Cowboy Gear: Bandana

“It’s the man that’s the cowhand, not the outfit he wears.”

Wild Rag. Neckerchief. Wipes. Bandana.

The history of cowboy gear can be traced back to the Mexican Vaquero, who without question, looked very fine sitting astride a horse. The cattle handling talents of the Vaquero, and their clothing and gear, were adapted by the American frontier cowboys. Their unique appearance added much to their mystique and Hollywood contributed their own spin to the image of the American cowboy. The tools of the trade and the garb they wore had more to do with the work at hand. The wild rag, or bandana, is an example.

From pirates who sailed the seas, to British colonists, and even highway robbers, the simple square of cotton or linen has been around for centuries. More than a century ago the frontier town mercantile sold a square of cloth in a paisley design. These tear drop shapes first appeared in the early 1900s, and were thought to have originated in Persia and India thousands of years ago before coming to Europe.

 The popular Paisley design adopted by the American cowboy in the 1800s was originally known as boteh or buta from Persia, and is a teardrop-shaped motif with a curved upper end, symbolizing life, eternity, and fertility. The Wild West classic version was usually cotton, wool, or recycled flour sacks.

Men sitting horseback and wearing neckerchiefs can be seen in most every historical photo of the American West. Evolving from the handkerchief, or the gentleman’s cravat, colorful bandannas are not just for looking fancy. They are a necessary tool of the working cowboy.

Throughout the American west, this versatile piece of fabric has proved to serve many practical uses:

• Tourniquet

• Warmth in winter

• Protection from the sun

• Hot pot holder for the camp fire coffee pot

• Wash cloth

• Arm sling

• Water filter

• Wild bronc blindfold

• Face shield from dust when you’re riding drag

Today the demand for wild rags continues as a popular part of the western ‘cowboy chic’ style, and day workin’ cowboys and cowgirls wear them too. Fashionable wild rags are made silk or rayon, and you can find the traditional cotton bandannas with the original paisley design in a variety of colors.

Natalie Bright is an author, blogger, and speaker. MAVERICK HEART coming January! Written with co-author Denise McAllister, the new WILD COW RANCH series will be available January 2021, a Christian Western Romance from CKN Christian Publishing. Book #1 MAVERICK HEART. Book #2 WILD COW WINTER. Book #3 FOLLOW A WILD HEART. KEEP ‘EM FULL AND KEEP ‘EM ROLLIN‘ and END OF THE TRAIL EATS
feature the history and authentic recipes from the cattle trail along with archival and Natalie’s ranch photography.

Find out more about Natalie books here:Amazon Author Page, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram @natsgrams.