The cowboy kerchief or bandana was another thing one could not be a cowboy without.
The bandana had many uses, most notably as a dust mask while driving cattle kicking up dirt.
It could also be used as earmuffs in cold weather, as protection from sunburn on the neck, as a pot holder for hot pots or branding irons, as prevention against snow blindness in winter, a tourniquet or sling in case of injury and just in case they were planning to rob the stage, it made a nifty mask!.
Red was the most common color and it could be made of silk, cotton or linen.
Much like today, the bandana was generally folded into a triangle and tied around the neck, but with the knot in the back.