Eco-Friendly Headband, Eye Mask, and Neck Gaiter

As someone who loves a minimalist capsule wardrobe, I can’t believe I found an eco-friendly (organic cotton and hemp) headband that I can also use as an eye mask and a neck gaiter.

I’d been browsing Texture Clothing, where the kind and loving Teresa designs and makes local organic, hemp, and zero-waste fashion in the Pacific Northwest.

I needed new eco-friendly headbands and I loved that Teresa crafts them from her sustainable scraps, as part of her zero-waste effort at Texture Clothing.

When I saw the Goldenrod, I had to have it. Six headbands. All in Goldenrod.

But why did I buy six eco-friendly headbands if I love a minimalist wardrobe? And why did I buy all six in the same color? Isn’t that excessive, for goodness sake?

I bought six headbands because they fold so flat that they barely take up space—and to ensure I would have a clean headband for each day of the week (until laundry day).

When I like something, I buy it in multiple so I have a wardrobe that lasts me about a week. This is so I don’t have to wash my clothing every few days.

Also, this muted/mustard yellow matches my wardrobe and blends beautifully into all seasons. It’s my little ray of warmth and sunshine each day. This color makes me happy.

I first pulled this soft, stretchy headband down over my head to the base of my neck. Then I pulled it back up over my face, preparing to position it on my head as a headband.

But as it fully extended and rested over the bridge of my nose, cheeks, eyes, forehead, and around the back of my head … it felt so comforting. I felt swaddled.

In addition, it blocked out the daylight. It was acting as a soothing eye mask at that moment. I could not believe it. And I loved it.

I share this as someone who previously loved looking at beautiful eye masks, but disliked wearing eye masks. Traditional eye masks pressed too hard or sat too loose on my eye and ear area.

Traditional eye masks either hurt or were unable to block out light sufficiently. And traditional eye masks were not easy to clean.

But this headband, acting as an eye mask, feels so comfortable, blocks out the light, and is so easy to clean. I just toss it in the washer.

While camping or staying in strange places, if bright outdoor lights are on all night, I’m not bothered by them one bit. My eye mask is on. All is dark. I am swaddled in comfort.

This headband is my eye mask. This eye mask is my blackout shade.

Another benefit? My insomnia has greatly improved.

I had no idea how much ambient light interfered with my sleep every night until I started wearing this headband as an eye mask. I began experiencing light-free sleep.

Now I feel so guilty for what I put my body through for so many years … sleep disruption due to ambient (or bright) light sources … all night long.

And, while out and about, I wear this headband as a neck gaiter. My buttoned or zippered collars hold it in place on my skinny neck.

In the warm sunshine. In the cold. I think it’s so cute.