If there’s one thing you can count on with trends, it’s that they’re rarely gone for good. What’s old somehow always finds a way to be new again. But unlike the more controversial trends of the moment (say, dad shoes or Tevas), the revival of kiddish hair accessories has been met with little resistance. Probably because they can easily transform your look, and they’re often more affordable than a new bag or hair color. Who can’t get behind that?
So, in case you need a few pointers to get started, we asked five women who exemplify hair goals to share their tricks for wearing accessories for any hair type. Some found ways to elevate the look, while others revel in the childish nature of it all. Regardless, they have more than a few pieces they’re obsessing over right now. Read on for their styling tips and which accessories they’re currently eyeing.
Festival fashion has become its own category of dressing. Stores have entiresectionsdevotedto it. But it’s not necessarily something you want to invest a lot of money in, considering how much it cost to get out to the festival in the first place and especially thinking about the conditions you and your outfit will find yourselves in: out in the elements for hours and around thousands of people for multiple days on end. More often than not, everything you so carefully packed comes home with some sort of damage—or, worse, has disappeared altogether. When Ariana Grande is on the agenda, though, a missing scrunchie should be the last of your worries. Instead of shelling out a fortune for accessories that end up torn, muddied, or otherwise abandoned, stick with the affordable finishing touches in the following gallery that are just as festive. All the bucket hats, belt bags, and heart-shaped sunnies you could ever want—but also, wouldn’t feel hurt to lose—are ahead.
Every mundane happenstance in the lives of Gigi and Bella Hadid has become tabloid fodder at some point. Whether they’re leaving the house or wearing a thing, commentary on their movements and whereabouts is guaranteed. Recently, a tweet from a large publication about yet another average Hadid activity—carrying books, to be specific—is drawing eyes for the wrong reason.
Back at Fashion Week, both Hadid sisters were photographed carrying the books they’re currently reading. For Gigi, it’s Albert Camus’ French classic The Stranger. For Bella, it’s Stephen King’s thriller The Outsider. As a former English major and present-day book hoarder, I was excited to get a peek of what the Hadids are reading in their spare time, in case I could add them to my own reading list—and then I moved on.
Gigi Hadid, minding her own business and carrying a book.
Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images
Bella Hadid, also minding her own business and carrying a book.
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images
The New York Post, however, had other ideas about their handheld literature. In a tweet to a story about their outfits, the newspaper called out their paperbacks as the “hot new accessory of 2019.” The accompanying story went on to imply that the models coordinated their outfits to their books, because a model would prefer to carry her book instead of reading it.
Calling books a “hot new accessory” is wrong for, well, many reasons. Number one, books have been in circulation for literal centuries (look it up); “hot new” trends usually have an expiration date. Number two, calling their books out as accessories—ornamental and for show—somewhat implies that the Hadid sisters are more interested in the appearance of reading and less in the substance of reading itself. Even if you can appreciate how a nice book cover looks propped up next to a latte on Instagram, you have to admit that this language is a little absurd.
It might have been meant as a joke or a way to bring their reading choices into the conversation, but the tweet didn’t go over well. I wasn’t the only one who took notice and had questions—the reactions on Twitter were swift. Publishers like Scholastic Books and Little Brown Co, and social media users shared the same opinion on the matter: Books aren’t anything “new,” and designating them as an “accessory” because Gigi and Bella Hadid carried them is low-key condescending to both.
Trivializing women who happen to be successful and beautiful, and also enjoy immersing themselves in literature, also isn’t anything new. Take last winter for example, when Amber Heard shared a shocking story from her experience on the set of Aquaman. She enjoyed reading between takes while they were filming, until costar Jason Momoa would tear pages out of her books to get her attention. “He adopted this method of ripping out the pages of my book so I would pay attention to him,” Heard told ABC NEWs last year. “It would drive me crazy because I’d have 30 pages left and it would be gone.”
The Post has a history of designating normal and otherwise unremarkable things as “trends” just because they’re associated with women. (Remember when it tried to call cleavage a “movement” in 2017?) Whether Gigi and Bella Hadid had “stepped out” with their books or not, books are doing just fine without them. Print book sales actually rose 1.9 percent in 2018, according to Publisher’s Weekly. An endorsement from a celebrity from what to buy to how to vote never hurts—but in this case, that wasn’t the point.
So when a model leaves the house with a book in her hand, it’s not a “fashion moment.” It’s something they’re entitled to do like everyone else. Gigi and Bella, keep on keeping on with your books. Also, hit me up if you need a recommendation.
Having fun with hair accessories is back in a big way. Take the scrunchie renaissance of last year, hair bows, and this winter’s claw clip comeback. To get as far as possible from their former reps, the new version of each trend is starkly chic and has the price tag to match. ($35 scrunchies are most definitely a thing now.) These cool, unexpected looks, however, let you try the accessory life without investing in something that does the job of a rubber band. Track down every M.I.A. hair tie, rogue barrette, and ribbon to make your hair look money—for $10 or less.
One inevitability this time of year is that as soon as the weather turns even a little bit chilly, we start having visions of crackling fires, cozy sweaters, and hot mulled cider—never mind if in reality, our experience of winter tends to be slushy commutes, chronically dry skin, and DayQuil. Somehow, the fantasy of the season persists, which makes now the perfect time to stock up on faux-fur accessories while they feel like a novelty rather than a necessity. It may not be cold enough for a pair of fluffy mittens quite yet, but keep them on hand and you won’t be cursing yourself for procrastinating come late November, and pieces like colorful, cruelty-free scarves and handbags can be worn now with lighter jackets, and later with puffer coats. Below, shop 20 of the season’s best.
