How to Tie a Head Wrap: 4 Easy Styles

October 13, 2026

A head wrap takes two minutes and changes an entire outfit. It protects your hair, covers a wash day you did not have time for, and turns jeans and a t-shirt into something deliberate. If you have ever bought a beautiful piece of fabric and then stood in front of the mirror unsure what to do with it, this guide is for you.

Choosing the right fabric

The fabric decides how a wrap behaves, so start there:

Ankara cotton holds a shape well and keeps its structure all day. Best for sculptural styles and tall crowns.
Satin and satin-lined is the kindest to your hair. Satin does not draw moisture from strands the way cotton can, which makes it the better choice for daily wear and for protecting edges.
Velvet is heavier and reads as evening. It drapes rather than stands up.
Jersey and knit stretch and grip, which makes them the easiest for beginners.

Ankara cotton head wrap in a bold African wax print — Ankara cotton — structure and height.

Satin lined turban that protects hair and edges — Satin lined — kindest to your hair.

Velvet turban headwrap for evening wear — Velvet — drapes, reads as evening.

As a rule, a square scarf of about 36 inches, or a rectangle of roughly 70 by 25 inches, gives you enough length to tie properly. Anything smaller fights you.

Before you start

Three small things that make every style below work better:

Protect your hair first. If your fabric is cotton, consider a satin bonnet or scarf underneath, or choose a satin lined turban that does the job for you.
Add grip. On very smooth hair, a thin headband underneath stops the wrap sliding back.
Decide your volume. Hair piled high at the crown gives a taller silhouette. A low bun keeps things close to the head.

The classic turban in four moves. Every other style on this page is a variation of it.

Style 1: The classic turban

The one to learn first. Everything else is a variation.

Drape the fabric across the back of your head, holding one end in each hand, with the hairline just covered.
Bring both ends to the front and cross them above your forehead.
Twist the two ends around each other once, firmly, then take them back around the head.
Tie a double knot at the nape of your neck.
Tuck the loose ends up and under the band at the back until nothing hangs loose.

Tip: tightness should come from the twist, not from pulling at your hairline. If you feel tension at your edges, loosen and start again.

Style 2: The top knot

Relaxed, quick and flattering on almost everyone.

Start at the nape of the neck, holding the fabric behind your head with an end in each hand.
Bring both ends up to the top of your head, in front of the crown.
Tie a tight double knot right at the front.
Twist the two tails around each other into a rope, then coil the rope into a bun and tuck the ends underneath.

Style 3: The bow wrap

A playful finish that suits shorter fabric lengths.

Tie the classic turban base, but stop before tucking the ends away.
Bring the ends to the side of your head rather than the back.
Tie them into a soft bow, just above and behind one ear.
Fluff the loops open with your fingers so the bow sits full rather than flat.

African head wrap styled with height at the crown — Height comes from how you pleat the last pass, not from how much fabric you own.

Style 4: The high crown

Inspired by the architectural gele of Nigerian celebration dress, simplified for everyday. This one needs stiff Ankara cotton.

Place the fabric at your hairline with one end much longer than the other.
Wrap the long end around your head, keeping the fabric flat and wide rather than twisted.
With each pass, let the upper edge sit slightly higher than the last to build height at the crown.
Fan and pleat the final length with your fingers, then tuck the end deep into the layers at the back.

Pleating is what separates a high crown from a lump of fabric. Take your time with the last pass.

When you do not want to tie anything

Some mornings there is no time. A pre-tied Ankara turban slips on like a hat and gives you the finished look in one movement, and a velvet turban does the same for evenings. Many people keep both: one to tie when they feel like it, one for the days they do not.

Pre-tied Ankara turban that slips on without tying — Pre-tied, for the mornings there is no time. Shop head wraps

Browse the full headwraps collection to see the prints currently in stock.

Making it last

Hand wash Ankara cotton in cool water the first few times; the wax-print dyes can bleed.
Iron cotton wraps on medium while slightly damp to restore crispness.
Never iron satin or velvet directly — use a cloth between the iron and the fabric, or steam from the back.
Store wraps rolled rather than folded to avoid permanent creases across the front panel.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop my head wrap from slipping?

Slipping is usually a fabric problem rather than a technique problem. Add a thin cotton headband underneath for grip, make sure your first twist is snug, and choose jersey or satin-lined styles if smooth fabrics keep sliding on you.

Is wearing a head wrap bad for your hair?

Not when it is done gently. Damage comes from tying at the hairline too tightly and from dry fabrics rubbing against strands. Keep tension low and put satin between the wrap and your hair.