Style Hair 21 Cute and Effortless Bandana Hairstyles to Try Elevate your accessory game with these highly covetable looks. By Marisa Petrarca and Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 14, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Cavan Images/Getty Images Bandanas have truly withstood the test of time. Whether they make you think of cowboys or '90s supermodels, we can all universally agree they're an enduring part of the hair accessory-sphere. Over the years, fashion enthusiasts have played a pivotal role in preserving the art of bandana styling, finding innovative and creative ways to style the handkerchief into their hair. And that same goes for today: influencers, hairstylists, and hair lovers alike are no strangers to flocking to social media to share their favorite way to wear bandanas. To help you discover the best bandana styles circulating online, we curated a guide full of social media standouts. Keep scrolling for the inspo you need to elevate your next bandana-styling session. 01 of 21 Incorporate It Into Your Bun Add a little pizzazz to a messy bun by weaving a bandana into your hair, then twisting the hair and bandana into a bun shape. (This is a perfect pick for a beach day!) 10 Easy and Chic Hairstyles for the Beach 02 of 21 Wear It As a Headband A timeless approach to wearing a bandana is styling it as a headband. Mastering this look is easy: fold the bandana in half, roll it into a fabric strip, and tie it around either the top or bottom of your head, depending on your preferred look. 03 of 21 Channel the ‘90s Embrace the '90s vibe by folding your bandana into a triangular shape and securing it beneath your hair, right at the nape of your neck. Complete the look by framing your face with longer pieces, as seen here. '90s-Inspired Hair Clips Are Back—Here's How to Style Them 04 of 21 Give Your Hair a Vintage Vibe A high ponytail and a polka-dotted chiffon scarf add up to a sweet (and chic) 1950s throwback hairstyle. 05 of 21 Take a Bow Rather than using a simple knot, accentuate your bandana hairstyle with a pretty bow. (Use a full knot beneath the bow to help keep your bandana from sliding out of place.) 06 of 21 Let Your Scarf Drape No need to keep your bandana under wraps. Let the ends flow to give it a boho vibe and show off a pretty scarf. 07 of 21 Add Unique Details to Your Bandana You don't have to settle for a basic bandana. This sweet design features embroidered detailing—or consider adding a vintage brooch or clipping your bandana into your hair with stylish hairpins or barrettes. 08 of 21 Spotlight Your Bangs Sporting a bandana with short hair and bangs guarantees all eyes are on your fabulous fringe. This creator wears the White Lace Bandana from Brothers & Sisters Paris. 09 of 21 Elevate a Top Knot Another way to style a bandana is into a top knot by wrapping it around the bun's base. In a blog post, this creator called this style "a great option for dirty hair you don't want to deal with." 10 of 21 Layer It With Other Accessories A bandana can be just one hair accessory. Take a cue from this chic look, which features a bandana as headband, topped off with a hat. 11 of 21 Color Coordinate Your Bandana Style If you have streaks of color in your hair, find a bandana that complements the look. This peachy bandana features bright blue blooms that match the creator's blue hair 12 of 21 Protect Your Hair From the Sun Short hair doesn't restrict your bandana-styling possibilities. Case in point: this fashion influencer covered most of her hair with a blue bandana to enhance her ensemble and protect her hair from UV rays. 13 of 21 Use It to Sweep-Back Braids Braids and bandanas are a match made in hair heaven, evidenced by this creator’s take on the trend. The light red bandana adds a touch of vintage charm. 14 of 21 Accessorize a Messy Bun Consider the perfect summer hairstyle found. This creator complemented her piecey, messy bun with a textured floral bandana. She tied the bandana in a traditional tie-fold fashion to achieve the style, securing it snugly underneath her bun. 15 of 21 Fashion It Into a Head Wrap To achieve a street style-worthy bandana look, draw inspiration from this creator, who wore her bandana as a chic head wrap, styled atop her bouncy curls. Headbands Are Back—Here Are 12 Cute Ways to Wear Them 16 of 21 Weave It Into a Braid This hair influencer graciously shared a video detailing the steps to recreate this bandana braid, which she highly recommends for a beach-ready look. Pro tip: For those with long hair, use a large bandana for seamless application. 17 of 21 Showcase Face-Framing Pieces This fashion and travel vlogger also has a knack for elegant bandana hairstyles. For this look, she let her hair flow freely, sweeping her face-framing strands to the forefront and accessorizing with a cream-colored satin bandana. 18 of 21 Wrap It Around Your Ponytail This knotted bandana hairstyle is an easy way to take your ponytail to the next level. Simply tie your bandana around your hair tie to cop the feminine look. 19 of 21 Conceal Your Roots This pirate-chic look is timelessly cool, and a great option for hiding greasy roots. In this take on the trend, the creator completely concealed the top of her head, with the bandana sitting just below her hairline. 20 of 21 Coordinate With Your Outfit A monochrome moment is always a stylish choice, as demonstrated by how this fashionista expertly matched her yellow bandana with her top. 21 of 21 Keep Your Hair in Place Add a touch of chic (and protect your 'do) when you're riding with the windows (or the top) down—or just heading out on a breezy day. The sunglasses are a must to give you that Hollywood bombshell vibe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit