First it was tracksuits, then anything tie-dyed. Now, with heatwave weather looming, hairdresser waiting lists at capacity and a summer spent working from home on the cards, there’s a new lockdown trend on the horizon: scrunchies.
Maybe it’s because they’re a purse-friendly treat that doesn’t make you want to hide the package from your partner/parents. Perhaps it’s the fact that high ponytails and messy buns are the most hassle-free hairstyles to employ while running after a toddler and simultaneously chairing a video call. Quite probably it's because hairdressers have now been closed for months, and your hair - like ours - has developed a wild life of its own. Either way, scrunchies have been selling like little silk and velvet hotcakes, with searches, according to global search platform Lyst, increasing by 27% month-on-month. Pinterest, too, reports that searches for the accessory are up by a whopping 6309%.
Not only have Rixo’s printed scrunchies proven popular during lockdown, but co-founder Henrietta Rix has noticed that customers are buying them to match their dresses. ‘Whether you’re popping to the shops, going for a stroll or chilling at home, scrunchies are perfect for pulling your hair up, especially when the weather heats up,’ she says.
It’s a similar story at Stine Goya, where scrunchie sales are up 17%. ‘Let’s be honest, not everyone is waking up and putting on a full lock for a day at their makeshift desk. If you are, I salute you!’ says Goya. ‘Scrunchies are a cheerful, colourful, inexpensive way to give a little personality to your WFH look.’
In terms of styling, you might not think the scrunchie has much bandwidth - but you'd be wrong. The influencer Nnenna Echem has a three-step process to making yours look elevated. 1) Match your scrunchie’s print to your outfit. 2) Wear two at once, at the top and middle of a low ponytail. 3) Top it off with a satin headband. Follow those rules and, trust us, you won’t have anyone screeching, ‘A scrunchie!’ like an incredulous Carrie Bradshaw in your direction.
SHOP: The Best Hair Scrunchies
1 of 19Anisa Sojka, Black Oversized Hair Scrunchie, £22
2 of 19Slick Back Scrunchies x Anna Choutova, £8
3 of 19Roop Margot Scrunchie, £16
4 of 19COS, Organic Cotton Scrunchie, £12
5 of 19Weekday, Organza Scrunchie, £4
6 of 19Stine Goya, Scrunchie Ice, £12.50
7 of 19Ganni, Silk Stretch Satin Scrunchie, £20
8 of 19Fendi, Floral Print Silk Twill Scrunchie, £220
9 of 19Rixo, Micro Mod Scrunchie, £18
10 of 19Urban Outfitters, Oversized Mesh Scrunchie, £10
11 of 19Anisa Sojka, Ivory Oversized Hair Scrunchie, £22
12 of 19Versace, Green Silk Print Scrunchie, £100
13 of 19Slip, Silk Large Scrunchies, £39
14 of 19Yolke, Black Silk Scrunchie, £20
15 of 19Valet, Satin Scrunchie, £30
16 of 19Oliver Bonas, Floral Print Hair Scrunchie, £12.50
17 of 19H&M, Scarf-Detail Scrunchie, £3.99
18 of 19Anisa Sojka, Pearl Hair Tie, £19
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