The chicest hair accessories to elevate your style this festive season (and well into the new year)
Searching for an easy way to elevate your hair this season? Look to the latest hair accessories. As the fashion crowd can attest, the latest headgear to hit the high street is bolder and better than ever before, with the power to transform your look.
Plus, if you didn't manage to book in for a hair appointment pre-Christmas, these hair accessories can cover all manner of sins – from grown out roots to broken ends.
In the past couple of years, scrunchies, the '90s claw clips, headbands and snap clips have all made a comeback, receiving the fashion set's seal of approval. Alongside being a pre-school throwback, they're now a bona fide street style staple.
As for what's trending now, the festive season means glitz, glam, lots of metals (gold, silver, rose gold), lots of gems (crystals and pearls), and more is more (so layer and stack like you mean business).
Want something that can see you into next year? Tortoiseshell is headlining for slides, clips and grips. Headbands are torn between slouchier ruched styles (huge for this season and perfect if you want something more relaxed to pair with cosy knitwear) and rigid metal hardware. Even better, combine both by stacking up two or three Alice bands together. Scrunchies and bows remain popular, with fabrics like organza, chiffon and velvet leading the way.
When it comes to colours, earthy tones and rich gemstone shades dominate the accessories arena, with browns, burnt oranges, emerald and ruby being splashed everywhere.
On the high street, & Other Stories, H&M and Topshop have loads of options to choose from, and for under-the-radar brands, check our Lelet NY, Torteware and Valet Studio. As for which accessory to choose? Layer up headbands alongside scrunchies, and stack clips and grips across your hairline. More is more, so it's time to successorize.
Here are the best hair accessories for the season from the high street and your favourite designers.
Instagram/ @JenniferBehrSo many slides
Gracie Pearl Bobby Pins, £106.70, Jennifer Behr
Create a pretty halo effect by stacking up a series of slides wherever you want to make a statement – it could be around your ear or surrounding the crown of your head. Make like Jennifer Behr and stack up a few different hair grips to create contrast. Or grab anything you've got with a bit of glitz. This gold-plated crystal set from Principles (£5) will add some sparkle.
Slouchy scrunchie
Rumi Velvet Bow, Free People, £15, Free People
A plush velvet bow scrunchie, like this slouchy style from Free People (available in black, emerald and blush), is an easy way to dial up any up ‘do without looking too try-hard.
Instagram/ @leletnyGift-wrapped ponytail
Silk Organza Bow, £60, Lelet NY
Just like your Christmas gifts, when in doubt and you've run out of wrapping paper (or patience with your blow dryer), whack a bow on it.
This organza number from Lelet NY is a pretty place to start – or you could always save the ribbon from your gift wrap.
Embellished headband
Artio Embellished Faux Pearl Cluster Green Headband, £22, Oliver Bonas
You barely have to brush your hair. Stick a suave-looking embellished headband on and you've already gained 50 glam points
Instagram/ @leletnyCream of the crowns
Rock Candy Velvet Crown, £267, Lelet NY
Because if you can't wear a ginormo crystal-sprinkled crown on Christmas, when can you? This dreamboat from Lelet NY is all kinds of ornate, or you can recreate the look with Accessorize's pearl and crystal incarnation (£18).
Sparkly scrunchie
Slip Crystal Collection Scrunchie Haircare Set, £45, John Lewis
The humble scrunchie all dolled up for Crimbo. This one from Slip is ready to get on the Tia Maria’s and dance all night long. Crafted from mulberry silk, it also reduces tangling and breakage. Double win!
Instagram/ @leletnyBow down
Amy Crystal and Silk Organza Bow, £121, Lelet NY
Chic, simple, slightly see-through but with an extra flash of sparkle to elevate things for special occasions, Lelet NY's Amy Crystal Organza bow makes a statement. Or recreate with ASOS' pretty black organza scrunchie (£8).
@iamcharlotteolivia / InstagramStarscape slides
Ella Star & Moon Gem Detail Hair Slides, £12.50, Oliver Bonas
This original line-up is, unfortunately, sold out from Accessorize, but to recreate, try this starburst duo from Oliver Bonas.
Pearl bow barrette
Perlita Velvet Bow Barrette, £163.45, Jennifer Behr
Dress up a loose style with Jennifer Behr's pearl embellished velvet barrette. It makes a seriously chic statement.
@leletny / InstagramDouble threat headband
Mercury Glossy Headband, £167, Lelet NY
Want a style that no-one else is wearing? Layer up a couple of your fave headbands to create something completely bespoke, like this beaded metal and rouched headband (£107) combo from Lelet NY.
@tortware / InstagramStriped hair claw
LORA clip in Candy Cane, £26, Torte
The 90s called, they love that we're channelling Rachel Green again. This pretty striped hair claw from Torte is a nice change from black or brown, plus, it's festive.
@christinakassi / InstagramNegative space claw clip
Open Shape Claw Clip - Hematite, Kitsch, £7
A Kitsch smash hit, you can pick up with the one pictured here for £7, or recreate with & Other Stories' classic tortoiseshell claw (£13).
@leletny / InstagramCircle barette
Galactic Pearl and Crystal Ring Barrette, £114, Lelet NY
If you're hair's wild, overgrown and in need of a hair cut, then you'll be pleased to hear it's probably the ideal length for a knotted updo speckled with a sparkly hair barrette. This starry one from Lelet NY is pretty and delicate.
@tortware / InstagramResin clips
MIMI clip in Orange Sapphire, £14, Torte
Mix and match slides and clips to showcase your fave accessories, like this twisted clip from Torte and these oversized tortoiseshell grips from Oliver Bonas (£12.50).
@valetstudio / InstagramTortoiseshell grips
Greta Hair Clips Set of Two, £35, Valet
Keep overgrown fringes in check with a strategically placed tortoiseshell grip. Valet's offering mix up the marbled tortoiseshell print with some interesting colours.
@yatri / InstagramStacked clips
When in doubt, more is more. So stack up your accessories (the more the merrier). Try COS' trio of tortoiseshell slides.
@whatlydialikes / InstagramTortoiseshell clips
Tortoiseshell Hair Clips Set of Two, £25, The Uniform
Simple but classic. Amp up a half-up half-down hairstyle with the addition of some stylish clips, like The Uniform's tortoiseshell hair clips.
