Fashion in Alero

Fashion in Alero is influenced by several factors, including vague formality-related traditions, personal preference, difference between urban and rural lifestyle, and by the diverse origins of its people. Casual attire is most commonly worn, but formal and traditional styles are also worn depending on the occasion. Clothing incorporates a variety of colors, fabrics, and embellishments (often beads). Many of the component cultures of Alero wear styles that are unique to their tribal society and customs. Aleris of all backgrounds wear bright colors, especially men from the Abuda and Bidu groups.

History
Some of the oldest surviving textiles in Alero were discovered at the archaeological site of Kissi in northern Alero. They are made of wool or fine "short" animal hair including dried skin for integrity. Historically, textiles were used as a form of currency in the region since ancient times, as have accessories such as jewelry, beads, dyes, and more.

Textile weaving
Stripweaving, a centuries-old textile manufacturing technique of creating cloth by weaving strips together, is a common characteristic of weaving in Alero. Stripwoven cloths are made up of narrow strips that are cut into desired lengths and sewn together. Believed to have been introduced by Manuak traders from the north, the technique spread southward and into Casare through Alero. Raphia fiber from dried stripped leaves of raphia palm were commonly used in Alero, since it is widely available in low-lying coastal areas. Other fiber materials included undyed wild silk used for embroidery and weaving, as well as barkcloth from fig trees used to make clothes for ceremonial occasions. Over time most of these fibers were replaced with cotton. Textiles historically were woven using vertical looms.

Weaving is of great importance to all cultures in Alero. The Abuda liken spinning and weaving thread to human reproduction and the idea of rebirth. The color of cloth is often of significance and is representative of specific qualities and attributes. For example, men are generally seen wearing brighter, more extravagant colors, as it as seen as being fit for their sex, while women were more muted and understated ones. Often, textiles in Alero can be regarded and used as historical documents. Cloth can and has been used to commemorate many persons, events, and even political causes.

Dyeing
Dyeing is the main method of coloring cloth. The trading of dyes has taken place in Alero since the beginning of recorded history, with pigments such as indigo having a long and rich history in the country. Rarer, more expensive dyes signified wealth and abundance for the house that controlled them. Natural dyes such as vegetable and mineral dyes were widely used including blue from indigo. Other natural dyes include Morinda brimstone tree for yellow, white from kaolin clay, black from charcoal or black clay, brown from mud, and red from camwood. Some dyes like camwood need to be heated before use. The camwood is grated into a powder, then boiled before adding the fiber to be dyed. However, other dyes like the Kola nut do not need heat. Resist techniques such as tie-dye, stitched and folded resist, wax batik, and starch resist are typical dyeing methods used to introduce patterns and color on the cloth.

Embroidery and beadwork
Embroidery is used both for decorative and functional purposes. Embroidery techniques, such as buttonhole stitch and cut-pile embroidery often have intricate effects that are a result of the skill level and final pattern design used. For example, hemmed katwa is a simple technique still used today where raphia cloth pieces are cut into designs and sewn onto the base fabric. The decorative pattern depends on the region and the imagination of the embroiderer. The Bidu use non-figurative patterns representing proverbs while the Abuda use figurative weft patterns also representing proverbs. The Khadrami introduced rows of holes lengthwise in the woven cloth strip. Beadwork is common in Alero across various groups, classes, genders, and identities.

Traditional garments
Clothing in Alero usually revolves around casual attire due to the nation's hot climate. However, there is always traditional or formal attire which varies depending on the occasion.

The Abuda people located in Alero's coastal regions are famous for their fine beads and textiles, which they sometimes use as an expression of social status and personality. Their style of dress is considered the wealthiest of styles; the Abuda are regarded as being a vibrant and colorful people, even among Aleris. Common accessories other than beads include raffia work, anklets, and bangles. Coral beads are common accessories for men, worn in the hair and on clothing or jewelry. Men wear pants and knee-length shirts called gigun, which have white collars and multicolored fabric. Men as well as women wear shawls, although different styles are worn for different occasions. When attending worship, weddings, or funerals, men and women are both expected to cover their heads with a heavy shawl called an ofurufu. However, for more casual occasions, a lighter shawl known as a tinrin is more common. Abuda women wear dresses traditionally, but more forward thinking young women are commonly seen wearing pants as well. Women's clothing in Alero tends to come in more muted colors than men's, commonly being white, black, gray, or beige. However, women of high status are still often seen wearing exotic patterns and striking colors as a symbol of their or their family's wealth and status.

While still vibrant by international standards, the Bidu peoples of inland Alero tend to dress in more muted tones than their Abuda neighbors. Men wear a wide-sleeved robe called a bakin, introduced from westward migrations originating from Nzandi. Bakin are worn as a three-piece set; an open-stitched full gown, a long sleeved shirt, and Bidu trousers (trousers that are slim along the ankle). Another popular men's garment is the jasana, a pullover shirt that may be long or short sleeved. Bidu menswear often has striking patterns, as well as bright metallic gold buttons linked by a chain. Bidu women commonly wear multi-layered outfits along with veils for both cultural and practical reasons. The bangaro is a scarf-like two layered cloth made of cotton worn by Bidu women across Alero, as well as some Abuda. It is very thin and delicate, with the texture of gauze. It has only two layers and is quite large. It is typically white with intricately woven borders, and can be worn many different ways. For general wear, it covers the back and shoulders, and the border is folded up over the right shoulder. When attending worship, however, the two layers are opened and the border goes over both shoulders. When the border is worn around the face or shoulders, it is a sign of mourning, but in moments of leisure the border goes over the left shoulder. The girgiza is a traditional garment worn by women; it is a leather skirt worn over one's regular clothes made from the hide given to her by her betrothed. Her accepting the hide is her acceptance of the proposal, and her wearing the skirt is her way to show the community that she is now engaged.

The Khadrami peoples of Alero display a fashion that can be considered a fusion of Manuak and local influences. One such example is the aso, a turban traditionally worn by Khadrami and Bidu peoples. Worn across the head and neck, it is very similar to certain turbans still worn in Agarad, but is wrapped differently to the traditional method. This leaves the sides of the head and some of the lower neck free. Once common throughout Khadrami society, today it survives mostly among the nomadic Bidu, as well as for important occasions in Khadrami culture such as weddings, rites of passage, or inauguration of social leaders. Historically, Khadrami men wore robes called agal, which were ankle length with long sleeves and no collar. However, as Alero's Khadrami population becomes increasingly urban and continues to adopt more Abuda norms, these traditional styles have become increasingly diluted or have disappeared entirely.