tech
Going bananas for bandanas: the latest fashion trend that goes back centuries
From Dua Lipa to Zendaya, the kerchief worn by gang members, presidents and pirates has become ‘mad-glamorous’
TL;DR
- Bandanas are emerging as a prominent fashion accessory this summer, seen at Copenhagen fashion week and worn by celebrities like Dua Lipa, Zendaya, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
- The accessory is available from various retailers, including Toast, Asos, and Next, and has seen a significant increase in searches on resale sites like Depop.
- Bandanas offer a vintage aesthetic from the 60s/70s and 90s and are also practical for managing hair in various conditions.
- The history of the bandana dates back to ancient India, with techniques like tie-dyeing (*bandhani*), and was later imported to England.
- Throughout history, bandanas have carried diverse symbolic meanings, associated with cowboys, robbers, gang affiliation, workers' rights, and political campaigns.
- The bandana has been worn by various cultural icons, including hip-hop artists, Rosie the Riveter, and characters in popular culture like Carrie Bradshaw.
- Political campaigns have utilized bandanas since at least the 1840s, with notable examples from the revolutionary war era to presidential campaigns.
- Bandanas hold subtext related to race and religious or cultural identity, serving practical purposes for people with natural hair, religious beliefs, or those working in certain professions.
- Despite their simple appearance, bandanas are considered 'mad-glamorous' and have become a fashionable adornment.