My Little Obsession

Cute or pretty, glamorous or practical there is something so magnificently appealing about headbands. Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight, big or flat they are the ultimate accessory brightening up any do.

Like most girls there is one thing that I just simply cannot stop looking at. It doesn’t matter how many I have or how similar they are, there will always be room for one more. That’s headbands. They are our multi-tasking friend that is always there to lend a helping hand even when we are having a bad hair day.

It is so hard to resist the lustrous silks and sleek satins that grace the sides of gorgeous wrapped headbands that are set off by glittering beads and beautiful bows. Or there are the Grecian plaits of gold enriched fabrics intertwined and placed around the head. How could anyone not be head over heels for headbands?

Looking around I can see that I am not the only one. There are many hair band culprits out there. Whether it be a tied scarf or a string of pearls everyone seems to be loving the look which has evolved over many years, dating back to cave men times when they accessorized with teeth and bones. I wouldn’t go as far to say that I’ve noticed people donning the caveman trend but certainly variations of the Ancient Greek wreath.

From wreaths to headbands this joyful little accessory has undertaken a journey through time beginning with the Ancient Greeks who created wreaths out of olive branches. It was the Romans that stylized wreaths using precious metals and, fascinatingly, wood too. But like all trends it laid dormant for a while until the 1800s when headbands were thrown back onto the scene this time with a twist. Women began decorating them with feathers, jewels and flowers. With the headbands back in business the swinging sixties introduced a hippy uni-sex style of wild flowers, ribbons, silks and scarfs. But it wasn’t until the 1900s that fashion designs took this little historical style gem and transformed it into a serious fashion accessory both elegant and stylish.

With an assortment of headbands gracing the scene it is even harder than ever to resist. Around 2004 when Boho Chic was at its height the bohemian, hippy influences created an influx of headbands with the likes of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie donning the look, it only popularized this fashion.

Gossip Girls very own Blair Waldorf is to blame for the current continuous stream of schoolgirl bowed, ribbon, turban hairpieces. The fashionita has turned a style quirk into a fashion trend with her continuously present hairband.

We can hardly complain when there is literally a style for everyone and there is no denying they are the most functional accessory, besides a watch and bag a girl could own. Whether you’re treating a bad hair day, festival hair, trying to keep your mane pinned down or just jazzing up an outfit they are perfectly brilliant.