Heads-Up: There's a new hair accessory du jour among the fashion crowd. And it's not a bow! Headbands are having something of a renaissance. No, not the girthy padded Prada ones we've grown accustomed to seeing in our feeds. (Sorry, Blair Waldorfs of the world.) The newest version decorating models' and showgoers' heads is a thick, 60s- and 70s-reminiscent jersey headband. Like the one you might wear to work out or wash your face, but chicer.
Kidding aside, wide, stretchy headbands have gathered the hair of many an iconic film star in some of their most iconic roles. Think Barbra Streisand in 1973's The Way We Were, Brigitte Bardot in 1962's Vie Privée, Ursula Andress in 1963's Fun in Acapulco. It's not just film stars who've made waves in headbands, though. For her runway debut at Marc Jacobs Fall 2014, Kendall Jenner wore a rich plum headband that accentuated her pearly iridescent makeup and dusty-colored wig.
For a more modern reference, look no further than the Spring 2024 shows. Thick bands encircled models' heads at Stine Goya, Baum und Pferdgarten, Nina Ricci, Prada and Sia Arnika. At Prada, which year in and year out arguably sets the headband standard, they came semi-sheer, in moody black, maroon, navy and evergreen and obscured models' hair almost entirely, save for a few strategically placed wisps of bangs. The rest favored the traditional Bardot-type black band with models' strands sometimes styled with slick-backed exactitude (Stine Goya, Baum und Pferdgarten) or intentionally tousled (Nina Ricci).
Now with the Fall 2024 shows underway, we've already caught several sightings of thick black headbands on showgoers' heads. No surprises here. Between the Prada cosign and the comfort, ease and boldness of a thick jersey headpiece, we expect we'll see many more in the days to come. Finally, a hair trend that is as eye-catching as it is low-maintenance.
Shop our wide headband picks below. In addition to classic jersey bands in various neutrals, there's a jet black Lelet NY piece that tapers at the back for added comfort, a stunning crystal-embellished number from Saint Laurent and a psychedelic-print Pucci, to name a few. In other words, we've got options to suit every aesthetic, day or night.
Free People Super Wide Soft Headband in Morning Oat, $14 at Free People
Lelet NY Annika Headband, $98 at Shopbop
Pucci Abstract-Print Headband, $440 at Farfetch
Prada Re-Nylon Headband, $550 at Prada
Saint Laurent Crystal-Embellished Headband, $850 at Mytheresa
Room Shop Bardot Satin Headband in Purple, $28 at Anthropologie
DesignB London Wide Jersey Headband in Chocolate Brown, $10.50 at ASOS
Out From Under Wide Velvet Soft Headband, $4.99 at Urban Outfitters
Callidae The Headband in Poppy, $30 at Callidae
Urban Outfitters Textured Soft Headband in White, $12 at Urban Outfitters
Los Angeles Apparel Garment Dye Cotton Spandex Headband in Seashell Pink, $14 at Los Angeles Apparel
L. Erickson Italian Bandeau Wide Headbands, Set of 2, $32 at Neiman Marcus