Bandanas

A few days ago, Garance was discussing how some people have a signature style. You know, a certain color lipstick or always wearing boots or flats. If I have any sort of a fashion constant, it's displayed in my wearing of scarves, primarily in the winter, yes, but I have drawers of warm weather versions I wear less often. This post comes about because the olive drab bandana I've had for years and use only when doing something active was recently ruined while sanding and staining Clementine's now beautiful teak hatches.

So what are my replacement options? See below.

The most common bandana is the western paisley, shown here in blue or green, but available in every imaginable color. These were worn by cowboys in the movies and by railroad workers, laborers, and anyone making a living outdoors. The main purpose was to wipe away sweat and to keep dust from getting inside the collar.

Variations of the traditional design include the teardrop bandana and the less interesting open-square bandana.

The word bandana comes from the Hindi bandhana (बन्धन) which means to bind or tie. Yoga studios sell the om bandana in a variety of colors and use them to help contain energy and create focus. The intricate India Star bandana is sold only in green, gold, and violet or in brown, gray, and tan.

The hippie bandanas make me smile. I used to wear my bandana (probably the olive one!) tied around my leg ala Jimi Hendrix. Here's a bright tie-dye version and a Grateful Dead Blue Bear Mandala.

I like the sportier versions, both of which remind of the beach, sand, and sun-tan lotion. These are referred to as the Hawaiian-style or the floral hibiscus bandanas.

The "rougher" bandanas are desert camo prints and those decorated with skulls, one fashion statement I don't quite get. And by the way, I'm intentionally leaving out any discussion about gang affiliations, colors, or back-pocket code.

I especially like the Guadalupe bandana and how sophisticated wearing a bandana can look. How do you wear your bandana?