Headbands are making a comeback and are seen everywhere; are you ready to add this item to your collection?
May
Spotted both on runways and in the street style of celebrities, headbands have been welcoming their “revival” recently, blending 90s nostalgia with a touch of athletic elegance (suitable for both daily wear and special occasions). The “small yet mighty” headband has officially made its comeback! Lately, it seems everyone is obsessed with pairing headbands with various unique outfits.
History Headbands trace their origins back to ancient Greece and Rome, around 475 – 330 BCE. Worn during special occasions, these wreaths were adorned with gems, gold, and silver on the bands, considered the earliest form of headbands. In history, Olympic champions would wear these wreaths on their hair.
In the 1920s, headbands and Gatsby-style wraps were extremely popular (think of feathered headbands adorned with precious stones tied on Daisy Buchanan’s head with plastic bands or ribbons). Following that, headbands were often used as accessories for the iconic beehive hairstyles. After the social phenomenon of the Summer of Love in 1967, with the free love of Woodstock, the hippie movement, this accessory became even more popular.
The Alice band – a special type of headband made of plastic or elastic material in a circular shape – became popular in the 19th century due to the fame of Lewis Carroll’s novel “Through The Looking Glass,” derived from the character Alice, the main female character of the novel who often wore a stiff headband.
Of course, we can’t discuss headbands without mentioning Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy and her minimalist style of the 90s. Kennedy was famous for wearing thin, hard plastic headbands, sometimes spotted with dark brown spots, as well as multicolored headbands when going out. Even recent TikTok girls have discovered where Kennedy used to buy headbands, namely CO Bigelow (a pharmaceutical and beauty brand in Greenwich Village).
Trends Cotton headbands have long been a favorite accessory of supermodels, trendsetters like Bella Hadid. People often see Bella wearing many types of headbands, although she prefers thicker, stretchier, more athletic headbands for everyday wear.
From left to right: Sydney Sweeney; Sofia Richie Grainge; Olivia Rodrigo; Zendaya. Even blockbuster actress Sydney Sweeney recently wore a thick headband, emphasizing the allure inspired by her 70s era when attending a Miu Miu dinner party during Paris Fashion Week last autumn. Sofia Richie Grainge, Olivia Rodrigo, and Zendaya are also some famous names who have recently joined the “headband obsession” club.
Recently, on the Fall/Winter 2024 runways, headbands have appeared everywhere in various forms; if Conner Ives opts for models wearing classic black headbands, Bronx and Banco choose to add some sparkling embellishments. Even in the Spring/Summer 2024 season, this item still deserves to be a highlight on the catwalk. Regardless of the material or style, headbands remain a classic accessory, ready to “sweep back your hair” according to any mood or fashion style.
