#Accessories
Scrunchies Are The “It” Hair Accessory, And We’re Loving Them Right Now
by Sidney Burds
What’s old is new again, and this time scrunchies are coming back. I was an initial hater (I’ll admit) but now I’m full converted.
The ’80s were a rough time for fashion—you don’t have to have lived through that whole decade to know. My mom admits that she made several mistakes in the name of fashion back then and, to this day, her old high school and college pictures crack me up. It’s like no one heard of the concept “less is more” and kept piling on excess everything. More color! More volume! More makeup!
So needless to say the world of high fashion was freaking out a bit last fall when Mansur Gavriel NYFW S/S 2018 show had models gliding around with their hair loosely pulled back in none other than scrunchies.
Scrunchies, if you don’t recall or suppressed it in your memory, are the epitome of ’80s hair accessories. The design is simple, yet packs a punch. An elastic band with a scrunched up—usually very colorful or neon (it was the 1980s after all)—piece of fabric wrapped around it.
But this newly envisioned image of the scrunchie, with vintage satin fabrics and gently pulled back, textured locks gave the fashion community pause. These scrunchies were chic!
And as I looked down at my tried and true, simple, black hair tie that’s always on my wrist and getting knotted in my hair I spoke words that were once unimaginable, “Maybe it’s time to give scrunchies a try.”
The fact of the matter was I actually did own a couple scrunchies, they just hadn’t gotten much use besides holding my hair back while I washed my face. I actually latched onto this accessory trend a little early when shopping at American Apparel during its insane going out of business sale last year. I got a handful of cotton scrunchies for a dollar along with some other killer deals (humble brag I managed to snatch a cropped fisherman sweater for $7.80), but got them as a fun hipster headpiece, not the chic ladylike hair tie we now know and love.
Now I wear mine all the time. Tying multiple silk scrunchies at once in a loose ponytail with a cotton, off-the-shoulder dress for date night. I love wearing my black, cotton, knotted scrunchie with a chunky knit sweater and skirt for chilly days at the office. In addition, a printed cotton scrunchie with a monochromatic leggings and a sports bra look for looking chic at yoga. I look put together at class, and if I have plans after and want to wear my hair down, there won’t be any indents unlike with basic hair ties.
Ponytails, half up half down, accentuate a bun, use multiple at once, the possibilities are endless. I love them because they have a soft bit of texture that adds a romantic edge without being overpowering.
Lucky for us all, this trend is easy to partake in. You can score a scrunchie on the cheap while still nailing the style. Take a scroll below to see my picks for shopping this trend and also some fabulous styling inspo!
Free People Bow Scrunchie, $6 or 3 for $12
UO Velvet Hair Scrunchie Set, 5 for $12
NamJosh Navy Velvet Burnout Scrunchie, $16
Slip Silk Large Scrunchie Set, $39
Days of the Week Scrunchie Set, 5 for $12
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