Well, I feel vindicated. Not to sound smug or anything, but I really do. For searches for headbands are up by a whopping 900 per cent, and I've been extolling their virtues for the past few years, to no avail. In fact, since Gossip Girl filled our lives with reason (just me?) the first time around, I've been Blair Waldorf-ing my way through Anthropologie, mostly, collecting headbands like they're going out of fashion (they were), only to find that I was ahead of the curve when they came back in this year. So smug.
Of course, it's mainly Prada that put them well and truly back in fashion's good books. The fashion house took the padded satin headbands of yore (once favoured by the Duchess of York in the 90s) and turned them into one of last spring's most-coveted accessories. At one point, to track down a Prada headband was probably more unlikely than, say, a Gossip Girl reboot! Oh, hang on...
Here we are, in 2020, faced with an uncertain political future and the former star of the Celebrity Apprentice occupying the White House. What do we need? A Gossip Girl reboot, of course! And we've got one. So, yes, while Prada is undoubtedly the reason why you've suddenly seen headbands catapulted back into the global consciousness, you can bet your bottom dollar that this Gossip Girl news is behind the very swift rise in searches for them.
Frankly, what's not to love? Blair knew what she was doing. She managed to manipulate the world into seeing her bad hair day saviour as a status symbol. Honestly, it doesn't really matter what my hair is doing, a headband provides the Gossip Girl of all distractions and, I've found, can also work in lieu of a hat for weddings and other formal functions. Blair would approve.
In the real world, too, celebrities are enjoying the delights of this accessory. Take Janelle Monae, who recently debuted what can only be described as Big Headband Energy, which she paired with a polka dot dress from Reformation. I have not been able to stop thinking of this ensemble since first I saw it. Yes, I am that obsessed with headbands.
While we must wait to see if headbands are, in fact, a key character in their own right in the new series of what must be one of the most nuanced, gripping and beautifully written television dramas of all time (The Wire? No, I'm still talking about Gossip Girl), shop some of the best below and wear them like Blair would want you to. No, not like that. The bow goes on the right, stupid.
SHOP: Give Yourself Big Headband Energy
The Best Headbands
1 of 16& Other Stories, Chunky Satin Headband, £17
2 of 16Ganni, Beaded Flower Headband, £150
3 of 16Dolce & Gabbana, Gold-Tone, Faux Pearl and Crystal Headband, WAS £975 NOW £487.50
4 of 16Anthropologie, Arcadia Headband, £38
5 of 16Accessorize, Wide Pleated Knot Headband, £9
6 of 16ASOS, Black Velvet Padded Headband, £6
7 of 16Wald Berlin, Pink Velvet Headband, £155
8 of 16House of Layfayette, Bow Headband, WAS £110 NOW £55
9 of 16Lelet NY, Swarovski Crystal-Embellished Velvet Headband, WAS £150 NOW £75
10 of 16Anthropologie, Bette Headband, £28
11 of 16Emin and Paul, Purple Flower Hairband, £28
12 of 16Prada, Satin Headband, £190
13 of 16House of Lafeyette, Lili 1 embellished padded-velvet headband, £265
14 of 16Oliver Bonas, Timothia Floral Print Bow Headband, £19.50
15 of 16Fendi, Printed wool-blend felt headband, £220
16 of 16