Bella Hadid just wore 2025’s unexpected must-have accessory
Ah, the humble stretchy headband. Once solely the remit of P.E. kits and sweaty gym sessions, this versatile little accessory has burst its way out of the gym and into the streets.
Supermodel and style icon Bella Hadid was spotted on the streets of New York on Thursday, wearing hers atop a slick back bun paired with leggings, a zip up jacket and a trusty pair of knee-high boots.
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Despite its associations with athleticism and practicality, the stretchy headband has evolved over the years into a fashion staple.
Historically worn by athletes to serve the purpose of keeping your hair out of your eyes (very effectively too may we add), during the 1960s they became the icing on the cake to bouncy bouffant blow dries associated with the decade.
Lets face it, Brigitte Bardot never looked better than when she starred in Contempt wearing her signature stretchy headband teamed with razor sharp liquid eyeliner that we spend most Saturday nights trying to recreate.
During the 1980s, thanks to icons like Jane Fonda sportswear-meets-fashion never felt more fabulous. A unitard will always have a place in our hearts, thank you Jane.
As athleisure stomped into popularity in the 2020s, leggings, crop tops and headbands were shunted into the spotlight once more.
The just-nipped-out-from-the gym look gives pure effortlessness, going hand in hand with our current obsession for neutral colour palettes and slick silhouettes. In the Venn diagram of 2025 high fashion, minimalism and sportswear undoubtedly overlap.
The headband’s genius lies in its versatility. It will dilute frillier ensembles while adding a bit of edge, gives adds a touch of no-nonsense energy to a simple jeans and a T-shirt formula.
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Plus keeping your hair out of your face is just bloomin' handy sometimes isn’t it? Now we just need to remember where we left ours…
