Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make a Custom Grommet & Bandana Painted Boho Hat (Country Glam DIY)
If you’ve ever wanted a hat that feels equal parts country glam and totally one-of-a-kind, this DIY is it. This custom grommet and bandana painted boho hat is surprisingly easy, wildly fun to create, and completely customizable to your vibe. No two will ever look the same—which is exactly the point.
I started with a hat I got from a friend and turned it into a statement piece that’s perfect for everything from festivals to race day style at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville (my hometown 💕).
DIY Boho Hat with Bandana & Grommets (Easy Country Chic Tutorial)
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I, of course, needed pink on this to match my hair!
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I love this dress! It’s so comfy!
💃 How I Styled It (Country Glam Vibes)
I paired my hat with:
A long, flowy overall dress (mine has a lining, so not slip is needed!)
A leopard bodysuit
My go-to TKEES flip flops
And honestly? It’s giving the cutest country glam moment ever. Get my dress and bodysuit and more in my Amazon Shop here. Wear it to a summer concert and you’ll be comfy and cool all night.
The back view of the hat
🎉 Where to Wear Your Boho Hat
This hat is made to be seen. Wear it to:
The Kentucky Derby (hello, statement accessory, country girl style, and I’m from Louisville, the home of The Kentucky Derby, so I KNOW HATS!)
Country music festivals
Summer fairs & rodeos
Beach vacations
Girls’ brunch or outdoor parties
Everyday errands when you want to feel a little extra ✨
Take a look at my DIY Garden Party style fascinator I created that can be worn to the Kentucky Derby, weddings, parties and more in my short YouTube video below via my channel @carolynjbraden:
💖 Why You’ll Love This DIY
Super easy (no advanced crafting skills needed; the hardest part will be getting the grommets locked on the hat)
Budget-friendly using items you may already have
Completely customizable—colors, fabrics, details are all up to you
One-of-a-kind—no one else will have your exact hat
This project is one of those rare DIYs that feels just as fun to make as it does to wear. You’re not just creating a hat—you’re creating a vibe.
Tie it on if you want!
👒Functional Fashion
I have had a hat fly off my head before on a boat, so the bandana can be tied around the back of your head to keep the hat on tighter as needed. Or, they can be left down, as it is beautiful either way.
A full look at the creation is below!
✂️ What You’ll Need
Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
Wide-brim hat (felt or structured fabric works best)
Bandana (any color or pattern you love, I got my Floral Paisley scarf at Target)
Grommet kit (I got mine at Hobby Lobby but Amazon has them, my grommets were about the size of a quarter)
X-Acto knife (or a utility knife)
Leather strap (reuse the original if your hat has one!)
White textile paint (I did a mix of textile paint and acrylic, both work on fabric)
Cotton candy pink acrylic paint
Paintbrushes (small detail + medium)
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
🤠 Step-by-Step: Create Your Custom Boho Hat
1. Start with a Base Hat
I used a hat I already had from a friend. It originally had a leather strap, so I removed it with scissors to give myself a clean starting point. I used a lint brush to get it clear of my dog’s hair, lol!
Cutting holes for the grommets
2. Cut Holes for Grommets
Using an X-Acto knife, carefully cut small holes on each side of the hat (near the base of the crown). These will hold your grommets and give that elevated, custom look. Make sure they are even, and slightly up a bit if you are adding the leather strap around the base of your hat like I did.
Secure the grommets
3. Add the Grommets
Insert and secure your grommets into the holes and hammer the back grommet onto the front to secure it. This instantly gives your hat that boutique, high-end western feel. I had to hammer this outside on a wood bench several times to get it flat. This is probably the most difficult part of the hat! This short video on YouTube will show you how to attach grommets.
Adding some details
4. Reattach the Leather Strap
Hot glue the leather strap back onto the hat where it originally sat, tucking it slightly under the grommets. This adds texture and keeps that rustic country vibe.
Thread the bandana through the grommets
5. Thread the Bandana
Fold your bandana lengthwise and slide it through the grommets. Let the ends hang underneath the hat—this not only looks adorable, but you can actually tie it under your chin or behind your head on windy days (functional and cute). I was on a time crunch, so you can add this after painting if you are not sure you can paint without getting it on the bandana.
Painting abstract details
🎨 Paint Your Boho Design
Now for the fun, creative part—painting!
Use white textile paint as your base for soft boho patterns
Bring in personality with cotton candy pink acrylic paint
Add accents with gold acrylic paint for a glam touch
Think: dots, lines, florals, tribal-inspired shapes—whatever feels you. There are no rules here, which is what makes it so fun. I matched my design to the patterns of some of the feathers. Let it dry fully before moving on.
Tucking in the feathers
🌾 Add Feathers + Natural Details
Tuck feathers and grasses into the bandana around the base of the hat. This gives it that effortless, earthy boho finish. I added a few swipes of paint to them to coordinate their colors even more.
Adding some touches of paint to the feathers
You can swap these out (and you can change the bandana) anytime depending on your outfit or season or you can hot glue them on. Mine tucked in nicely and stayed put without having to glue them.
Now wear it proudly! I love how mine turned out and you can change the colors and design to fit your own needs.
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.