Owambe style guide

Gele styles

A gele is the head tie that finishes an owambe look. The right one frames your face, balances your outfit and makes the photos.

These are the shapes you will see on the floor, and some practical advice for wearing one all day.

Styles to know

Sego gele
A firm, sharply folded gele in stiff fabric. Clean lines and a lot of height, popular for weddings and formal events.
Fan gele
Folds fan out to one side like a wing. It is dramatic, so keep your neckline and jewellery simple.
Butterfly and rosette
Soft loops or a gathered rosette sit on top or to the side. Lighter looking, and easier on the neck.
Double-layer gele
Two fabrics or colours layered together, often matching the outfit and the aso ebi trim.
Pre-tied gele
Shaped in advance and fitted like a hat. A good choice if you do not want to depend on a gele tyer on the day.

Book your gele tyer early for busy wedding weekends, and agree on the style with a photo.
Check the fabric: stiffer fabrics hold a shape better, softer ones drape more easily.
Mind the heat. A thick gele in a packed hall can get heavy, so choose size sensibly.
Tell your makeup artist you are wearing a gele so they plan your brows and earrings around it.
Bring pins, and ask the tyer how to keep it secure if you dance.

Post your outfit from the next celebration, tag the people who made it, and let your friends give you their Hype.