19 Cute Bandana Hairstyles for Girls with DIY Tutorial

Written by

Caz Jones

Fashion & Textiles Writer

Reviewed by

Lainie Gutterman

Mature Style Writer

Updated Jun 20, 2026

A bandana can completely change your hairstyle. It’s cheap. It’s quick. And it works on any hair type. You don’t need to go to a salon. You don’t need special skills. Just a bandana and two minutes. The 19 styles below are all easy to do at home.

I’ve tried most of these myself. Some take 30 seconds. Some take a few minutes. All of them look great. Whether you have long hair, short hair, curly hair, or braids — there’s a style here for you.

Styling Tips

Fold It First

Always fold your bandana before you use it. Fold it corner to corner to make a triangle. Then fold the flat edge up about an inch. Keep folding until it’s about 2–3 inches wide. A neatly folded bandana is much easier to tie. It also sits flatter on your head.

Match It to Your Outfit

Don’t worry about matching the bandana to your hair. Match it to what you’re wearing instead. A red bandana with a white tee is a classic combo. A floral bandana adds interest to a plain outfit. Solid colours are the easiest to style. Paisley prints are always a good choice too.

Tie the Knot at the Top for a Retro Vibe

This is one of my favourite tricks. Wrap the folded bandana under your hair at the back. Bring both ends up to the top of your head. Tie them in a knot. The knot sits right on top like a little bow. It gives a really fun 90s look. Wear your hair loose underneath. See our guide to how to wear bandanas for more ideas.

Use It as a Headband — the Easiest Style Ever

This is the style I always go back to. Just place the folded bandana across your hairline. Tie it at the back of your head. Done. It takes about 30 seconds. It works on any hair length. It’s perfect for busy mornings, beach days, or when you just want your hair out of your face.

Braid It Into Your Hair

This one looks harder than it is. Hold the bandana alongside one section of hair. Braid it in as a third strand. As you braid down, the bandana shows through as a stripe. It looks really impressive. People always ask how I did it. For more bandana outfit ideas, see our bandana outfit guide.

Dos & Don’ts

Do this

Use a 22-inch square cotton bandana — it’s the perfect size for hair styling. Cotton folds neatly and feels soft on your head.

Tuck or pin the loose ends — fold the tails under themselves or use a bobby pin. This keeps everything tidy all day long.

Start with a solid colour — solids are the easiest to match. Once you’re comfortable, try paisley or floral prints.

Avoid this

Don’t tie it too tight — it should feel snug, not tight. Too tight and you’ll get a headache within the hour.

Don’t mix too many patterns — if your outfit is already patterned, choose a solid bandana. Keep it simple and let one thing stand out.

Don’t use stiff polyester — it doesn’t fold well and feels scratchy. Stick to 100% cotton for the best results.

Did you know?

Bandanas have been used as hair accessories since the 1940s. Female factory workers wore them to keep their hair safe while working. The famous “We Can Do It!” poster from 1943 shows a woman wearing a red bandana in her hair. The style came back in the 90s with pop and hip-hop culture. Today it’s one of the most searched hair accessory styles on Pinterest and TikTok.

Quick DIY: How to Tie a Bandana in Your Hair

This is the basic method that works for most styles.

Step 1 — Fold it. Fold your bandana corner to corner to make a triangle. Then fold the flat edge up about an inch. Keep folding until you have a strip about 2–3 inches wide.

Step 2 — Place it. Hold the strip against your forehead with the centre sitting just above your hairline. Hold one end in each hand.

Step 3 — Wrap and tie. Bring both ends around to the back of your head. Cross them over each other once. Then bring them back to the top and tie in a bow or knot.

Step 4 — Adjust. Pull the front section so it sits where you want it. Tuck in any loose edges. Use a bobby pin on each side if needed to keep it flat.

That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve done it a few times, it takes under a minute.

Bandana Hairstyles

#1 – Classic Headband Bandana

This is the easiest one on the list. Fold your bandana into a strip. Place it across your forehead. Tie it at the back of your head. Leave your hair loose or in soft waves. That’s it. It works on all hair lengths. It takes about 30 seconds. I wear this one all the time in summer. See more ideas in our cute hairstyles for teenage girls guide.

#2 – High Ponytail with Bandana Bow

Pull your hair into a high ponytail. Tie a folded bandana around the base in a bow. Let the tails hang down over the ponytail. It looks really put-together. It’s great for school or a casual day out. Takes about two minutes. Any colour works here.

#3 – Low Bun with Bandana Wrap

Put your hair in a low bun at the back of your neck. Wrap the bandana around the base of the bun. Tie it in a small bow at the front or side. This is one of the neatest styles on this list. It keeps your hair secure all day. Great for hot weather.

#4 – Messy Bun with Bandana Headband

Twist your hair up into a messy bun on top of your head. Slide a folded bandana across your hairline like a headband. Let a few pieces of hair fall loose around your face. The messier the bun, the better this looks. It’s my go-to for beach days and festivals. Check out more ideas in our funky hairstyles for teens roundup.

#5 – Two Braids with Bandana

Divide your hair in two. Start a regular three-strand braid on each side. Weave the bandana into each braid as a third strand. Tie the ends with a small elastic. The bandana runs through the braid like a colourful stripe. This is one of the most popular looks for long hair. It always gets compliments.

#6 – Half-Up Half-Down with Bandana Bow

Take the top half of your hair and pull it up to the crown of your head. Tie a bandana around the base in a bow instead of an elastic. Let the bottom half stay loose. This works on straight, wavy, or curly hair. It’s simple but really effective. One of the most-searched bandana hairstyles right now.

#7 – Bandana Headscarf (Full Wrap)

Place the bandana over your whole head. Tie it at the nape of your neck. Tuck the edges in and adjust the front to sit flat. This covers most of the hair and gives a strong retro look. It was popular in the 1950s. It still looks amazing today. Great for protecting your hair on windy or sunny days.

#8 – Knot at the Top (90s Style)

Fold the bandana into a strip. Place it under your hair at the back. Bring both ends up to the top of your head. Tie them in a knot so it sits on top like a small bow. Wear your hair loose underneath. This is my favourite retro look. It gives serious 90s vibes. See our full bandana hairstyles and outfits guide.

#9 – Side Braid with Bandana

Pull all your hair to one side. Start a loose braid. Weave a thin bandana into the braid as you go. Tie the end with the bandana tails. Let the braid rest over your shoulder. This is one of the most romantic looks here. It suits long and medium hair. Perfect for outdoor events and summer days.

#10 – Space Buns with Bandana

Divide your hair into two equal sections. Twist each one into a small bun on each side of your head. Wrap a bandana around each bun and tie it in a small bow. Use matching bandanas for a neat look. Mix colours for something fun. This is a great concert or festival hairstyle. See our preppy hairstyles for girls guide for more ideas.

#11 – Bandana with Loose Beach Waves

Curl or wave your hair loosely. Place a folded bandana across your head like a headband, sitting just behind your hairline. Let the waves fall loose around your face. This is the easiest long hair bandana style. It looks effortless. It looks like you tried, even when you didn’t.

#12 – French Braid with Bandana Woven In

Start a French braid from the top of your head. Hold the bandana alongside one strand and braid it in all the way down. Tie the end with a clear elastic. The bandana runs through as a visible stripe. This is the most impressive-looking style on this list. It’s easier to do than it looks. Try it once and you’ll keep coming back to it.

#13 – Low Side Ponytail with Bandana

Sweep all your hair to one side. Tie it in a low ponytail. Wrap a bandana around the elastic and tie it in a bow. Let the tails fall over the ponytail. Add a few waves for a softer finish. Simple, stylish, and takes two minutes.

#14 – Bandana for Short Hair

Fold the bandana into a narrow strip. Wrap it around your head and tie it underneath your hair at the back. Push your short hair back or let it fall forward in front of the bandana. This works great for pixie cuts, bobs, and ear-length hair. Short hair looks so sharp with a bandana. See our short hair outfit ideas for styling inspiration.

#15 – Bandana hairstyle for black girl

Keep your curls loose and defined. Fold the bandana wide and tie it above your edges as a headband. Let your curls sit freely above and around it. Use a soft cotton or satin-lined bandana. This protects your edges and keeps them smooth. It works beautifully with afros, twist-outs, and wash-and-go styles.

#16 – Pigtails with Bandana

Split your hair in two and make pigtails — straight or braided. Tie a bandana bow around each pigtail base. Use matching bandanas on both sides. This is a playful and youthful style. It works best on medium to long hair. Check out our back-to-school hairstyle ideas for more easy looks.

#17 – Topknot with Bandana Bow

Pull your hair into a high bun or topknot. Wrap a bandana around the base and tie it in a bow at the front. Let the bow face forward. This is neat, put-together, and practical. Great for hot days when you want your hair completely up. Works on thick and thin hair alike.

#18 – Bubble Braid with Bandana

Make a ponytail. Divide it into sections with small elastics to create a bubble braid. Wrap a thin bandana around the first elastic and let it trail down alongside the braid. Tie it at the bottom. The bandana adds colour to an already fun hairstyle. This is one of the trendiest bandana styles right now.

#19 – Sleek Straight Hair with Bandana

Straighten your hair completely. Place a folded bandana across your head about an inch back from your hairline. Tie it in a small bow at the back. Keep everything smooth and flat. This is the most polished look on this list. It’s great for school photos, dates, or any time you want to look neat and put together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fold a bandana for hair?

Fold it corner to corner first to get a triangle. Then fold the long flat edge up about an inch and keep folding until the strip is 2–3 inches wide. This gives you a clean, even strip that’s easy to tie. You can fold it thinner if you want a more subtle look.

What type of bandana works best for hair?

A standard 22-inch square cotton bandana is the best choice. Cotton is soft, easy to fold, and gentle on hair. Avoid thick polyester — it doesn’t fold neatly and can feel stiff and scratchy. Lightweight cotton or silk-feel bandanas are the kindest to fine or damaged hair.

Can I wear a bandana to school?

Yes, most of these styles work for school. The classic headband, half-up bow, low bun wrap, and sleek straight look are all neat and school-appropriate. Check your school’s accessories policy first, but bandanas are usually allowed. See our back-to-school hairstyle ideas for more options.

What outfits go well with bandana hairstyles?

Almost anything works. A red or blue bandana looks great with jeans and a white tee. A floral bandana suits a summer dress. A solid black bandana works with every outfit. For more ideas, see our guides on bandana tops and bandana outfit ideas.

How do I stop a bandana from slipping?

Use a bobby pin on each side of your head to anchor the bandana to your hair. You can also tie it slightly tighter at the back, or apply a little dry shampoo or texturising spray to your hair before putting the bandana on. Texture gives the bandana something to grip.

Key takeaways

A bandana works on any hair length — short, medium, or long. There is always a style that suits your hair
Fold it first — always fold your bandana into a neat strip before styling. It makes every look cleaner and quicker to tie
The headband is the fastest style — place, tie, done. Under 30 seconds and always looks good
Braid it in for the most impressive look — hold it alongside one section of hair and weave it through. It shows as a stripe through the finished braid
Match it to your outfit, not your hair — solid colours and paisley prints work with almost anything
Natural hair looks beautiful with a bandana — use a soft cotton one placed above the edges to protect your hairline