The Bandana Craze Is Coming for Footwear

Chaco has unveiled a bandana print sandal collection, solidifying that the bandana trend has found its way to .

The newly released shoes, launched in time for high summer, reinvent the Mega Z/1 Wide-Strap Classic Sandal — featuring the brand’s signature Z webbing pattern — with a paisley bandana print offered in black, red and green, priced at $115.

This footwear release comes on the heels of WWD reporting on how the bandana trend has been expanding lately beyond its typical associations. After an uptick in relevance last summer, brands have shown even more ways to design the simple cloth article, with maximalist patterns and material differentiations including crochet, lace-trimmed and linen options.

The bandana is typically thought of as a head scarf, but it can be incorporated into a look in a number of ways — from tying it around your neck like Gigi Hadid with a paisley piece from her own Guest in Residence brand to wrapping it around the waist or affixing it to a purse handle. Now brands want to transfer the quintessential paisley patter to your shoes.

Chaco wasn’t the first to think of this idea. Nike has heavily backed the concept with a number of paisley sneaker releases including an earth-toned Big Bubble Air Max 95 with a laser-etched print; an Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble refreshing the Neon iteration with bandana patterning in red, green blue and black; and an Air Force 1 which was given a premium refresh with a “Paisley Suede” design.

While paisley has a long global history, the print is also associated with western fashion, which has become more popular in recent years with additional trendy styles including cowboy boots. The rise of the bandana trend aligns with the Western craze and Americana comeback.