Asooke ----How it compliments your dressing !!!

In English, the words "aso oke" mean top cloth. Both men and women wear this fabric on their heads, or as gowns. Aso oke are also known for their fabulous colors, patterns, and designs. There are three different varieties of aso oke that Yoruba women wear: alaaria, a very rich in red aso oke, sanyan, a brown toned and sometimes tan aso oke, and etu, an aso oke that is dark blue. Aso oke appear in everyday fashion, as part of formal wear, and even in special events such as weddings and holidays. Often appearing with aran, aso oke fabric typically consists of brownvelvets with concentric designs. If you are searching for assistance in buying and tying an aso oke, there are a few things you should know beforehand.

Choosing Your Aso Oke

Aso oke, also known as "gele," generally appear on the heads of African American women, particularly Nigerian women. The aso oke they wear on their heads are either red, brown, or blue. Not only does aso oke cloth come in solid colors, but many other contain overlying patterns and designs. Some aso oke are sold online, but there are plenty of fashion stores in Nigeria selling them. When shopping for your aso oke, keep in mind what the colors or patterns are, and how they are going to appear on your head when you wear it. A solid colored cloth and a striped cloth are both going to look different on your head when folded on different angles and in different directions, so note that sometimes simpler patterns do just fine.

Spread Out the Aso Oke

The first step in tying your aso oke is simple. Spread out the entire piece of fabric. Next, tie the fabric around your forehead like you would with any other typical head scarf. Adjust the forehead portion of your aso oke accordingly. If you are going to be moving, dancing, or turning your head often while wearing it, wrap the fabric around your forehead tightly. If you are going to be mostly lounging at home, a more loose fit around your forehead should hold the aso oke up just fine. The best length of fabric for a novice at tying an aso oke is a medium length with a minimal amount of texture.

Tying the Base

For your aso oke to come out looking in tip top shape, it must have a nicely folded base. Take the two ends of your aso oke while your forehead is pressed up against the fabric, and tie it into a knot behind your head. After your knot is tied, take the remaining material that is hanging from the left side of your head and begin rolling it from the back of the headscarf to the front. Do the same thing for the material on the right side of your head that remains unwrapped.

Tucking in the Ends

After you are done rolling the ends of your aso oke around your head from back to front, tuck in the ends of the remaining fabric. Tuck in the tails on opposite ends; this prevents them from falling loose. Attempt to tuck in the ends with as little pressure as possible, as you do not want the aso oke too tight around your head. As soon as you finish tucking, adjust the front and back of the aso oke to ensure that it is resting in the most comfortable position on your head. Only make adjustments where they are necessary. You do not want to try to fix a step you did in the beginning only to have your whole aso oke fall apart. If you are having trouble keeping your aso oke in place, try using bobby pins to clasp areas of cloth together for a firmer hold.

___Courtesy eBay.com