What Bandana Colors Should I Avoid?

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Have you heard that some color bandanas should be avoided and want to know what they are? Maybe you have been told bandanas are linked to gang members and outlaws and want to know if it is true?

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What Bandana Colors Should I Avoid?

Or are you unsure what bandana color is best to wear? Whatever your question is, we have the answer for you! 

Bandanas were once influential pieces of clothing, associated with gangs, outlaws, the LGBTQ+ community, and rock fans.

Each had a different meaning for bandanas and once this mixed with popular culture, it was hard to tell what was real and what was fake!

Before you knew it, you were lost in a sea of different opinions, stories, and myths, unsure what was true and who you could trust. 

All you wanted was information about a bandana and now you don’t know if you can wear one or not! But have no fear! We are here with the answers you need.

Just keep reading to find out what bandana colors you should avoid and the meanings behind the colors. 

Bandana Color Meanings 

Let’s start by looking at the colors of bandanas and their meaning! We’ve got a complete list below for you to explore.

  • Black bandanas – these are usually considered a neutral color 
  • Brown bandanas – these are associated with the La Gran Mafia 
  • Blue bandanas –  these are worn by the Crips gang members 
  • Green bandanas – these are worn by members of the Bay Area Crisps gang 
  • Gray bandanas – these are commonly worn by Asian gangs
  • Pink bandanas – these are typically worn for breast cancer awareness 
  • Purple bandanas – these are worn by Grape Street Crips gang members  
  • Red bandanas – these are typically worn by members of the Bloods gang
  • White bandanas – these usually represent unity and peace 
  • Yellow bandanas – these are usually worn by members of the Latin Kings gang

Now it’s easy to look at this list and be scared to wear bandanas, but these gangs are largely local and on the decline.

Since the turn of the century, bandanas have become far more fashionable and are worn by most people, whether they are in a gang or not!

And as they are local, no one will mistake you as a member of the Bay Area Crisps gang in another state or country! 

Bandanas previously were linked to homosexuality. Again, this isn’t the case anymore, especially now that dating and messaging apps are far more popular for the LGBTQ+ community.

Besides, there aren’t many people that would make this connection anymore, as it’s an outdated mindset these days! 

The confusion around wearing bandanas and their meaning is still common, but far fewer people care about what wearing a bandana means now! 

Where you wear your bandana doesn’t have any cultural significance these days, especially in our secular society, so feel free to wear the bandana without any worry or stress! 

What Bandana Colors Should I Avoid?

What Bandana Colors Are Safe To Wear?

Gray and black are considered the safest color bandanas to wear and are viewed as neutral colors by gang members.

Along with your bandana, you should consider how it’s styled, after all,  you don’t want to be mistaken for a thug in your outfit of choice (unless that is the style you are going for)! 

So what do we mean by this? Well, you will want to wear an outfit that suggests you are a regular person rather than a member of a gang! In most cities, all colored bandanas will be safe to wear.

The color of your bandana can only become an issue in low-income areas or those with high levels of crime and gangs. 

In most parts of the US, you can wear the following colored bandanas worry-free! 

  • Black 
  • Brown 
  • Green 
  • Gray
  • Pink 
  • Purple 
  • White 
  • Yellow 

What Bandana Color Should I Avoid Wearing?

We recommend you avoid wearing a red or blue bandana in LA. As we have said throughout today’s article, most colors are fine to wear across the country, but you will want to check the color meaning of the bandanas above before traveling to a new area.

The last thing you want is to be mistaken for a gang member while you explore a new town or city! 

Is It Okay To Wear A Bandana On Your Head?

Yes, it is okay to wear a bandana on your head! Previously, wearing a bandana on your head meant you were part of a gang, but this has since changed.

Thanks to the rise in popularity of bandanas and how widely they are used by singers, entertainers, and rappers as merely an accessory or part of their outfit.

The negative connotation of wearing a bandana on your head has become less common, leaving us safe to use them as a fashion accessory, or to keep the sun off our heads!

You can also keep your bandana in your back pocket without any judgment. Back when homosexuality was illegal and frowned upon, men would place a bandana in their back pocket to indicate their sexual preference.

Thanks to changes in the law and society becoming more accepting, this is no longer the case. Men can express their sexuality freely, without the need of using bandanas this way.

It also means you can wear a bandana anywhere without anyone making any assumptions about you. 

Final Thoughts 

And there you have it! Some color bandanas are used in some cities to reference a person’s ties with a gang, but this is not as prevalent as it once was.

In most of the US, all color bandannas are safe to wear, with people assuming it is part of your outfit rather than a statement of your connection to a gang. 

We do recommend that you check our list to find out what color bandanas are associated with gangs before visiting a new town or city just to be extra careful!

You don’t want to have a run-in with a gang for wearing a color that is sacred to them! 

Joseph Pais
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