Smart Casual Looks
Style advice
How To Wear A Bandana
Curious on how to wear a bandana? Bandanas for men have come a long way since the classic paisley-printed cotton.
New cool geometric designs can add a graphic twist to your simple white t-shirt, while a silky texture will add an elegant accent to your ordinary suit for a style that’s stands out. And the answer is yes, men can and should also have some bandanas in silk. Even if it’s still most common to see men wearing bandanas around their neck, lately you may have seen gents wear bandanas around their wrist a lot more, both as a timepiece accent and solo. It’s like a bracelet, but a bit bolder and more unique. The bandana is maybe the only accessory for men that you can see worn by rock stars, young streetwear proponents and wall street traders at the same time, but in different ways. In this guide we go through the different ways on how to wear a bandana.
Text: John Ekström | Published: 2021-03-08
Around the Neck
Wearing a bandana around the neck is one of the easiest and most common ways to wear a bandana. The look can suit just about any man and can work for both smart casual and casual occasions. Here we prefer a small bandana to keep the appearance subtle. One classic and elegant way is to place it around your neck and just tie a knot at the front. For a bolder look you can try to knotting it at the back of your neck with a corner left loose at the front. If possible, you may even be able to wear your bandana as a scarf. No matter how you wear it, be careful of your bandana’s color. Choose bold colors like red or burgundy to add excitement to otherwise neutral outfits and softer tones for outfits that already contain color.
As a Pocket Square
A simple bandana is incredibly versatile. You can actually use it as a backup pocket square in a pinch. Just fold your bandana and place it into your jacket pocket for a quick and dapper look, perfect for a smart casual occasion. To rock the look, select a bandana that matches your outfit. One with a pattern or bright design will stand out while subtle colors will blend in. Also, have in mind the fabric and size and weight of the bandana. We recommend the bandana to be thick enough to poke out of your pocket stylishly but small enough to avoid adding too much bulk. If you prefer you could also iron your bandana before using it as a pocket square to ensure a neat appearance.
With this small-yet-mighty piece of fabric you can accessorize in a new, fresh way to showcase more of your personality, beyond the limitations of a minimalist watch or necklace. A bandana allows you to express your individuality and push whatever norms have been placed on you. We hope you learned on how to wear a bandana and feel confident try one.
