Making the Band
This is certainly the summer of the headband. They’re everywhere from Walgreens to the Gap to Neiman Marcus. Anthropologie has some very pretty options in crinkled silk, open-knit, and embroidered cotton. Target has almost fifty different headband choices in a variety of widths, colors, prints, and patterns. There are stripes, polka dots, paisleys, and ginghams, some on fabric, some not. I am now the proud owner of a cute blue plastic headband with white polka dots, as well as a thin metal triple headband that makes me feel like a Spartan warrior’s wife. Neither band cost more than $20, proving my philosophy that the best things in life often come with small price tags (excepting the Pucci scarf of course!)
Hair Hybrids
Even with all of the choices available in headbands, there are more options still. My friend Nannette turned me onto the homemade headband/headscarf hybrid. I’ve certainly found that when I have a basic headscarf tied behind my neck, the knot has to be tightened and the scarf readjusted periodically. The beauty of the hybrid is that you get the look of the headscarf with the security of the headband—no more tightening and adjusting.
They’re fairly easy to make. You cover an ordinary plastic headband with the fabric of your choice, securing it with glue and leaving a length of fabric dangling off either end. Depending on the type of fabric you’re using and also how fussy you are about raw edges and finished looks, you may need to use a needle and thread or some more glue to fix up those dangling ties.
Of course, if the idea of DIY makes your hair stand on end, you can easily buy the hybrid scarf/band at the standard go-to’s for accessories: Forever 21, Gap, Target, Anthropologie, as well as all major department stores.
With three new hair ornaments, my stylish side is happy, but my practical side is thoroughly unsatisfied. As cute as the headbands and hybrid are, I need a reserve for the days I can’t even be bothered—I need a hat.
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