Bandana

[Gagnrad]

Does anyone know of a good source in Britain for bandana handkerchiefs? Either silk or cotton would do.

I sometimes like to wear one in the summer - not so much on the head but often round the neck to catch the sweat, or to stop my neck burning if I'm out in the sun for a really long time.

Cotton handkerchiefs of 18″ to 20″ are easy enough to find, but those are a bit on the small side.

Try googling, and you get plenty of U.S. stores, because of the "cowboy chic" thing. The kids would probably say some of those American scarves look a bit "gay", but the Americans also have some more restrained and masculine paisley patterns, like the old geezer is wearing here:

http://www.outwestsaddlery.com/html/scarfs_wild_rags.html

or like here:

http://www.wildragsbylois.com/paisleyandbandan.html

But the U.S. ones tend to be oversized - anything up to a yard square (so they can also be used as dust masks or also in place of a woollen scarf in the cold, I guess). And, anyway, surely there must be some people more local doing these. I mean, where did the old countrymen like Jack Hargreaves get theirs? Or is this just a (useful) item of clothing that's vanished with changes in fashion?

 

[Big Geordie]

I think my grandad cut the tail off his old shirts for this.
G

 

[Tadpole]

google do-rag, and the fifth site down seems to cover what you need

 

[Trev]

Hi ,
Try searching for chefs neckerchiefs , some of those are 30" probably not much choice of pattern though . Or cut up charity shop shirts .
Cheers , Trev .

 

[R.Lewis]

Yeah, old shirt backs work great. Done loads of times. As for real bandanas I got mine so long ago I can't help!

 

[Gagnrad]

Cheers, everyone, for the suggestions.

I found Flecktarn has some under various names, too - sweat rag, neckscarf, bandana:

http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/neckwear.php

Surprising you don't see them around more in outdoors-type places, though. Les Stroud seems to have plenty of uses for his - it amuses me the way he says to cool yourself down soak one in water and "wrap it around your carotids".

 

[Ph34r]

Could always get a buff or shemagh, they can easily be fashioned into a bandana

 

[Ogri the trog]

Call into a fabric supplies shop and buy a yard or so of anything that takes your fancy. After a few minutes with scissors and a needle, hey presto, you'll have a set of four and a new skill to brag about!

ATB

Ogri the trog