It’s the start of another year, and even if Nigerians go on and on about the hardship of January, we all know there’s no stopping the owambes from going down every weekend.
How else do you make a grand attendance as the celebrant’s friend, mother or sibling, if not with never-seen-before gele styles that draw attention to you? If you don’t know, the designers have gotten more creative, the styles have gotten more complex, and that’s why this article exists, to point you in the right direction.
Let’s get into it.
Sequined gele
Image source: Instagram/@mumzdoublejoycollection
You’re on a long thing if aso oke, sego, damask or jubilee are the only fabrics that come to mind when you want gele. Sequined fabric has joined the list, and word on the street is, it’s one of the hottest gele styles out there right now.
Pleated gele with ruffles
Image source: Instagram/@oni_gele
This gele style is a real show stopper sure to get the OG Yoruba aunties looking in your direction. It’s best to use an aso-oke or any other thick fabric to achieve consistency.
RTW infinity pleated gele
Image source: Instagram/@mydemartins
This gele style has been around for a hot minute, and it doesn’t look like it’s going out of fashion soon, but there’s been some innovation to it. This style now comes as ready-to-wear, and you only need to shop for your size and desired colour.
Sideswept infinity gele
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
This style is a remixed version of the infinity pleated gele. It’s a nice option if you’re attending an owambe with several mummies and want to stand out from them.
Bow-tie gele
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
This is the type of gele style that lands you on the fashion inspiration column of a lifestyle magazine. Might make you look like a walking bow-tie but true fashionistas will see the vision.
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Zara cap gele with ruffles
Image source: ThatGeleChic
If you’re big on comfort, this style should be on your radar as you can easily rock it on the go. It’s inspired by Northern fashion and been around for a while, but designers are adding creative modifications to it.
Centre twist gele with ruffles
Image source: Instagram/@geleloge
If you’re a baddie whose mum or aunt looks to them to experiment with their gele game, this is a great recommendation. It’s a branch out from the regular but familiar enough to keep them calm.
Peacock gele
Image source: Ennygelecraft
When a gele style is modelled after one of mother earth’s most beautiful birds, you know it’ll always eat and leave zero crumbs. For extra pizzazz, accessorise this gele style with beads or Swarovski stones.
Have you heard of Madam Kofo and her iconic geles? Read about the 8 Times Madam Kofo’s Gele Made Us Speechless
