How Bandhani Became Bandanna
The tie that binds together handkerchiefs, luxury bridal wear, and headscarves? One ancient Indian technique.
“We have five minutes to do this thing,” says a concerned Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) to Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in The Bear Season Two. “I got you, chef,” he responds. The countdown begins, as do flashbacks of the chaos the kitchen had endured, including Sydney accidentally stabbing Richie.
The Bear’s third season, which released June 26, has only fed the fandom of the internet’s favorite fictional sous-chef. Sydney captivates viewers with her ambition, ingenuity, and outfits, which are rarely complete without one particular sartorial accoutrement: the bandanna. Syd’s bandannas, knotted behind the neck to protect her braids, are often playful and colorful, with prints featuring fish, florals, and beet leaves.
For centuries, Americans have embraced the bandanna, from cowboys in the Wild West to former presidents and hip-hop legends. But through its avatars, we seem to have forgotten where it all started.