From the American Revolution to Madonna and Bruce Springsteen: where does the paisley bandana trend originate, capable of taking on infinite and very different meanings?
The first bandana was created thanks to Martha's love for her husband, the famous General George Washington. She made the first printed red handkerchief with an image of George on horseback, a tribute to American independence.
Bandanas boast a very long history, participating in the Industrial Revolution as an advertising vehicle. Subsequently, they became a symbol for coal miners, the "rednecks," or even later, as an accessory for wives who stayed home during World War II. They were and still are an identifying garment for various and extremely diverse communities and social groups, from American gangs in the 80s to Japanese culture perfectly represented by designer Hideaki Shikama.
Today, as soon as we think of a bandana, all those contrasting paisley patterns, white on very colorful backgrounds, immediately come to mind. These are prints of Persian origin and represent a blooming flower or, alternatively, a bent cedar. It looks a lot like a teardrop, and thanks to its elegance and refinement, it has conquered the entire fashion world, becoming a true style icon.
It is one of the oldest prints in history, and we at Alto Milano like it because it represents all the values we share, such as the importance of traditions, passion for fabrics, and sartorial craftsmanship. It comes from the Kashmir regions in India where it is used as decoration on the walls of monuments and homes, maintaining the same precision and meticulous detail that makes modern paisley recognizable.
But how did the paisley pattern arrive in Europe?
Thanks to a queen!
Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's wife
Josephine was a refined art collector and a lover of novelties, even in fashion. She was the first woman to own an entire wardrobe with a paisley motif.
In the 20th century, an Italian man would then popularize this pattern for men's clothing as well, the ultimate aesthete Gabriele D'Annunzio, with a silk kimono in a "bandana" print.
In today's haute couture, the credit for the fame of this pattern must undoubtedly go to Etro, which created an indissoluble and perfectly successful partnership between the fashion house and paisley.
The bandana pattern always returns cyclically, and how can we not also mention pioneering "made in Japan" fashion brands like Kapital, Visvim, or Children of the Discordance, which have used this pattern, adapting it to urban-style garments. A boost to the trend can also be attributed to the numerous celebrities who have worn paisley garments, such as A$AP Rocky and Bella Hadid.
Whether it's an Etro jacket, Visvim trousers, or a Kapital bag, the bandana pattern trend will last for years. So why not apply it to our beloved socks too?
This is where our continuous product comes from, the high-quality fresh cotton men's sock in the Yuri bandana pattern, available as sneakers, no-show, or regular socks.
It is composed of three bands in different colored paisley patterns and you can find it in various color combinations, from the most classic to the most eccentric.
It's just a matter of choosing how to style it. Do you feel more elegant, Etro-style, or urban in a total bandana look, Loewe-style?
Perfect for the summer season are the embroidered bandanas, which you can see paired with our swimwear, made by Chiara Viti, a young entrepreneur who creates beautiful hand-embroidered accessories. You can find her on Instagram by searching @tie_embroidery; we are in love!
