9 Australian creatives show us how they style a bandana
IMAGE VIA @TARACHANDRA_/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY Noni Reginato
It’s back and better than ever.
The old adage ‘what goes around comes around’ is never more relevant than when it’s applied to fashion and its ever-revolving door of trends. On any given runway during any given season, you’re bound to find a silhouette plucked from the archives. Just look at Miu Miu’s ultra-short, ’90s-style pleated minis that flounced down the brand’s Spring Summer ’22 runway, or the wide, strong shoulder pads that have never fallen out of favour at Saint Laurent.
But this summer, the most delightful resurgence isn’t a dangerously short skirt or midriff-baring tie-top. This time, the bandana is back, baby – and it’s far more versatile than its early 2000s iteration.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
The word ‘bandana’ might conjure recollections of Captain Jack Sparrow or Christina Aguilera’s 2002 film clip for ‘Dirrty’ – both excellent interpretations of the bandana, in my humble opinion – but there’s a whole lot more to the simple square of fabric than you might think.
When it comes to styling a summer outfit, less is more – which is the very reason the bandana is the most promising candidate for your summer wardrobe. Why bother owning a headband, a scarf to tie around a beach bag handle, a belt and a tank top when one square of fabric can do it all (and more)?
Much like a serum that’s also a moisturiser, a foundation and a sunscreen (does such a potion even exist?), a bandana has the shape-shifting ability to morph from garment to accessory in the blink of an eye. No time to dry your wet hair?
A bandana folded into a triangle, wrapped over the head, and tied at the nape of the neck will solve that problem. In need of a tiny top to pair with a maxi skirt? A bandana folded in half and tied at the back has you sorted. But don’t just take my word for it.
If you’re on the metaphorical bandana fence and need a little more convincing, allow us to help. Below, nine stylish Australian creatives have shared how they’ll be wearing their bandanas this season. Read on, and get ready to wrap.
Liz Sunshine, fashion and portrait photographer
As someone who has historically cultivated a very black-and-white wardrobe for sustainability reasons, collecting and adding coloured silk scarves over the last few years has allowed for an easy addition of dimension to my otherwise very classic outfits. They add qualities of colour, movement and ultimately life to clothes I have otherwise owned for a very long time.
For the last few years, I’ve been living through most of the summer with my silk scarf tied as a halter top… wrapped around the waist and knotted between my collarbones before being secured at the nape of my neck.
Recently, though, I have adopted a ‘boy scout’ approach, opting to tie them loosely under the collars of shirts and trench coats. My favourite outfits all subscribe to some sort of contrasting element, so I’ll happily wear a silk scarf with all different textures, but never with silk. Anything goes, as long as there is a little contrast.
Jessica Vander Leahy, model
Is there anything better than buying an item of clothing you discover you can wear a bajillion ways? It’s like practically getting it for free, right? My versatile Soleil Soleil scarf is like that. I can wear it as a head scarf, a wrap dress, and a top. I like styling it as a top by twisting it around my neck so my chest feels covered but I have a nice open back. Perfect for summer.
Elise Staveley, stylist and designer
Bandanas are one of my most collected accessories. I got this one at a vintage store in Newtown in Sydney. I love wearing it tied up on my head when I’m working, running around or at the beach (it also offers some cheeky sun protection). For me, it adds a fun element for when I have a more chill outfit and it keeps my hair sane at the same time.
Tara Chandra, content creator
In my opinion, bandanas and silk scarves add the perfect final touch to any outfit and hair look. I love colour-matching them to specific parts of my outfit – whether that’s my top, a statement colour in my dress, or my socks. As someone with extremely straight and slippery hair, I find that silk scarfs easily slide off my hair. Pro tip: I usually clip them in with fun clips or tie and braid the ends into my hair.
Saskia Wotten, Founder of Muma World
My go-to way to style a scarf for summer is to create a look that can go from beach to bar… or beach to a friend’s place for a catch-up. A square scarf is so versatile and can be worn in any number of ways – as a headpiece, bag accessory or (as I like to style Muma World’s scarves personally) as a top or skirt.
A larger scarf allows you to create a sarong that simply ties at the waist for a casual daytime look, or you can fold it in half if you want a shorter skirt for the beach. When night falls, add some pants and re-tie the scarf at your back or your side to create a boob-tube dress with an open back. You could also fold it in half to make a top instead, then add some heels for a sophisticated dinner look.
Rebecca Bonavia, stylist
My favourite way to style a bandana is wearing it around my hair for a chic look and some added sun protection! Bringing some colour or a fun print to an outfit is always a strong way to embrace the summer days. Not to mention that it takes up no room in your bag and you can throw it on as a top after a swim, too.
Lillian Scott, digital creator
The humble silk scarf is quite literally the most versatile item in your wardrobe and yet it is so often overlooked. For years I have collected scarves while thrifting, not necessarily to wear (as I didn’t yet know how) but just to look at because they are so often such beautiful prints and fabrics.
In recent years I started to see other people around me wearing them (in ways I never thought imaginable). And now, I rarely leave the house without one. The following is a comprehensive list of all the ways I like to wear a scarf:
- In my hair, either braided through a plait or tied around a pony
- Wrapped around my head bandana-style or under the chin with a pair of sunglasses (this is immediately chic)
- Folded in half (like a triangle) and worn tied up as a top
- Around your neck (I know, unbelievable)
- Tied to a bag/looped around a bag strap to add a pop of colour to any outfit
- Tied through a belt loop
The best part? They’re usually one of the cheapest items in the thrift store – what a hack.
Diane Gorgievski, Founder of Koda
I am an accessory lover, so a scarf falls into my top five must-haves when it comes to levelling up my daily wardrobe. It can be worn in so many different ways: in the hair, on the wrist, around the neck, or even tied to my favourite beach bag. This makes it a perfect summer styling piece, as it is so versatile!
To celebrate the launch of my new fragrance, Nero Palo Santo, I’ve teamed up with Australian label Albus Lumen, who have made a silk scarf using their offcuts to be included with the first 100 bottles sold. I have been experimenting with how to style it, and my current favourite way to wear it is wrapped around my wrist. It elevates a look just like a bracelet does, but it’s slightly softer.
This summer, I’ll be teaming my scarf with post-swim, air-dried salty hair, my favourite vintage co-ord paired with my Balenciaga jelly sandals, a Koda beach tote (this comes everywhere with me) and a spicy mezcal margarita!
Amy Morgan, model and photographer
I’ve loved seeing the slow ascent of the bandana as a capsule wardrobe necessity. Their versatility should be everyone’s reason to have one in the first place, from wearing it as a hair accessory… to styling a bandana as a chic crop and pairing it with whatever bottoms. I say ‘whatever bottoms’ because you can literally style any kind of bottoms with a bandana.
The bandana also serves as a timeless neck accessory (like I’ve done here with this one from Artemisian Collective), plus can double as a belt wrapped around your waist, bracelet wrapped around your wrist or even looped through the handle of a bag.
I think everyone should invest in some good quality silk scarves – given that this summer is predicted to be one of Australia’s hottest yet, you’d be silly not to. They’re also super light to pack, making them a holiday-season essential.
For more on how to incorporate a bandana into your style, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
