Bandanna Republic Imports

The traditional bandanna print cotton square has long been folded into a triangle and used as a cover-up for wet or sun-damaged hair.

Now there’s a whole poke full of summer accessories adapted from the red or navy kerchief with its bold paisley-and-dot geometric design.

At Contempo Casuals stores nationwide are nylon tights ($8) and hair twisters ($3). A. Brod has a polyester chiffon oblong scarf ($15) at Lord & Taylor. Sox Appeal stores are carrying socks from Rio Bluz ($7).

Gingham--typically a cotton fabric woven from pre-dyed yarns into checks--likewise is enjoying a renaissance in accessories. Talbots’ catalogue has a lunch-box handbag with faux bamboo handle in black or red with white ($42), and espadrilles from Andre Assous ($56) in red, black, pink or navy. Lord & Taylor has a blue or black and white cotton country hat ($35).

Express stores sport baseball caps ($18), backpacks ($36), tote bags ($24) and hats ($18).