Scrunchie: The lockdown’s ‘it’ hair accessory
Actors fall for the charm of the ’90s key hairpiece as they quarantine
If you followed Sex And The City series, you’d remember how Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) mocks her boyfriend Berger for mentioning a scrunchie in his novel, stating that no New York woman would be caught dead wearing one. However, the hairpiece has staged a comeback of sorts this quarantine with the likes of Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, Neha Dhupia and Hailey Bieber opting for it. Designer Shruti Sancheti recalls that the scrunchies were a ‘90s staple and one would see variations of them from solids to neon and prints. “This was a cool comfortable hair accessory which helped tie one’s hair up, reduce breakage and add a dash of colour. However, later, many trendy hair fastening variations were introduced and the scrunchie was considered a bit frumpy. With lockdown dressing becoming more and more comfort driven, these pieces seem to be perfect for the tied-up look without any professional help,” says Sancheti.
Stylist Isha Bhansali recalls Sridevi’s vibrant scrunchie in Chaalbaaz (1989) which she wore with cropped denim jackets. “Either style it in a totally ’80s way or make it street millennial. I’d suggest wearing it with an undone ponytail, backcombing it with a few strands of hair coming out. Scrunchie is a lockdown hack,” says Bhansali.
Designer Pria Kataaria Puri was gifted a bunch of scrunchies in baby pink, black and white by her friend. “During the lockdown I ran out of hair bands and there hasn’t been a day when I left my hair open. Either I do a ponytail or opt for a top knot. Scrunchies look stylish as you add a bit of water and gel and make the hair sleek. The scrunchie should be made out of good elastic and fabric and one can put brooches or clips on the hair if one wants to dress it up. Honestly, the rubberband hurts you,” says Puri, who’s contemplating doing a scrunchie line for 2021.