How to Wear Bandanas

Bandanas are versatile enough to integrate into nearly any outfit, no matter your style. Most bandana looks are fairly easy and don’t require additional accessories to hold them in place, which makes a bandana a great and easy go-to if you want your outfit to have a little something extra.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing a Bandana as a Hair Accessory

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1
Create a wide headband. Lay the bandana flat on a table so that it looks like a diamond. Fold the bottom half of the diamond up to the top to make a large triangle. Then take the top corner of the triangle and fold it down to meet the base of the triangle to create a wide pentagon shape.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Fold the pentagon in half length wide. The scarf should now look like a long rectangular band.
- Repeat the process of folding the strip in half until the band is about 1 ½ inches (3.81 cm).
- Pick up the band, making sure it doesn’t unravel. Place the middle of the band at the top of your head, then tie the two ends at the nape of your neck into a knot.^{[2]XExpert SourceKatie Quinn
  Image ConsultantExpert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- If you are wearing your hair down, make the knot under your hair.
Follow the same stems as making a wide headband, but instead of placing the middle of the band on the top of your head and tying it at the nape of your neck, place the middle of the band at the nape of your neck and tie the tails of the bandana into a knot at the top of your head.^{[3]XResearch source}
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3
Make a hippie style headband. A hippie style headband goes over your hair like a crown, giving you a laid back, bohemian vibe. To create this style, follow the steps to fold your bandana in a wide headband, then place the center of the bandana on your forehead. Take the two loose ends and tie them behind your head, making sure that you hair falls underneath the bandana.
- You can make the band skinny or wide, depending on your preference.
4
Do a 50s style ponytail. Begin by laying the bandana down and bunching the bandana toward the center to make a long rope shape. Loop the rope shape into a loose, open knot.^{[4]XResearch source}
- After you form the bandana into an open knot, pull your hair back into a ponytail and tie your hair with an elastic band.
- Slide the looped knot over your ponytail and tighten the knot until it is snug against your hair tie.^{[5]XExpert SourceKatie Quinn
  Image ConsultantExpert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- This is a good look to make with a long, scarf-like bandana as opposed to a traditional square bandana.
5
Make a hair wrap. Begin making this vintage-style hair wrap by first styling your hair by making a pouf or by doing an updo and keeping your bangs down if you have bangs. Fold the bandana corner to corner to make a large triangle. Then drape the triangle you made over your shoulders like a cape. Bring the corners up to the top of the head, letting your poof or bangs go in front. Bring up the back corner of the bandana and tuck it under the two front corners, then make a knot to tie the front corners of the bandana together above your forehead.^{[6]XResearch source}
- The bandana should be completely covering your head, with your bangs or poof coming out in the front to give the style more nuance.
6
Wear your bandana 90s style. Another classic way to wear a bandana is a 90s style look that works on both men and women. To create this look, lay your bandana out flat on the diagonal and fold it in half to make a large triangle. Lean your head forward and place the center of the base of the triangle against the top of your forehead. Then take the two ends of the triangle and wrap them to the back of your head. Tie them together in a knot at the nape of your neck. Make sure that the back corner of the bandana is resting on top of your hair and pointing at the knot in the back.
- If you have long hair, make sure you tie the knot underneath rather than over your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Wearing a Bandana Around Your Neck

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A front tie bandana look is an easy and classic way to wear a bandana around your neck. To make this look, fold the bandana in half corner to corner to make a triangle. Drape the triangle over your shoulders, then bring in the two corners and tie them at the front of your neck.^{[7]XResearch source}
For an edgy look, lay the bandana out on the table so that it looks like a diamond and fold the bandana in half in a triangle. Wrap the triangle around your neck so that the two ends meet in the back. Tie the ends in a knot, then pull up the bandana to sit at the middle of your nose and cover the bottom half of your face.
3
Wear the bandana cowboy style. To wear a bandana cowboy style, follow the same steps that you would to wear the bandana in front of your face, but instead of tying the ends in the back and pulling the bandana in front of your face, simply let the bandana sit around your neck almost like a scarf with one point going down.^{[8]XResearch source}
- For a really classic cowboy look, use a red bandana and wear blue jeans and a cowboy hat.
Begin making this sophisticated bandana style by folding the bandana in half corner to corner to make a triangle. From the longest edge of the triangle, fold the triangle over and keep folding to make a band that is about 3-4 inches (7.62 -10.16 cm) thick. Hold the middle of the band against your neck and tie the band at the back of your neck.^{[9]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Styles

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To wear a bandana as a bracelet, fold the bandana in half along the diagonal to create a triangle shape, then fold the top corner of the triangle over to touch the base of the triangle.Start to fold the bandana lengthwise to create a band that is about 3 inches (7.62 cm) thick. Wrap the band around your wrist, then make a knot to secure it, making sure to not tie the bandana on too tightly. Fold the ends underneath the knot if you don’t want them hanging down.^{[10]XResearch source}
Wearing a bandana around your thigh gives you a cool rock and roll vibe, whether it be over a pair of paints or around your bare leg when you are wearing shorts. Begin by folding the bandana to create a 3 inch (7.62 cm) band as you would for a bracelet or classic headband. Then tie the band across your thigh and knot it, either keeping the ends of the knot out in the front or swinging the knot around to the back and tucking in the ends.^{[11]XResearch source}
3
Tie a bandana around your ankle. Though it’s not an especially common way to wear a bandana, a bandana around your ankle over a nice pair of shoes is a casual and stylish way to give your outfit some color. Fold the bandana into a 3 inch (7.62 cm) band as you would for a classic headband or a bandana bracelet, then tie the bandana around your ankle with the tie in the back.
- Wear cropped or cuffed pants to show off your bandana.

Community Q&A

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Question
How do I tie strings (shoelaces, ribbons, cut headbands, etc.) on my wrist in a way that I won't see a lot of knots to keep it in place?
Community Answer
You might need to cover it with something else, or use what is left over after you tie it and wrap it around the knot.
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Question
How do I make a bow out of a bandana to put in my hair?
Marie Ramos
Community Answer
First, fold it in a triangle. Next, fold it over until it is about 2 1/2 to 4 inches wide. Wrap it around your head so that the back is under your hair and the two ends are in the front, pull the ends up to your forehead. Tie them once. Tighten until it stays, but is still loose enough to slip off and back on. Knot it. If the last fold in the back doesn't stay, you can use a small pin to hold it in place.
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How do I make a dust mask from a bandana without cutting it?
Community Answer
You'd probably be best off using the bandana-around-the-face technique, as it covers your nose and mouth and you don't need to cut it.
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Tips

If you are worried about your bandana headband shifting, use barrettes or bobby pins to keep it in place.
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When wearing a bandana around your neck, keep it shorter!
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In some areas, wearing blue or red patterned bandanas around your face is associated with gangs. Be aware of customs in your area before wearing something that may be construed as gang activity.
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If you're wearing ripped jeans, try tying the bandana underneath the holes of the jeans to add some rocking flare.
Try to iron your bandana before you wear or unfold it to smooth out any creases.

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