A bandana is relatively a small square-shaped piece of cloth, which is usually decorated with a print or pattern and can be used as a versatile fashion accessory. It is primarily made from a piece of light woven cotton. It is said to be the Swiss Army Knife of the fashion world.
A bandana has so many other functions other than being used as a versatile fashion accessory. It can be used for wiping the nose or sweat off the face, to keep the head cool during a hot summer, for first aid, and also to prevent dust from entering the mouth and nose while working in the fields.
These tips will give you more information on the topic and point you in the right direction.
Know what a bandana is: Bandanas were originated in India. The word bandana originated from the Hindi word ban dhnu, and it means “tie-dyeing” or “to tie” and the garment can be traced way back to the late 17th century to South Asia and the Middle East. In the late 18th centuries bandanas were popularly known as bandannoes. Bandanas are triangular or square pieces of cloth that are usually tied around the head, neck or face, for protection or fashion. It is also known as a kerchief. The bandana measures around 20 × 20.
Patterns and Printing on the Bandana have always been known to be one block color with a contrasting printed pattern, usually the paisley pattern. This pattern originated in ancient Iran and traditionally, it is made up of elegant teardrops and many other decorative shapes. Some new designs can be found at bandanaswholesale, you may look into patterns and ideas and get inspired for your own look. Although paisley is bandanas most used design, there are some other patterns or printed images applied to bandanas., some of which are;
Screen printing: This is a process whereby a mesh stencil that is stretched over a large screen is used to transfer ink on the triangular or square-shaped pieces of cloth.
Resist dyeing: This is a process whereby the fabric is treated with a solution before it is then dipped into the dye, thereby preventing the treated areas from reacting to the dye, making it form a sequence or a contrasting pattern.
Discharging printing: This process involves treating a dyed piece of cloth with a color-destroying agent like chlorine, it then bleaches a pattern onto the cloth.
- Bandana Size: A bandana’s standard size is 22”×22”, thereby making it large enough to tie around the human head and neck especially when folded in a diagonal form. You can as well buy an oversized bandana, which measures 27”×27”. If the standard size bandana is too small for you, then an oversized bandana might suit you better. A child’s bandana standard size is either 18”×18” or 14”×14” respectively. These children’s bandanas are also used as a pocket square.
- Bandana Material: Most bandanas are made of 100% cotton fabric, which makes them soft and breathable and gets softer as it is being washed. The challenge these bandanas face is, they fade or shrink in the washing machine or while washing manually. Another material that can be used in making a bandana is polyester. But polyester materials are not breathable like cotton material, so when worn for long it feels hot.
- Tough Bandanas: These types of bandanas are built to be tough for people that work hard and play hard. This 27”×27” sized bandana lends itself well to camping, working, hunting, biking and so many more. The four edges of this bandana are well sown, so the material does not wear out, rips, or unravels. These bandanas have got a heavy-duty construction feature.
- Ease of cleaning your bandana: A bandana should be able to be washed in the washer with all your other wears. But some bandanas are only suitable to be washed manually (with the hands), which can be quite stressful.
A bandana is forever useful. You might want to use them as a fashion statement or to block the sun. They are quite affordable and are very fashionable. In recent times bandanas have become quite effective as a facemask. But reports say bandanas can cause more harm than good when it comes to protecting people from bacteria and viruses in the air.