Hey wedding lovers and brides-to-be, have you noticed how the ankara turban is trending in Nigeria as a glam headwrap for occasion and casual wears? We’re so loving it because, it’s not every time that one feels like tying the regular sego gele or making infinity pleats and layers in front for a flamboyant ‘onigogoro’ Gele style. Sometimes a woman needs some slack or an excuse to wrap her head in a simply-chic turban, sort of free-style. Right? The ankara turban headscarf is just easier and quick to tie than the traditional Gele. However, to do a fashionable turban-style ankara headwrap to a special occasion or wedding, you need style inspiration AND simple video tutorials to watch and practice with – that’s what we’re bringing you in this post. So, get your piece of ankara wax fabric, scroll down and watch the step by step demo tutorial of how to wrap a turban with ankara scarf fabric .
Video #1: 5 Different Styles to Tie Ankara Turban Headwrap (Tutorial)
Video #2: Big Front-Knot Ankara Turban Headwrap Tutorial
What You Need: Ankara / Wax Print Fabric – from 2 or 3 yards and more (if you want a bigger turban). Oh, by the way, you can use any type of ankara to achieve the African turban head wrap style – the dutch wax print (vlisco hollandais, woodin), uniwax, daviva, hitarget, ABC wax… anyone at all would do.
ALSO : How to Tie Nigerian Velvet Turban – the Ready-Made Cap Turban and the Fabric Type
Fun Ways to Rock a Nigerian/ African Ankara Turban
Tie an Ankara turban scarf on an ankara gown or skirt-and-blouse;
Wear it on denim/ jeans to turn up your casual wear
Tie your ankara turban on an office or church outfit – trad or English wear (just be sure to find a matching or complementary colour Ankara fabric to go, or use the same exact material if you’re wearing an Ankara gown or skirt-and-blouse or Ankara wrapper-and-blouse)
Can you wear Ankara turban headtie to a wedding or an owambe party or with an asoebi outfit ? Absolutely, yes, you can draw inspiration from the pictures below of Tiwa Savage in this picture picture of women wearing ankara turban
MORE: Learn How to Tie Ascot Gele (Video Tutorial Steps)
Turbanistas: Top Ankara Turban Gele Fashionistas
Every Nigerian women, in fact every African woman, has plenty Ankara wax print in different forms and styles, and there’s always a piece of fabric reserved for tying a Gele, and so we’re loving this new Ankara in turban style currently making waves on Youtube, Instagram and Pinterest. The above video tutorials will show you how to do beautiful ankara turban head-wrap styles.
When I think of ankara turban gele, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie comes to mind. Ankara fashion turban head-wrap has become one of her signature look everywhere she goes (Nigeria or abroad) and whatever she wears (native or English wear). That babe reps Naija 24/7, and we love her for that. Lupita Nyongo and Solange (Beyonce’s sister) occasionally step out rocking Ankara turbans. These Fashionista looks amazing in the tribal head wrap. Arewa/ hausa babes are also top on the wearers of Ankara (atampa) fabrics – we love them because atampa is a big part of the Hausa asoebi (for women) and bridal fashion. Our arewa fashionistas also love this Ankara turban fashion trend. Hellooo, every African woman loves adding fresh new style to their headtie game.
MORE: Learn How to Tie Infinity Pleats Ankara Gele (Video Tutorial)
Ready-to-Wear Ankara Turbans (and Where to Buy them)
Do you know that the ankara turban is now available in neat, ready-to-wear form? Yes, it is and sold by Abeke Makeovers (check them on Instagram and on their website) – they come in a lovely box and easy to tie just they way you wear a cap, and they ship Worldwide to buyers. Some other Nigerian Gele artists also have the ready-made version of ankara turban, but Abeke Makeovers has some of the best. She calls her ready-to-wear headgears ‘autogele’.
Did you also know that ankara wax fabric is known ask kitenge, chitenje or khanga in some African countries. From this side of the World you’d think that people everywhere call ankara wax print by the name ‘ankara’.
So, if you are invited to a wedding, and you don’t want to rock the regular Gele, now you have a simpler and quicker alternative. That’s it on this tutorial on how to tie the ankara turban gele head wrap – ensure to replay the video and practice some more until it sticks. Now, leave us a comment below to tell us what you think of these new styles of tying gele we’re seeing on stylish wedding guests.
Photo Credits: Instagram/@abekemakeovers | @nhn_couture | @poshbelle__makeupstudio | @officialstephperez | @arambemakeup