I’m a big fan of bandanas and scarves. Certainly, they serve many practical purposes—like keeping your hair covered, protecting your skin from the sun, and wiping off sweat accumulated on a hike—but they also pack small and are easy ways to add color and style to your travel wardrobe. I have a few variations on the traditional bandana, but I’m always looking for something different.
A while back, I became familiar with the Mür by Ayca brand. San Francisco-based Ayca Kilicoglu creates hand-drawn, colorful, and playful silk scarves and bandanas—and I fell in love with her whimsical designs. My travel wardrobe tends to be based on black pieces of clothing, so a brightly colored bandana makes an outfit go far.
My favorite, the Peekaboo Bandana, is a lightweight, airy blend of 70% cotton and 30% silk. It measures 25 inches by 25 inches, and lists for $70 on the Mür by Ayca site. The soft bandana is finished with hand-rolled edges for a smooth, refined look.
The Peekaboo Bandana was featured on Season 1 of Hulu’s The Bear, one of Chef Sydney’s many bandanas that she wears in the kitchen. That’s how I first came to know about the brand, and since then, I’ve collected more of them (including the Anchovies Bandana). Want to keep them looking fresh? Either dry clean them or hand wash in lukewarm water and lay flat to dry.
At least one of my small collection of bandanas makes its way into my suitcase every time I’m on the road. Whether it’s a traditional or a fancier one, it’s always an essential item of my travel wardrobe.
Mür by Ayca also features cotton + silk blend scarves, cotton sarongs, ankle socks, and throw pillow covers.