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Headband Hairstyles: Chic Styles to Get You in Your Headband Era

Blair Waldorf would approve.

In the world of beauty, trends come and go as quickly as the weather changes, but there are some fads that truly shock us when they make a reappearance. I mean, if you told me that skunk hair and bows were going to come back in 2024, I wouldn’t have believed you, but I would be pleasantly surprised.

I’m all for trying out an old style again and giving it a modern upgrade, but for a while I thought my headband era would stay in middle school. Back in my tween days, I rarely went a day without a headband, and as a result thought the style to be adolescent as I grew up. But, nowadays, hair experts are predicting a resurgence in popularity for headband hairstyles, and it’s literally all of our Blair Waldorf dreams come true.

Featured Experts

• Amy Abramite is the creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
• Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist

What are the biggest headband trends right now?

Gone are the days of using pre-wrap (IYKYK) to keep your flyaways at bay and calling it a day—the headband hairstyles of today are much more chic and elevated, Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, explains. “Bows and ribbons like RPZL The Michelle ($20) are trending for a night out and RPZL Denim Classic Headband ($20) for casual day wear with jeans,” she says, “The shapes are fun and creative with a variety of fabric and sizes for standout accessories from terry cloth to silk or even a crocheted material.”

What are the best occasions to incorporate a headband? 

While we may think of headbands as a more casual accessory, Abramite explains that headbands are a great way to dress up your hairstyle for an array of special occasions, from a holiday party to a wedding. “The best occasions for headband hairstyles are special occasions! Make a big statement with oversized pearl and velvet headbands to dress up any outfit for a wedding, date night or celebration.”

What are the best headband styles for short hair? 

Choosing a hair accessory for your specific hair type can be difficult. As Abramite explains, when it comes to short hair, “Slimmer metallic options with delicate jewels that won’t overwhelm shorter hair styles” are the best bet. “The bands are thin, lightweight and sparkle with gold or silver accents.”

In the example below done on socialite Olivia Palermo, celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos shows how using a simple, slimmer headband on short hair or updos can create a nostalgic, ’60s-inspired look. Palermo’s headband hairstyle keeps her hair out of her face but also draws the attention to her perfectly messy updo.

What are the best styles for long hair?

For longer hair, Abramite says, “A braided headband that seamlessly blends into the hair like the RPZL Braided Headband ($25) instantly adds a stylish touch with minimal effort. Pop it on for a quick change and go with a loose, classic or fishtail braid with multiple color choices.”

For Giannetos, a simple, flat headband is the perfect addition to a long hairstyle. In the example below, Giannetos created a sleek yet elevated look on singer Camila Cabello by placing a simple black headband right on the crown of the head, letting her long, silky black strands take center stage.

What are the best headband styles for textured hair?

In terms of textured hair, whether curly or coily, Abramite explains that the shape and structure of the headband you choose is key. “Textured hair is often thicker and fuller making a wider, sturdier band more effective to hold in place,” she explains. “A taller design with a knotted style will stand out beautifully on hair with volume.”