The real trend of the summer was the bandana

There are trends that remain current over the years, hidden in the shadows of new developments, only to re-emerge in a new form when the time is right. This is the case with the bandana, which takes on different forms depending on the culture, aesthetics, or stylistic reference. In the 1990s, Tupac wore the durag, Leila Khalid wore the Keffiyeh, and Audrey Hepburn wore a headscarf, just as Drake, Bella Hadid, and Sabrina Carpenter wear them today. While tracing the history of the bandana might seem complex, recognizing the reasons why this accessory has become widely popular in pop culture and street style this year is quite simple: it’s a story of politics, vintage fashion, and the desire to stand out. Sydney, one of the main characters in the series The Bear, knows this well: portrayed by Ayo Edebiri, in the latest season, the chef showcases perfect culinary skills as well as an exceptional collection of headscarves to wear while cooking. From designs that directly reference the world of gastronomy to more elegant models by Kapital, Sydney’s bandanas are a feast for the eyes, contributing to the character’s development in the story.

The Simple Life

Sabrina Carpenter

Bella Hadid

The Attico Napoli Vista Mare

Kendrick Lamar, Not Like Us music video

The Bear

If, in the early 2000s, whether thanks to Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & the City or the dazzling looks of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in The Simple Life, the bandana was a vintage accessory to pair with modern outfits, between tube tops and spray tans, today’s it-girls are going for a full retro look. Take Sabrina Carpenter in the music video for her summer hit Espresso, fully embracing the 1950s Riviera aesthetic, or Hunter Schafer in custom Prada at the Cannes Film Festival, in an all-white look with a matching headpiece. For the Italian brand The Attico, the bandana is celebrated in its entirety with the SS24 beachwear collection Napoli Vista Mare, which features the iconic paisley print on sarongs, flip-flops, swimsuits, shirts, and bathrobes. Meanwhile, Kendall Jenner, during a visit to an alpaca farm, chose to pair a floral headscarf with a modest, all-white dress, appearing in a black-and-white photograph reminiscent of old framed prints in grandmothers’ homes.

Hunter Schafer

Bella Hadid

Kendall Jenner

Billie Eilish

Bella Hadid

Sex & the City

Billie Eilish Coachella 2024

Eminem at the Grammys 2000

For many, wearing a bandana simply means adding an accessory to a simple outfit that needs a bit more color, protecting themselves from the summer sun, and having fun with their style. But for others, the item has a clear cultural and political significance. Take Bella Hadid, who in recent months has shown her support for the Palestinian cause through her style choices: wearing a dress that features the same pattern as the Keffiyeh, a scarf symbolizing solidarity and resistance. Or rappers like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, who this year were at the center of one of the most interesting musical beefs in recent years, have brought social weight back to the headwear of African American culture with looks that include durags and bandanas tied around their temples, just like the big names of the '90s who shaped the hip-hop genre. In her own way, Billie Eilish, who has been making waves again since the release of her new album Hit me hard and soft, pays homage to one of the genres that most influences her personal style by pairing oversized silhouettes with accessories like the bandana. Last April, she took the stage at Coachella wearing the same durag that Eminem wore at the 2000 Grammys. Some do it out of respect, for protection and others for aesthetics. Either way, the bandana is here to stay, perhaps even beyond the season when it seems most useful.