- Hair accessories offer an opportunity to test out trends without making a huge investment.
- Hair experts say tortoise shell barrettes and headbands, bandanas, and French pins are trending this fall.
- Colors like chocolate brown, dark red, and forest green are also popular.
There’s nothing like the start of a new season to revive your wardrobe, and few are as full of potential as fall. The stores and streets are full of fall staples and new trends, from classic trench coats (and the newly ubiquitous cropped trench) to leather jackets, earth-toned suede, and fringe…everything. And though revamping your whole closet isn’t always feasible, accessories can go a long way, allowing you to test a trend without making a huge investment.
In recent years, hair bows, headbands, and claw clips took center stage. And though those are still en vogue, new colors, textures, and silhouettes are gaining traction. For one, the chocolate brown trend has made its way to hair accessories. “Our customers are leaning into beautiful neutrals and chocolate shades for the fall season ahead for sure,” says Julianne Goldmark, the founder of hair accessories brand Emi Jay. “Searches on our site for brown are up 270 percent, and we’re seeing a lot of customers styling their hair with their favorite tortoise accessories.” Goldmark lists “French pharmacy staples” like barrettes and tortoiseshell prints, among recent trends. Blushington Hair stylist Anari Laboard seconds that, naming French pins among the accessories she’s seeing more and more of.
Read on to find out what other trends hair experts are co-signing this fall.
Meet the expert
- Anari Laboard is the lead hair stylist at Blushington beauty lounge’s New York location.
- Hayley Heckmann is a celebrity hairstylist for TRESemmé. Her clients include Sofia Richie Grainge and Alessandra Ambrosio.
- Julianne Goldmark is the founder of hair accessory brand Emi Jay.
Tortoiseshell Accessories
Courtesy of Emi Jay
“We’ve seen these traditional French pharmacy-styled accessories popping up a lot over the last few years,” says Goldmark, pointing out that Emi Jay has seen increased sales in barettes as of late. “With girls embracing a half-up, half-down and simpler hair-styling, I think these accessories will be all over this season.”
A half-up, half-down style secured with a tortoiseshell barrette oozes quiet luxury. Goldmark adds that customers have been asking for “tortoise and solid acetate headbands with teeth for that Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy inspired look.” And with Ryan Murphy’s series following CBK and JFK Jr.’s love story out this winter, those requests are sure to multiply.
French Pin
Another French pharmacy staple, the French pin is a U-shaped tool that looks effortlessly elegant. “It’s a very low-maintenance, very low tension way for you to put up your hair and have it still look done,” Laboard says. Try tucking your lengths into a French twist, or use it to secure a piecey low bun.
Bandanas and Hair Scarves
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
“I’m seeing a lot of bandana scarves with sort of a western vibe,” says celebrity hair stylist Hayley Heckmann. It’s fitting given the recent trend toward western-inspired details, from cowboy boots and hats to fringe jackets and denim shirts.
Jewelry-Like Accessories
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Charms came for our jewelry bags, our shoelaces, and now they’re coming for our hair accessories. This season, jewelry-like hair accessories are gaining speed, whether that’s clips with dangling charms, metallic pony holders that could double as bangles, or embellished pins that adorn the hair like earrings.
Red Hair Accessories
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“I’m seeing a lot of dark reds, maroons, and forest green,” Heckman says. Pops of red have been trending for a few seasons now, and hair accessories remain a ripe opportunity for testing the trend.
Oversized Scrunchies
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
An easy way to spice up a simple outfit is with a statement scrunchie, which Heckmann says she’s seeing more and more often. Wrap it around a low bun or use it to secure a braid or half-up, half-down style. It’s a small accessory with a big impact.
