Best Bandanas In 2022

Features to Look for in Bandanas

Fit — Most bandanas come in a standard, one-size-fits-all size, around 22 inches by 22 inches. This universal cut can be tied to accommodate your needs comfortably, no matter the size of your head, neck, or wrists.

Material — Cotton is the most commonly used bandana material. It is durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and more breathable than many synthetic blends, such as polyester, making them suitable for all-day wear, especially in warmer conditions.

When deciding which bandana material to select, keep the quality of the fabric in mind, as low-quality fabrics can cause skin irritation. You’ll find that the price disparity between high- and low-quality bandanas if often negligible.

Comfort — If you plan on wearing your bandana often, especially throughout the day, then comfort is an enormous factor to bear in mind. Consider moisture-wicking capabilities, which will help to keep you cool, and how long the material takes to dry, especially if you intend to wear it while baking in the sun.

Style — Bandanas come in a variety of styles and colors, so you won’t be short on options when selecting which is the best one for you. The paisley design is arguably the most popular and iconic, and it’s likely the one you think of when imagining a bandana.

However, this is not the only colorway available. The options are seemingly limitless — solid colors, gradients, national flags, skulls, cartoon characters, and more.

Face Coverage — Wearing a bandana as a face cover can mitigate the exposure to and spread of germs, protect you from UV rays, and block out fine particles like dust.

To create a face covering, first fold the bandana in half diagonally, forming a triangle. Then taking the two opposing corners, wrap it over the bridge of your nose, around to the back of your head, and tie a knot.

Breathability — You want your bandana facemask to breathe, and this will mostly come from the material (cotton is best). The way you wear it will also impact your breathing. Even tied tightly, your bandana will still provide enough breathability to ensure all-day wear without noticeably affecting your voice projection.

Durability — Tightly woven cotton makes some of the most durable garments around, despite being relatively lighter than most alternatives.

A good cotton bandana should withstand countless wash cycles. And while a well-used hanky is prone to fading, the integrity of its fabric should remain. You may encounter loose threads. Don’t be alarmed by this, though. It doesn’t mean your bandana is falling apart, and you can snip any loose ends away with a pair of scissors.

Bandana FAQ

Q: How do you soften new bandanas?

A: While cotton or polyester bandanas are quite soft when you first buy them, a little softening will go a long way. If you need to wear them from dawn to dusk, a breaking-in period is helpful.

If your bandana is too stiff, try soaking and drying it to soften it up and prevent abrasions and irritation. Throw your new bandana in the wash by itself to prevent the colors from bleeding, then pop it in the dryer on a low-heat setting, or allow it to air-dry overnight. If you feel it’s still too stiff after washing it, soak it in a basin of fabric softener or vinegar overnight, rinse it out, and dry it.

Q: Should guys wear bandanas?

A: Absolutely. Many men look to the bandana for both its fashionability and practicality.

As a fashion item, there are plenty of ways to wear a bandana, including wrapped around the forehead, neck, wrist, or as a formal pocket square. Practically speaking, the bandana doubles as a facemask, sun protection when worn on the head or around the neck, or as a handkerchief during allergy season.

Q: How do you keep a bandana from slipping off from your face?

A: If you’re using your bandana as a face cover, you might find some problems with it slipping down your face no matter how tightly you attached it at first. As the day goes on, the fabric will stretch slightly, meaning it isn’t as tight as it was at the start of the day.

To stop the bandana from slipping, you can tie it extra tight when first putting it on, or readjust the knot as needed. Wearing it over the bridge of the nose will help it stay up, too, without sacrificing ventilation.

If you still have trouble, you may need to put another layer, such as a neck gaiter or face mask, underneath the bandana to add friction, which will prevent it from slipping.

Q: Are bandanas made of cotton?

A: The majority of top-quality bandanas are cotton. As cotton is lightweight and tightly woven, it provides ample protection without being uncomfortable, and it still allows you to breathe easily, rather than feel you’re suffocating, which is something that many people may experience when wearing a face covering.

The cotton also makes the bandana easy to care for, especially if it uses colorfast printing. Colorfast printing will prevent the colors from running and ruining any other clothes that you throw in the wash alongside it.

You may come across non-cotton bandanas, but while these may be cheaper, they are often of lesser quality can’t provide the same comfort, moisture-wicking, and breathability of standard cotton products. Keep in mind that there are exceptions!

Q: Does a bandana go over your ears?

A: Wearing a bandana over your ears will depend on how you want to style it. However, if wearing the bandana as a facemask, then putting it over your ears could help to keep it in place while still providing comfortable breathability.

If you’re wearing the bandana as a headband, you may wrap it over your ears at first, but this is likely to be uncomfortable. It is better to wear it behind the ears, so it wraps around the back of your head around the top of your neck without slipping down.

Sources

1. 3 Ways to Wear Bandanas - WikiHow