Move over statement necklaces! There’s a new accessory in town. Bandanas have been a key fashion accessory that can date back to wearing them as crop tops as Beyonce and Mariah Carey did in the ‘90s. And since all these ‘90s trends have been popping up lately, it’s now the bandana’s turn, having been worn by stylish fashion bloggers, Instagram stars and many celebrities. At the Sacai spring 2016 ready-to-wear show, designer Chitose Abe showcased loose silhouettes and bold patterned separates, and expressed the bandanas key paisley print into loose dresses, maxi-skirts and cut-up T-shirts. The designer also accessorized models’ necks with the classic bandana piece, tying it around their necks in a western fashion. This collection not only showed the effortless impact of the paisley bandana print, it highlighted how even the most basic (and at one point functional) item can be morphed into a trendy fashion accessory.
Taking inspiration from this collection, I rummaged through some old costume bins and discovered a plethora of bandanas in various bright colors. That’s the thing about this trend—you don’t have to break the bank! Just stop by your local thrift store and you can probably find a bandana for a dollar. In fact, you will probably get your money’s well worth considering how versatile it is! Bandanas can be tied around your neck, head, and even your wrist for an effortless, yet fashion-forward addition to a plain outfit.
For my look I decided to take a very basic outfit, consisting of a black muscle T-shirt, dark cut-off shorts and some white Converse to wear with my red bandana. Giving an American vibe to my look, I am wearing blue reflective sunglasses to contrast the bright red. I chose to style my bandana in a simple knot around my neck, but you could also fold the bandana diagonally and tie it like a scarf, or roll it up and tie it around your neck in a choker style. There are endless possibilities to this trend and I encourage you to try it with any basic outfit. I know this summer I will be experimenting with more colors and styles of bandanas. It’s safe to say I’ve gone bananas for bandanas!
Get My Look: 1. Any black shirt 2. Denim cut-offs 3. Bandana.
