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19 adorable fashion scrunchies to shop now
Finally, a trending accessory that *won't* break the bank
As any millennial will tell you, there was a moment in our youth where scrunchies were firmly *out* of fashion. For a while, they felt like a too-recent relic from the 80s or 90s, along with our mums' fluffy curled fringes, leg-warmers, and crinkly perms. But nowadays? You won't catch us leaving our house without one on our wrist. Or in our slicked-back bun. (Look, it's not wash day yet, okay?)
The fashion pendulum has finally swung back in that direction, but in 2023, we're super-sizing scrunchies, and buying them in fun prints. We're adding ruffles! We're doing gingham! We're splurging on real silk! The humble drugstore scrunchie has blossomed into a statement accessory all on its own, and every fashion brand is hopping on the trend.
Not only are scrunchies gentler on your hair than a traditional tight black hair elastic, but they're an affordable way to switch up your look. Think about it: you could do a limp founding fathers low pony with a plain hair bobble, sure. Or, you could do the exact same low pony, but add some *pizazz* with a jumbo colourful scrunchie. Boom. Instant vibe change. A simple jeans-and-a-white-vest look goes from blah and basic to a Pinterest 'fit, just with the addition of a giant plume of ruffles atop your head. We don't make the rules.
So, ready to shop for your new favourite accessory? Right this way...
The fashion girlies love their scrunchies as oversized as possible, and Arket's giant blue one is some of the best bang for buck we've seen on the high street yet.
A Good Squish is without a doubt London's favourite scrunchie. Founder Billie-Jo Cronin and her growing team handcraft them sustainably from deadstock fabrics, so each piece is unique.
If anyone was going to nail the perfect floral scrunchie, it was always going to be Rixo. Aka the queens of the floral party dress (and our hearts).
Logomania lovers, do we have a *treat* for you. How good is this Burberry check hair bobble?
Jumbo? Count. Us. In. From the chic olive colour to the XXL ruffles, we're in love with this OTT elastic from Free People.
Ganni's animal-print scrunchie will add flair to any simple jeans-and-tee outfit, or just look cute on your wrist all day. It's basically a bracelet.
We're bringing life back to our wash day tresses with Ruka's cosmic statement scrunchie. Slick back bun, here we come.
Protect your hair from damage in these gentle pure silk styles that won't cause friction. And the Positano-inspired prints? Very Tomato Girl.
For under a tenner, this fluffy Kitsch scrunchie will effortlessly zhush up any updo.
This black-owned, Norfolk-based small business makes all its gorge scrunchies by hand in limited quantities. What's not to love?
What do you get when you cross the quilted jacket trend with this summer's favourite hair accessory? Free People's pink puffy bobble, which is perfection.
This is another hair tie on our list that we're filing directly under the Tomato Girl aesthetic. We'll wear ours with a romantic white sundress, Aperol spitz in hand, pretending to be on the Amalfi Coast.
The clue's in the name: this designer bobble almost looks like you're wearing a pretty flower in your hair.
This slow and sustainable fashion brand make every piece to order. Get the full look with the coordinating scarf and sarong wrap.
It wouldn't be a scrunchie roundup without the OG affordable accessory legends at Claire's. We're into this mega hot pink number.
We're into everything Stine Goya is putting out lately, and this cool graphic elastic is no exception.
Sometimes it's best to stick with the basics, and our vote is UO's black and white two-pack of scrunchies. They're oversized but not dramatically so, and will go with absolutely everything.
Another floral stunner from Rixo. Honestly, we'll take one in every colour, please.
Maddy Alford is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, covering fashion content online and in print. Maddy specialises in shopping galleries and first-person reviews of the best fashion buys, from jeans and jewellery to wedding dresses, gymwear, and winter coats. She also writes op-eds on on pop culture, viral fashion moments, travel journalism, fitness, and the LGBTQ+ community's relationship with style. Maddy is also a fashion stylist who has worked on over 100 photoshoots at Hearst, including those starring Raye, Niall Horan, and Lena Dunham. Previously, she has worked in fashion PR and e-commerce, including stints at ELLE US and UK, Net-a-Porter, InStyle, and Time Out New York. Maddy has ten years of experience in the fashion industry in both London and New York City, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is passionate about second-hand shopping, inclusive fashion, running on Regent's Canal, and finding London's cosiest pubs.
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