This is a spontaneous style post. Whenever I hang out with my sisters, I’m always inspired by what they’re wearing and since I always seem to carry my camera with me (a habit I picked up back when I was in high school — nothing has changed except that my camera gets heavier), I always snap some photos. It just so happens that I’ve taken enough photos of my sister to put together a style post on bandanas.

How are we feeling about bandanas? It’s one of those 90’s accessories (in my case an early 2000’s accessory) that has made a comeback and thank goodness, because this was one accessory I really loved. I stopped wearing it because I got over the paisley pattern and no one was making bandanas with other patterns. Well, that problem was solved when I discovered Bandits Bandanas.

Bandits Bandanas are designed by artist from around the world and for every sustainably-source and hand-made bandana sold, 10% is given to the charity of the artist’s choice. Let me repeat those awesome details:

1. unique designs made by artist

2. organic cotton and hand-made

3. 10% of each bandana sold is given to charities

You’re supporting artist. You’re supporting charities. You’re supporting slow fashion. And that’s why I’m so happy to be an affiliate of Bandits Bandana.

My sister is seen wearing the Rooted in Everything in Green bandana which was designed by Philly-based illustrator Emily Kelley and her design supports the IRC, the Independent Restaurant Coalition. My sister has worked in the restaurant industry for several years as a waitress and it was sad for her to see how hard the restaurant industry was hit during the pandemic. So this bandana was not just an attractive purchase for her, but also a meaningful one. In her second look, she is wearing the Warm Swims bandana designed by Brisbane-based artist and illustrator, Claudia Osborn and her design supports the independent not-for-profit environmental organization Bush Heritage Australia. Read more on the artist and organizations in the links above and if you’re feeling inspired to style with a bandana and to support amazing charities and artists, use the code VICTORIA15 for 15% off your purchase. Thank you so much for your support and not just for The Riza, but for Bandits Bandanas and the the work they do (and the work the artist and the organizations do — it’s lovely to see the trickling down of good work).

Fun Fashion Fact: The most recognizable pattern is Paisley which originated from India. The original name of the pattern is Kashmir, named after the region it’s from. Bandana’s were used by western cowboys to protect their faces from dust and wind (or to go incognito) and then were rediscovered by hippies in the 60’s.