The Meaningful History of Headbands
They’re not new. They’re not particularly groundbreaking. But the power of headbands cannot be understated. Here’s where to get yours.
This article was originally published on Novemver 21, 2023 and has been updated.
I’m not saying headbands are magical. But I’m not not saying that, either. You see, the age-old accessory is so much more than an individual item — it’s a loose concept rich with possibility and shape-shifting powers. It can punctuate a preppy statement, add intentionality to an athleisure outing, and complement a coquettish aesthetic. It’s no wonder that as fashion veers toward minimalism, the ostensibly simple add-on is absolutely thriving.
These days, every outfit seems to look better with a headband. Look no further than the roster of It girls flocking to the versatile doodad in all its forms. Mostly recently, model Kaia Gerber took the trend to new heights (er, widths?), accesorizing her après-ski outfit in St. Moritz with a super-wide Jennifer Behr headband.
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Bella Hadid and Laura Harrier have been sporting sporty black bands in their chic street-style outings for a while. Headbands in all their varying forms have emerged as a red carpet trend — from Precious Lee and Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala to Shay Mitchell’s doll-like look at the Barbie premiere.
i’m still not over shay mitchell’s look from the barbie premiere pic.twitter.com/3yBOpjgxzy
— tori (@voguepearls) August 14, 2023
And during a viral fashion-filled press tour this past summer, Jennifer Lawrence had a penchant for pairing thick, puffy headbands with her revolving door of elegant outfits. She has carried her love of the classic hair accessory into autumn, wearing a less voluminous leather version for the unveiling of the 2023 holiday windows at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC on November 20.
Headbands are shaping up to be the must-have accessory of 2023. How does such a simple adornment have so much impact? Just refer to its head-spinning history, where different iterations have functioned as crowns of cultural commentary. In the 1920s, Vogue notes that headbands were used to push back on sartorial restrictions and often complemented defiantly chopped hairstyles. In the Second World War, headbands took on a functional role, with the iconic Rosie the Riveter famously fastening on a polka dot bandana to match her “We Can Do It!” message. Through the decades, varying headbands have starred in presidential campaign trails and ’80s workout posters. Transformation is at the core of the head-adorning style.
So while the headband trend is not new, there’s something fresh about its revived popularity — particularly when compared to the previous decade. The 2010s brought crystal-spun hair accessories with maximalist embellishments and bright colours. But 2023 is the age of quiet luxury and Sofia Richie minimalism. Now, headbands subtly elevate outfits with too-cool-to-care sophistication that is once again sparking cultural discourse. Take the renewed popularity of the simple black workout band, which Dazed called a sleuth status symbol. Not bad for something you can buy at a drugstore.
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Above all, with their crown-like appearance, headbands communicate a certain kind of self-aware confidence. This is probably why, as much as they change, they’ll never go out of style. From polished slip-on designs to sleek stretchy materials, there’s a headband out there for every mood. Below, FASHION has curated the best options on the market right now.
The autumnal outfit add-on
I’m all for living in the moment, but when I see something that screams fall fashion — regardless of the time of year — I have a duty to click add-to-cart. This was the case for this duo of velvet headbands. Sold together in colours black and rich burgundy, these headbands have an autumnal preppiness that would thrive alongside a plaid skirt and knee-high boots. Cher Horowitz would be proud.
The sleek leather option
If something embellished or pastel feels too sweet, a minimal headband iterated in black leather should give the girlish silhouette just enough toughness. Sported by Jennifer Lawrence for a holiday event in NYC with a classic preppy pairing of a crisp white blouse and black blazer, we love the idea of wearing an edgier fabric like leather with a festive ensemble: Think: a pair of grey silk trousers and a tonal knit top with a black leather headband and pumps (and maybe a dash of sparkle in the earlobes). Done!
The collegiate accoutrement
A sturdy brown headband reliably communicates a well-dressed ready-to-learn mindset. Case in point: This tonal-brown slip-on piece by Sophie Buhai is handcrafted with acetate and shines with varying rich burl shades. Pair it with a cropped vest and slouchy slacks for a quintessential prepster look.
The bow-adorned accessory
ICYMI, bows are kinda big right now. Designers Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha are arbiters of the girlish add-on, which puts a decidedly romantic spin on everything it touches. Take this velvet design from Lele Sadoughi, which features a soft oversized bow that adds a dreamy delicate touch to any outfit.
The affordable status symbol
Black stretchy headbands are no longer just for going to the gym. They’ve become a subgenre of the headband craze, cemented as a staple of trendy outfits — and not to mention a saving grace for lazy hair days. This fan-favourite Amazon offering comes with ten super soft elastic bands that thankfully won’t give you a headache. Pro tip: place it slightly on your forehead to cover your hairline for an egg-adjacent final look that inexplicably works.
The Barbiecore option
The headband trend is Barbie-approved, obvi. Apart from styles worn by stars on the film’s press tour, Margot Robbie’s doll character was an originator of the 2020s headband craze, via the polka dot hair accessory she wore in a promotional poster from last year. This hot pink cushioned style is so comfy you’ll forget you’re wearing it. And since pink is officially the new black, it goes with everything.
The delicate flower crown
I’ve never given much thought to the uniform for frolicking through a field — until I spotted this Simone Rocha gem. The crystal accessory is adorned with daisy-like beaded flowers for a feminine take on the headband trend. Style it with a frothy babydoll dress and slip on a pair of ballet flats for the perfect ethereal summer day ensemble.
The quiet luxury look
Worn by Jennifer Lawrence during her aforementioned summer press tour, this Jennifer Behr satin headband is generously padded for a luxe finish and guaranteed all-day comfort. Lawrence wore it to appear on Hot Ones, the interview show where celebs answer questions while eating painfully spicy chicken wings. How does one make that look good? The answer is this headband.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
, accesorizing her après-ski outfit in St. Moritz with a super-wide Jennifer Behr headband.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kaia (@kaiagerber)
Bella Hadid and Laura Harrier have been sporting sporty black bands in their chic street-style outings for a while. Headbands in all their varying forms have emerged as a red carpet trend — from Precious Lee and Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala to Shay Mitchell's doll-like look at the Barbie premiere.
https://twitter.com/voguepearls/status/1690877223828377600
And during a viral fashion-filled press tour this past summer, Jennifer Lawrence had a penchant for pairing thick, puffy headbands with her revolving door of elegant outfits. She has carried her love of the classic hair accessory into autumn, wearing a less voluminous leather version for the unveiling of the 2023 holiday windows at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC on November 20.
Headbands are shaping up to be the must-have accessory of 2023. How does such a simple adornment have so much impact? Just refer to its head-spinning history, where different iterations have functioned as crowns of cultural commentary. In the 1920s, Vogue notes that headbands were used to push back on sartorial restrictions and often complemented defiantly chopped hairstyles. In the Second World War, headbands took on a functional role, with the iconic Rosie the Riveter famously fastening on a polka dot bandana to match her “We Can Do It!” message. Through the decades, varying headbands have starred in presidential campaign trails and ’80s workout posters. Transformation is at the core of the head-adorning style.
[caption id="attachment_475161" align="alignnone" width="280"] Photography courtesy National Archives/Getty Images[/caption]
So while the headband trend is not new, there’s something fresh about its revived popularity — particularly when compared to the previous decade. The 2010s brought crystal-spun hair accessories with maximalist embellishments and bright colours. But 2023 is the age of quiet luxury and Sofia Richie minimalism. Now, headbands subtly elevate outfits with too-cool-to-care sophistication that is once again sparking cultural discourse. Take the renewed popularity of the simple black workout band, which Dazed called a sleuth status symbol. Not bad for something you can buy at a drugstore.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by LAURA HARRIER (@lauraharrier)
Above all, with their crown-like appearance, headbands communicate a certain kind of self-aware confidence. This is probably why, as much as they change, they’ll never go out of style. From polished slip-on designs to sleek stretchy materials, there’s a headband out there for every mood. Below, FASHION has curated the best options on the market right now.
The autumnal outfit add-on
I’m all for living in the moment, but when I see something that screams fall fashion — regardless of the time of year — I have a duty to click add-to-cart. This was the case for this duo of velvet headbands. Sold together in colours black and rich burgundy, these headbands have an autumnal preppiness that would thrive alongside a plaid skirt and knee-high boots. Cher Horowitz would be proud.
Shop Now
The sleek leather option
If something embellished or pastel feels too sweet, a minimal headband iterated in black leather should give the girlish silhouette just enough toughness. Sported by Jennifer Lawrence for a holiday event in NYC with a classic preppy pairing of a crisp white blouse and black blazer, we love the idea of wearing an edgier fabric like leather with a festive ensemble: Think: a pair of grey silk trousers and a tonal knit top with a black leather headband and pumps (and maybe a dash of sparkle in the earlobes). Done!
Shop Now
The collegiate accoutrement
A sturdy brown headband reliably communicates a well-dressed ready-to-learn mindset. Case in point: This tonal-brown slip-on piece by Sophie Buhai is handcrafted with acetate and shines with varying rich burl shades. Pair it with a cropped vest and slouchy slacks for a quintessential prepster look.
Shop Now
The bow-adorned accessory
ICYMI, bows are kinda big right now. Designers Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha are arbiters of the girlish add-on, which puts a decidedly romantic spin on everything it touches. Take this velvet design from Lele Sadoughi, which features a soft oversized bow that adds a dreamy delicate touch to any outfit.
Shop Now
The affordable status symbol
Black stretchy headbands are no longer just for going to the gym. They've become a subgenre of the headband craze, cemented as a staple of trendy outfits — and not to mention a saving grace for lazy hair days. This fan-favourite Amazon offering comes with ten super soft elastic bands that thankfully won’t give you a headache. Pro tip: place it slightly on your forehead to cover your hairline for an egg-adjacent final look that inexplicably works.
Shop Now
The Barbiecore option
The headband trend is Barbie-approved, obvi. Apart from styles worn by stars on the film's press tour, Margot Robbie’s doll character was an originator of the 2020s headband craze, via the polka dot hair accessory she wore in a promotional poster from last year. This hot pink cushioned style is so comfy you’ll forget you’re wearing it. And since pink is officially the new black, it goes with everything.
Shop Now
The delicate flower crown
I’ve never given much thought to the uniform for frolicking through a field — until I spotted this Simone Rocha gem. The crystal accessory is adorned with daisy-like beaded flowers for a feminine take on the headband trend. Style it with a frothy babydoll dress and slip on a pair of ballet flats for the perfect ethereal summer day ensemble.
Shop Now
The quiet luxury look
Worn by Jennifer Lawrence during her aforementioned summer press tour, this Jennifer Behr satin headband is generously padded for a luxe finish and guaranteed all-day comfort. Lawrence wore it to appear on Hot Ones, the interview show where celebs answer questions while eating painfully spicy chicken wings. How does one make that look good? The answer is this headband.
Shop Now
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.){kind=link}