The Wrap-Up
I’m the girl that plans out hairstyles weeks and months in advance (especially if I plan on wearing braided styles or weaves). When I’m giving my natural hair a rest or just running low on time to style my hair, I often turn to head wraps. Head wraps are one of my favorite accessories because they not only add an interesting flair to any outfit, but they can be beautiful, vibrant, and colorful adornments for your hair worn and styled in many ways. I wear them while running errands, out for a night on the town, or frolicking around at the beach. I generally prefer African Ankara prints that are common in West African culture. These Ankara prints are often made in colorful patterns with tribal-like motifs that tell stories of the people, personalities, special occasions, villages, and sayings as a means of communication to the world. This done so that the history and culture of the people is not lost and carried down through the generations.
In Houston, we have a large West African community and I always ask my Nigerian and Ghanaian friends for Ankara to make my own head wraps. One of my favorite stores in Houston to get African fabrics is called Choice Accessories Houston. They have some of the most beautiful and colorful African prints around.
The Wrap Life and CeeCee’s Closet are NYC based companies that also sell some of my favorite West African head wraps. Most of my head wrap collection comes from these merchants. Both companies sell uniquely designed head wraps that are 100% cotton and CeeCee’s Closet even supports local artisans back in West Africa. Because these head wraps are 100% cotton, we know that cotton can pull and break natural hair, so I wear a silk wrap or bonnet underneath. I like both companies because the wraps come hemmed and lined and some are even silk-lined for the protection of your hair.
I’ve linked some of my favorite head wraps below from both sites in the event you want to add some pizzazz to your next outfit or you’re just planning on giving your hair a little break!
