How to Tie a Bandana

Co-authored by Katie Quinn

Last Updated: November 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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Bandanas are versatile accessories that can be worn a multitude of ways. Try the traditional tri-fold style, a bandana headband, a pirate fold, or a bandana bracelet. Secure your styles with square knots, or pins when necessary.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Traditional Tri-Fold

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Fold the bandana into a triangle. Lay the bandana flat on a solid surface (e.g. a tabletop). Smooth out any bunches or wrinkles in the fabric. Bring two opposite corners of the bandana together to create a triangle.
Smooth your hair back so that it doesn't stick out under the bandana or bunch up under it. Pick up the folded bandana with the point of the triangle pointing upwards. Place the flat edge of the bandana on your forehead, on or near your hairline.^{[1]
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3
Tie the two corners together. Bring the two corners of the bandana around your head to meet behind it. Keep the edge of the bandana above your ears. Tie the ends together in a square knot.
- Make sure that the bandana isn't too tight or too loose before securing it.
- It may be easier to fold your bandana before you tie it around your head.^{[2]
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  Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.}
4
Tuck in the corner point of your bandana. Tuck the loose corner of your bandana under the knot where you tied it. This will help to keep the bandana from blowing up or coming loose. Smooth out any stray hair that might be sticking out.^{[3]
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- When you tuck in the corners, be sure the bandana is lying flat on your head.^{[4]
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  Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating a Bandana Headband

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Before you put on a bandana, fix your hair the way you want it to look under the headband. Adjusting your hair afterwards could cause your bandana to become untied or displaced.
Fold the bandana into a headband. Lay your bandana flat on a solid surface. Fold the bandana over and over in 2 inch (approximately 5 cm) increments. Continue folding until the bandana is one long strip.^{[5]
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To ensure that your headband stays put, spray it with hairspray before putting it on. Lay the folded bandana down with the inside facing upwards (i.e. the side that the triangle point of material is folded in on). Spray from the middle of the headband towards each end.^{[6]
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4
Position and tie the headband. Position the folded bandana on or near your hairline, depending on whether you want to show any hair or not. Hold one end of the bandana in each end and pull them down under your hair and tie them together at the base of your neck.^{[7]
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- You could also roll the bandana, then tie it around your ponytail for a cute look.^{[8]
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  Katie Quinn. Stylist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.}
As an alternative method of wearing your headband, position the middle of the strip at the base of your head, under your hair. Pull the ends of the bandana up around your head, above your ears, and to to the top of your head (a bit above the hairline). Tie a square knot to secure the headband.^{[9]
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To keep your headband in place, pin it down with bobby pins. Pin your bandana behind your ears, or behind your head, to secure it. Avoid pinning down your hairstyle at the top of your head, where the pins will be more obvious.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making the Pirate Fold

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Lay the bandana out flat. Take one of the corner triangles and bring it towards the middle of the bandana. Fold it so that the tip of the triangle reaches approximately 2 inches below the opposite corner of the bandana.
Pick up the bandana by each end and bring it up to your forehead. Make sure that the flat edge of the bandana sits just above your eyebrows. Move the ends of the bandana around the back of your head, so the back is about level with your ears.^{[11]
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Tie the bandana with a simple, square knot. Tuck in the overhanging top corner behind the knot. Smooth down the hair on top of your head and make sure the bandana is snug.^{[12]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Tying a Bandana Bracelet

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1
Fold the bandana. Fold the bandana into a triangle. From there, start folding the bandana in increments of the same width you'd like your bracelet to be. Make sure that the folds are crisp and even.
- To ensure clean lines, iron the lines in as you fold the bandana.
When you're done folding and you're left with a long strip of material, wrap it around your wrist. Leave about a finger's worth of space between your wrist and the bracelet to ensure that it isn't too tight. Continue wrapping it around until there is approximately one inch of material hanging from each side of the bracelet.
Tie the bracelet in a square knot. To ensure that it stays put, double the knot or add a safety pin to secure it. Tuck in the loose ends of the bandana on the underside of your wrist.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What cute ways can I use a bandana with my hair?

Katie Quinn
Image Consultant
Katie Quinn is an Image Consultant, Personal Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Q the Stylist, an image consulting service based in New York City helping men and women understand their specific goals, improve their wardrobe, performance, and life. She has over 11 years of image consulting experience and has worked as a stylist for Trunk Club, Modewalk, and Moda Operandi. Her work has been featured in Vogue, InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, Sheridan Road, Slate, Newsy, Rue, and Thrillist.

Katie Quinn

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

I think bandanas look really great if you fold the corners of the bandana in so they meet in the middle, then fold it flat and tie it around your head at the neck. Similarly, instead of folding it, you can roll it starting at the corners, then tie that around your ponytail.

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Why do bikers wear bandanas?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Bandanas are great for protecting your scalp from the sun and wind, and they can also provide a soft cushion between the biker’s head and their helmet. Plus, many bikers just like the way they look!

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How can a guy wear a bandana?

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Staff Answer

For a rockstar look, try folding up your bandana and tying it around your head with the knot to one side. You can also wear it knotted around your neck or wrist. A basic trifold or pirate fold will also work well if you want to cover your hair or scalp.

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Tips

If you have long hair, it may be helpful to bend forward when tying the bandana so the your hair falls away from your neck. This will make it easier to tie, and less likely to get hair caught in the knot.

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Helpful 19 Not Helpful 7
Buy bandanas in multiple colors to ensure that you have one for every outfit.

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Helpful 16 Not Helpful 9
If you have a fringe or bangs, leave some hair out on each side of your face for a natural look.

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