like belts and bags, also do a practical job.

What are the types of fashion accessories?

Four popular fashion accessories in Nigeria are beads, head ties, belts and bags.

1. What are beads?

Beads are small decorative objects with a hole for threading.

• Materials: plastic, glass, wood or precious stones such as coral.
• Jewellery: used to make necklaces, bracelets and anklets.
• Royalty: in some cultures, such as Edo and Igbo, kings and brides wear coral beads to show royalty.
• Decoration: used to decorate clothes and shoes.

2. What is a head tie (gele)?

A head tie is a piece of fabric tied around the head.

• Materials: firm fabrics such as Aso-Oke, damask or sego.
• Matching: worn to match traditional wrappers (iro).
• Occasions: worn to weddings, church services and funerals.
• Effect: a well-tied gele works like a crown and makes a woman look elegant and tall.
• Use: it also keeps the hair in place.

3. What is a belt?

A belt is a flexible band or strap, usually made of leather or heavy cloth, worn around the waist.

• Practical function: holds up trousers or skirts that are a bit loose.
• Decorative function: “cinches” the waist to make it look smaller.
• Colour: adds a pop of colour to a plain dress.

4. What are bags?

Bags are accessories used to carry personal items and also to add style to an outfit.

• Handbags: usually carried by women for daily use.
• Clutch bags: small bags without handles, used for parties.
• Backpacks: carried by students to hold books.
• Matching: people often match the colour of a bag with their shoes or belt to look “coordinated”.

What are the purposes and materials of each accessory?

The table shows the main purpose and common materials of each accessory.

How do you choose the right accessories?

Choose accessories by wearing only what suits the outfit, the occasion and the colours.

1. Do not overdo it: with a very big necklace, wear small earrings so you do not look “too busy”.
2. Match the occasion: a shiny party clutch bag is wrong for school, and a school backpack is wrong for a wedding.
3. Check the colours: an accessory can be in the same colour as the clothes (monochromatic) or in a different colour that stands out (contrasting).

How do you care for fashion accessories?

Good care makes accessories last for years.

• Beads: store them in a soft pouch so they do not scratch or break.
• Head ties: fold them neatly after use so they do not get permanent wrinkles.
• Belts: wipe leather belts with a dry cloth and hang them up so they do not crack or peel.
• Bags: stuff them with old newspapers when not in use so they keep their shape.
• Keep them dry: water can make metal parts rust and leather parts smell.

Class practical activity

Students make a simple bracelet and then identify accessories around them.

Creativity task: make a bracelet

1. Get thread and plastic beads (or dried seeds with holes).
2. Cut a piece of thread long enough to go round the wrist, with extra for a knot.
3. Thread the beads one by one, using a pattern of colours if you wish.
4. Tie the two ends of the thread firmly.
5. Try on the bracelet and show it to the class.

Discussion

• Task: look at your teacher or a classmate and name three accessories they are wearing.

Evaluation

1. Define “fashion accessories” in your own words.
2. Mention two materials used in making beads.
3. Why is the gele important in Nigerian traditional fashion?
4. Give two reasons why we use belts in fashion.
5. How should you store your handbags to make them last longer?

Assignment

1. Choose one outfit for a wedding and one for school.
2. For each, name two accessories you would wear and give a reason for each choice.