Designer Headbands and Hair Accessories Worth the Investment

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Designer headbands are the smallest piece in the wardrobe that changes a whole look. This week I pulled the twelve designer headbands and hair clips I think are actually worth the investment, from croc-effect leather at Jennifer Behr to the silk barocco print at Versace. Everything here is in stock through my ShopMy links.

A good designer headband does what a good earring does: it finishes the outfit from the top. The pieces below are the ones I would buy again, gift, or wear three days in a row. Shop the full collection here.

On my last London trip I packed a silk headband for lunch at Bistro Freddie. It is the easiest way to look pulled together going straight from a morning walk to a long lunch, and it earns its place in the carry-on every time.

Designer headbands I would start with

For an easy starting point, choose a croc-effect leather headband for everyday polish, a tortoise acetate headband if you wear one daily, an oversized cream claw clip for fast hair, or a barocco-print silk headband when you want color.

Cruz Croc-Effect Leather Headband by Jennifer Behr

For the woman who wants a headband with the weight of a real accessory. The Cruz is Jennifer Behr’s padded silhouette covered in croc-effect leather, the kind of piece that finishes a blazer and knit set without trying.

Consider a croc-effect leather headband. The embossed brown leather reads polished rather than costume, and the padded base gives it presence without height overload.

Jennifer Behr is the name editors reach for when they mean a grown-up headband; the merchant’s product notes call out the croc-embossed finish and the brand’s New York craftsmanship.

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Tortoise Emma Acetate Headband by Lele Sadoughi

For the friend who dresses from the headband down. The Emma is a slim acetate band in classic tortoise, easy with denim and equally at home with a silk blouse.

Consider a tortoise acetate headband. Tortoise is the most forgiving pattern in hair accessories: it works with every hair color and never fights an outfit.

Lele Sadoughi built her brand on statement headbands, and the Emma is the everyday silhouette in the line, lightweight enough to forget you are wearing it.

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Double G Headband by Gucci

For the minimalist who wants one logo moment. The Double G headband is a clean black band with the house’s gold hardware at the crown, a quiet way to wear Gucci daily.

Consider a black Double G headband. Black leather keeps the logo restrained, so it works with tailoring as easily as with a trench.

Gucci’s Double G hardware is one of the most recognizable signatures in accessories, and on a headband it reads like jewelry for the hair.

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Big Effing Clip in Buttercream by Emi Jay

For the friend who clips her hair up before she answers the door. The Big Effing Clip is the oversized claw in a soft Buttercream that holds a full head of hair in one gesture.

Consider an oversized cream claw clip. The cream colorway goes with everything and the wide grip is kind to hair compared with tight elastics.

Emi Jay has a devoted following for this exact clip; the merchant’s listing positions it as the brand’s signature oversized claw for thick and long hair.

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Knotted Jacquard Headband by Etro

For the friend who collects prints. Etro’s headband is wrapped in the house’s jacquard, knotted at the center, in black and gold that reads evening but works by day.

Consider a knotted jacquard headband. The merchant’s notes credit the jacquard motif and the center knot, a nod to the founders’ love of antique prints.

The knot detail gives height in a soft way, and the paisley-like motif is unmistakably Etro for anyone who knows the house.

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The Air-Dry Clips in Carrara by Crown Affair

For the friend who dries her hair on her own schedule. The Air-Dry Clips in Carrara are a set of two crease-free clips that hold hair off the face without leaving a dent.

Consider a pair of crease-free clips. The Carrara colorway looks like cream stone, pretty enough to leave on the vanity.

Crown Affair designs hair rituals rather than hair clutter, and these clips are the piece that turns air-drying into a look instead of a compromise.

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Printed Silk Twill Headband by Valentino Garavani

For the woman who likes her accessories with personality. The Valentino Garavani headband is Italian silk twill scattered with the house’s logo and star print in coral pink.

Consider a star-print silk headband. The merchant’s notes describe Italian-made pure silk twill with the striking logo and star print.

Silk twill keeps it smooth against the hair, and the coral reads cheerful without being loud, a good first designer headband.

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Dahlia Jacquard Padded Headband by Lelet NY

For the romantic. The Dahlia is a padded headband in blush floral jacquard, made by Lelet NY, the label known for hair accessories that look like they belong in a garden portrait.

Consider a floral padded headband. The blush floral reads spring, but with a black coat it is the prettiest bit of contrast in winter.

Lelet NY makes its pieces in New York, and the padded silhouette is one of the most comfortable ways to get volume at the crown.

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Logo Velvet Bow Hair Clip by Miu Miu

For the friend who bows before she bothers. Miu Miu’s hair clip is a pale pink velvet bow with trailing ends and the house logo at the center knot, worn clipped to a low ponytail or a half-up style.

Consider a velvet bow hair clip. The merchant’s notes call out the symmetrical velvet bow, trailing ends and logo hardware at the center knot.

A bow this considered reads like a decision, not an afterthought, and pink velvet with tailoring is very Miu Miu.

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Striped Lamé Headband by Missoni

For the maximalist who treats color as neutral. Missoni’s headband is wrapped in the house’s striped lamé knit, a little zigzag of shimmer that lifts a black sweater instantly.

Consider a multicolor lamé headband. The chevron knit is Missoni’s signature, and on a headband it is a small dose of the look rather than a full outfit.

Lamé gives it light without crystals, so it reads festive in a low-key way, good for holiday dinners that are not quite party-party.

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Broche Vivier Hair Clip by Roger Vivier

For the friend whose jewelry box is already full of buckles. The Broche Vivier clip translates Roger Vivier’s shoe signature into hair: a structured brown grosgrain bow centered with the crystal buckle.

Consider a crystal buckle bow clip. The merchant’s notes describe the structured bow with the signature Broche Vivier buckle at its center, styled into a polished chignon.

The crystal buckle does the work of an earring at the back of the head, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes an outfit look finished.

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La Vacanza Silk Headband by Versace

For the friend on permanent vacation. The La Vacanza headband is silk twill in the pale pink and yellow barocco print, the most joyful thing in this edit.

Consider a barocco-print silk headband. The pale pink base keeps the print wearable, and silk keeps it gentle on hair.

Wear it with a white shirt and gold hoops and it does the whole outfit. It is also the one I would wrap as a gift.

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Frequently asked questions

Are designer headbands worth the money?

Yes, if you choose one you will actually wear. The picks here work hard: a padded band, a claw clip, a silk twill wrap. Cost per wear on a daily headband beats most jewelry.

How do I style a designer headband without looking overdone?

Keep the rest simple. A headband with a knit set, a trench, or a white shirt reads intentional. Skip competing earrings when the headband carries hardware or print.

Which hair accessory makes the best gift?

A bow clip or a silk headband, because sizing is not a question. The Roger Vivier buckle clip and the Versace silk headband both arrive looking like presents.

Shop the full collection: buy it here.

More accessory edits

For more small luxuries, see the small luxuries gift guide. For shoes to wear with these headbands, browse Miu Miu moccasins and the boat shoes to wear now and stylish pink pieces.

Shop the Post

• Jennifer Behr Cruz Croc-Effect Leather Headband
• Lele Sadoughi Tortoise Emma Acetate Headband
• Gucci Double G Headband
• Emi Jay Big Effing Clip in Buttercream
• Etro Knotted Jacquard Headband
• Crown Affair The Air-Dry Clips in Carrara
• Valentino Garavani Printed Silk Twill Headband
• Lelet NY Dahlia Jacquard Padded Headband
• Miu Miu Logo Velvet Bow Hair Clip
• Missoni Striped Lamé Headband
• Roger Vivier Broche Vivier Hair Clip
• Versace La Vacanza Silk Headband