When it comes to hair, I’m with the band!
THERE’S no greater sartorial superhero than a well-placed fashion accessory. Cinderella heels, wow earrings and a pop of bright lippy — they are all part of a woman’s instantly transformative kit, items that can change you from ‘wrung dry multi-tasker’ to ‘social animal with sparkling conversation’.
But this year there’s a new player: the Alice band.
Don’t worry. We’re not talking something plasticky with scratchy comb teeth, but instead the new grown-up hair piece.
Miuccia Prada often pops one into her collections for Prada and Miu Miu, but for the spring/summer 2019 show every Prada model walked down the runway crowned with a supersized hairband. The look conjured images of Anne Boleyn’s regal headwear (despite many bands being decorated with studs).
At London Fashion Week, Faustine Steinmetz accessorised all of her autumn/winter 2018 looks with tortoiseshell hairbands, barrettes and plain, old-fashioned hair clips.
The High Street has taken note with some fantastic options, such as the Johnny Loves Rosie’s Cara headband (€28.89, johnny-loves-rosie.
com) that gives Dolce & Gabbana a run for its money.
Or try a sleek black band at Accessorize — perfect if your desired effect is 1960s Catherine Deneuve (€3.90, accessorize.com).
SO, WHY are hairbands, and hair accessories in general, having a renaissance? Pearl-encrusted barrettes by Simone Rocha are beloved by celebrities such as Alexa Chung, while Vogue fashion director Venetia Scott is said to eschew jewellery for clusters of hair accessories worn on her slightly messy signature bun.
Even on the red carpet, I’ve spotted slightly undone hair embellished with gorgeous crystal barrettes.
Slightly mussed-up hair is key. Where once glossy, blowdried, religiously ironed hair was the ultimate night-out look, now women are too busy to spend hours in a hairdresser’s chair before going out.
That is where the superhero hair accessory comes into its own. Wash, comb, put a band on it . . . and go! I have a Valentino Rockstud hairband which has been doing me proud for years. But do experiment with cheaper options before investing.
Comfort is important — a hairband that’s pinchy can give you a headache before you’ve even left the house. As trying on in store is not encouraged, you’ll have to make your best judgment — look out for padding.
There are also plenty of knotted, turban styles in the shops. Mango has a beautiful satin, crystal-embellished number that’s pure femme fatale (was €19.99, now €9.99, mango. com). And check out Anthropologie’s elegant printed headbands (now from €9.99, anthropologie.com). They deliver glamour with a capital G.
It’s been a big year for velvet, and I’ve spied velvet hairbands popping up on the heads of the cool, young accessory buyers in my Net-a-Porter office. Just don’t wear one with a striped shirt with the collar popped — and no pearls or loafers, unless you want to look like a Sloane Ranger circa 1985.
One thing is for sure: the Alice band trend will be staying with us well into spring with ballet-inspired minimalist bands on the runways at Dior for spring/summer 2019. Channel this look with H&M’s hairband in mustard yellow (€5.99, hm.com).
And, of course, those showstoppers at Prada will be the standout spring accessories. So go on, get in with the band. Just think of all that time you’ll save by not straightening your hair!