How to Tie a Bandana on Your Belt Loop (4 Ways, Plus Which Size Works Best)

A bandana on the belt loop is one of the easiest ways to wear one. It adds a little color and pattern to jeans or work pants, keeps a bandana handy for wiping hands or tying back hair, and doesn't need any styling skill. Here are four ways to do it, from the most casual to the most secure.

Which Size Works Best?

For belt loops, a regular 21" square bandana is the sweet spot. It's long enough to knot and still hang a few inches, but not so long that it flaps around your knees. Our 21" batik bandanas are 100% cotton, which grips the loop and holds a knot far better than slippery polyester. A 39" oversized bandana also works for the double-loop style below if you like a longer, fuller drape.

Start With the Fold

For every method below, start the same way: lay the bandana flat, fold it in half corner to corner into a triangle, then fold or roll it from the long edge toward the point until you have a strip about 2" to 3" wide. Because batik is dyed through, the pattern shows on both sides, so it doesn't matter which side ends up facing out.

Method 1: The Simple Hang

1. Fold the bandana into a strip.
2. Thread one end through a belt loop until the loop sits at the middle of the strip.
3. Let both ends hang down evenly.

Quick and casual. Best for short periods; it can slide out if you're very active.

Method 2: The Single Knot

1. Thread the folded strip through a belt loop, centered.
2. Tie the two ends together in a single overhand knot just below the loop.
3. Tug the tails so they hang evenly.

This is the most common belt-loop look and the most secure for everyday wear.

Method 3: The Lark's Head (Cow Hitch)

1. Fold the strip in half to make a loop at one end.
2. Push the folded loop through the belt loop from bottom to top.
3. Pull both tails through the folded loop and tighten.

This gives a neat, flat knot that sits snug against the belt loop with both tails hanging straight. It's our favorite for a clean look.

Method 4: The Double Loop

1. Thread the strip through one belt loop, then through the next belt loop over.
2. Bring the ends together in the middle and tie a single knot.

Spanning two loops keeps the bandana in place even when you're moving a lot, which makes it great for hiking, gardening, or a day at a festival. A 39" bandana gives you longer tails with this method.

Styling Tips

• Side or back. A loop at the side hip is the most visible; a back loop is more subtle.
• Contrast with denim. Navy and indigo bandanas blend into blue jeans, while black, red, or mustard stand out. See our black bandana style guide or fall bandana colors for ideas.
• Keep it useful. A belt-loop bandana is the easiest one to grab for a sweaty brow or to tie back hair on a hike. More on that in our hiking essentials.

Looking for more ways to wear one? Read 10 ways to wear an oversized batik bandana, or browse the full hand-dyed batik bandana collection and our men's bandanas.