Vanessa Traina in Givenchy
It’s been a few years now, but the image of Vanessa Traina wearing a gleaming Givenchy headband is still fresh in our minds. It helps that she’s an international fashion icon, and it also helps that she can count Givenchy Creative Director Ricardo Tischi among her closest friends, but what strikes us as true fashion is that she’s wearing the headband out on normal day. Gutsy? Definitely. Glam? There’s no doubt. If you’re not one to muster the fashion chutzpah of wearing a gladiator-meets-diabolic accessory on your daily grind, Halloween is the perfect time to give your sartorial limits a little bit of a stretch.
Go big and bold — or just make a subtle nod — with our favorite picks. The best part? They lean towards costume, but they’re not costumes, meaning you can add one to your favorite LBD for an office party or with a sequined cocktail dress at a holiday get together with friends. Do it right and you might just have people talking about you long after Halloween and the holiday season and right into 2014.
Eugenia Kim Marique velvet and georgette flower crown headband
Costume suggestions: Fairy princess, fashion blogger at a music festival, haute milkmaid, hippie
Eugenia Kim is known for her statement headgear. She started with hats and then moved on to add knit millenary pieces as well as a men’s line and — the ultimate coup for a fashion brand — a Target collab. The designer has also expanded outside of hats alone to include a line of luxe headbands that are perfect for girls who frequent the garden party circuit. If you don’t happen to be part of that set, the Marique velvet and georgette flower crown headband ($155) also works for weddings, music festivals and more. It’s one way to add a huge impact with just one piece, which might be why diminutive hipster songstress Lana del Ray is often seen sporting a floral crown on stage.
Available at Net-a-Porter.
H&M headband
Costume suggestions: Cabaret mouse, burlesque bear, various glamorous critter, in-the-know fashion editor with a sense of humor
Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham and Rihanna have all been spotted (and Instagrammed) wearing cheeky headbands with rabbit, cat and mouse ears done up in glittering rhinestones or delicate black lace. In the case of Swift, it was for a music video, but the others were just wearing the ears out to red carpet events just to give their gowns a big dose of whimsy. While this look definitely veers into tween territory, celebs ground their animal-ear headbands by pairing them with more conservative pieces or all-black ensembles. We suggest you do the same and wear these sequined ears (just $7.95) with a simple black cocktail dress. We’re betting you’ll be the only one at the office party brave enough to have a little fun.
Available at H&M.
BCBG Wings Headband
Costume suggestions: Greek goddess, angel, Anna dello Russo
Only good girls need apply, because the BCBG Wings Headband ($48) is an angelic touch you can add to just about anything. Take your favorite draped dress and wear it with these wings to become an instant goddess, add strappy sandals and you’re basically heaven-sent. A subtle sprinkle of rhinestones adds a bit of bling, so prepare to turn heads every time you move yours.
Available at BCBG.
Henri Bendel Bond St. Headband
Costume idea: Gossip Girl extra, daughter of anarchy, punk rock princess
This is undoubtedly the most wearable, most understated and all-around versatile option, but that doesn’t mean that the Henri Bendel Bond St. Headband ($48) is boring. It’s something you can wear no matter what your look since it’s simultaneously punk, prep and delicate. Wear it with a leather moto (or vegan, if that’s more your taste) jacket for a sweet spin on Sons of Anarchy or go goody two-shoes by wearing it with a plaid skirt. It’s the easiest piece to wear off-season, too, because after the costumes get put away, it’ll still hold your hair back in high style.
Available at Henri Bendel.
Images courtesy H&M, BCBG, Henri Bendel, Style and Net-a-Porter.
