Looking for the best wild rag scarf on the market? There are a lot of silk scarves on the market - If you don't know Cowtown Wild Rags, here's a bit about us and what makes us so different than other silk scarf wild rags.
Double-Sided, Full-Color 100% Silk - Over and over again, we hear from customers who were tired of buying silk scarves that left them disappointed with a pale, dull, and white backside. NO pale backs here!
Large Wild Rags - Most wild rags are 34", we're a larger 36", and if you want an XL we have you covered with a 42"Supreme Hand-Rolled Edges - NO weird thread edges! If you've ever bought a silk scarf that has wrap-around thread edges, it makes a beautiful silk scarf look cheaper.
Western Prints That Stand Out - Vibrant and colorful prints that people will want to know where you got your silk scarf
Wild Rags For Men & Women - Did you know about 40% of our customers are men? We design wild rags for men and women!
A Slight Sheen Side & Matte Side - That's right, if you don't like a silk scarf with a slight sheen, you can reverse it to the more matte side!
Note: if you're looking to shop for a wild rag scarf, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Wild Rag Scarf
What is a wild rag? Awild rag is a large square scarf of 36" and typically made of silk, worn around the neck by cowboys, ranchers, Western enthusiasts, and generally anyone who enjoys wearing a silk scarf. Western wild rags are not just for Western fans.
Traditionally, they were used on the range for real life situations...to keep dust out of the face, protect from sunburn and wind, add warmth in cold weather, or even serve as an emergency bandage or sling.
Key Features:
Material: Often silk (because it’s warm in winter, cool in summer, and wicks moisture), but also cotton or polyester. Silk is preferred.
Size: Larger than a regular 22" bandana ...commonly 36" or 42" squares...so they can be tied in many ways.
Functionality: Dust mask, sun protection, insulation, sweat rag, or even to strain water in survival situations.
Style: Beyond practical purposes, wild rags are also a statement piece in Western and rodeo fashion, with bold, vibrant colors, paisley patterns, or Western prints.
In cowboy culture, a wild rag is both functional and with flair that also adds style to the cowboy look.
Why are wild rags so expensive? Silk is the gold standard. It’s breathable, durable, soft, and naturally insulating (warm in winter, cool in summer). Unlike polyester, silk doesn’t trap sweat or get clammy.
Real silk production is labor-intensive...farmed from silkworms (usually Bombyx mori), spun into threads, and woven into fabric. That alone raises costs.
Higher “momme” weight (over 12mm–16mm means richer, heavier silk, which costs more but lasts longer. Most silk scarves on big online retailers are 8-10mm.
Wild rags are larger than a normal bandana (36 - 42 inches square instead of 22 inches). That’s a lot more fabric!
Many premium brands use hand-rolled or hemmed edges instead of machine-sewn seams. This takes extra time and skill, but it keeps the rag from unraveling and adds durability...plus, an added touch of class.
Specialty printing (like double-sided, full-color) is uncommon and more expensive than simple single-sided prints.
Why do cowboys use wild rags? Cowboys use wild rags because they’re one of the most practical and versatile pieces of gear a cowboy can carry. What looks like just a big silk scarf is actually a tool that’s been part of ranch life for well over a century.
Wild rags protect from the elements. This is important for any cowboy or cowgirl!
Dust & wind: Pulled up over the nose and mouth, a wild rag works like an old-school dust mask while riding or working cattle.
Sun: Worn loose, it protects the neck and chest from sunburn.
Cold: Silk insulates even when damp, keeping the neck warm in freezing weather.
Cowboys used wild rags as a multi-purpose ranching gear while in the saddle.
Bandage or tourniquet in emergencies
Sling for an injured arm
Pot holder for hot branding irons or campfire pots
Blindfold for a horse
Signal flag when riding in open country
Sweat rag in summer heat
Silk doesn't trap sweat like cotton does, so it keeps the cowboy warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, with silk there's no chafing!
Unlike synthetic fabrics, silk doesn’t get stiff, itchy, or clammy against the skin.
The Cowboy Tradition and Western Look of a Wild Rag Scarf
A cowboy’s wild rag is part of his cowboy heritage much like a hat or boots. The wild rag speaks for itself, just like his boots and hat.
Bold colors and patterns let a cowboy show personality while still being practical.
They’ve become part of Western heritage...passed down, gifted, or even worn at formal cowboy weddings.
What is another name for wild rags? There's a lot of different names a wild rag scarf is called: a cowboy scarf, Western scarf, a silk bandana, a neckerchief, and a bandana.
Here's little bit about those different names for wild rags.
Cowboy Scarf Probably the most accurate Used in catalogs and online. Western wear stores use this term because a lot of people don't use the term "wild rag." A cowboy scarf still refers to the same large piece of silk or cotton square worn around the neck.
Neckerchief This was a common term for a wild rag years ago. Used by sailors, cowboys and Boy Scouts to describe their smaller scarf.
Bandana Some people casually call any square cloth a “bandana,” but true cowboy wild rags aremuch larger and usuallysilk, not cotton.
A 22" cotton bandana is too small for the jobs a cowboy expects his wild rag to do (like covering the whole face, tying it securely, or insulating the neck).
So while people might say “bandana,” in cowboy culture, that’s not the same thing.
Do you wash wild rags? It depends on the wild rag. Some silk needs to be dry-cleaned and others you can hand-wash. Most often silk can be gently hand-washed. Follow these steps to ensure you protect your silk wild rag.
Fill a basin with cold water and add your gentle cleaner. Don't pour the detergent on the silk scarf directly because it might stain the scarf if it's a dark blue detergent or a detergent that has bleach.
Wash the silk scarf in the basin and gently rinse it in cold water. No hot water on silk.
This is the most important part - Don't wring your silk to remove excess water! This can break the silk fibers. To remove the excess water, wrap your silk in a cotton towel and roll the towel up, allowing the towel to absorb the water. Hang the silk to dry away from the sun. Set your iron to the silk setting to release wrinkles. Silk will last for decades with the correct care.
Is a wild rag the same as a bandana? Can you explain the difference? A bandana is often the square cotton 22" piece of cloth that we've all worn. Traditionally, you've seen a bandana is a 22" red or blue paisley print.
A wild rag is a much larger piece of cloth, typically 36" or larger. It is most often silk, but it can be cotton or polyester. Sometimes, people will refer to a wild rag as a bandana...or a cowboy bandana.
So, a wild rag can be a bandana. But a traditional bandana is not a wild rag because of its small size.
Who started Cowtown Wild Rags? Cowtown Wild Rags was started by Tammi Putnam in Fort Worth, Texas in 2021. After purchasing Western scarves and noticing that almost all the printed scarves had a pale and dull backside, Tammi created a more vibrant and colorful double-sided, full-color wild rag scarf that was designed with men and women in mind. The name Cowtown Wild Rags... "Cowtown" is the nickname of Fort Worth...and "wild rags" is a Western name for silk scarves.
Where are our wild rags made? We design all of our silk scarves in Fort Worth, and they are imported. We believe in transparency about our products because many companies claim to be made in the USA, but that's not always the truth. The best silk in the world is in China (and always has been), and until we find silk with the same quality, we'll continue to import to bring you the best product on the market.
How do you wear a wild rag scarf? That's a great question! With Cowtown Wild Rags, you can tie our silk scarf any way you want and you don't have to worry about a pale, dull, or white backside showing.
The Traditional Wild Rag Tie without a buckaroo knot - Wrapped around the neck and tied - very simple way to tie a wild rag, yet practical if you're around dust or wind. With our larger wild rags at 36" or 42" they allow for plenty of breathing room.
It's not as hard to tie a wild rag with a buckaroo knot as you think! Learn how to tie a buckaroo knot on top of the traditional cowboy scarf wild rag.
Rolling a Wild Rag - Designed easily roll up so that it can be worn tied or with a wild rag slide. If you don't have a silk scarf slide, a sterling silver or turquoise ring make for a nice slide. Even though silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, it should still be protected in how to tie a wild rag. Often people want to rush tying their scarf - don't do it!
Neck Wrap Wild Rag - Easily one of my favorite ways in how to tie a wild rag - roll your wild rag into a log shape, take the middle of the scarf placing it against your neck, wrap the ends behind and bring them forward and tie. Simple, yet always looks great!
The Wild Rag Drape - Show off your wild rag silk scarf - you'll forever be noticed any time you have a silk scarf on, it's a conversation starter that's for sure :) Fold a triangle, and tie to the side.
