MUSE Magazine Issue XIX

CRAVING HAIR CANDY By Kaia Depelteau PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRESNA SOEYANTO

24 I’ve worn my hair at a length somewhere above my collarbone since ninth grade. This style has always suited my features, and I enjoy the lightness and manageability of a ‘lob’ (long bob). I do, however, sometimes yearn for the play associated with having longer hair – French braids, space buns, and high ponies, among others. Fortunately, my prayers were answered this past summer, when a surge in the popularity of hair-related fashion accessories presented a playground of styling opportunities for all hair lengths. This summer, I was in Norway and noticed the prevalence of oversized barrettes, especially the pearl and metallic ones, which added a certain oomph to the minimalism of Scandinavian style. When I returned to Canada, another accessory, the ever-versatile bandana, had quickly asserted itself as a wardrobe staple in my life. Whether I was sweaty from the fortydegree weather, fresh out of yoga class, covered in grease at the restaurant, or merely wanted to add an easy, playful element to my outfit, I found myself wearing some kind of a bandana or fabric headband on almost a daily basis. This latest wave of hair accessories is primarily linked to the resurgence of Y2K fashion, seen on and off the runway for the last few seasons. First, came the scrunchie takeover, followed by the use of butterfly clips and kindergarten-esque barrettes. Nostalgia plays a central role in this trend, and hair clips and ties became not only a fashion statement but a dive into the simpler times of Lizzie McGuire and Lipsmackers. 24

Bandanas, especially coupled with the summer staple of tie-dye, takes me back to the days of summer camp with zero responsibility. There is also the ever-preppy headband, reminiscent of Blair Waldorf and back-to-school. Another route is the timeless, elegant version of the style. My mother often throws her thick, curly hair up in a claw-shaped clip. I remember my younger self, enchanted by the gold, tortoiseshell, and colourful versions of her staple accessory. Inspired by the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, I find myself drawn to silk square scarves when thrifting. They can be worn like a traditional bandana wrap, around a ponytail or bun, so they flow down elegantly in the back, or even tied onto your bag when they’re not in your hair– the options are endless. The trend of hair accessories is one that invites play and creativity into your day-to-day style. Hair can act as a canvas, and the possibilities for clips, bands, and ties are infinite. To kick up your look a notch, you can match your hairpieces to your makeup, jewelry, or clothing. The effect of the look is one that highlights your creativity and places emphasis on your hair and facial features – two of the most personal, unique aspects of your physical appearance. Then again, hair accessories can also be a simple way to keep your hair out of your face as you go about your dayto-day life. Whether you go early 2000s or 60s, dressed up or dressed down, one thing is clear – hair accessories are in, and they’re here to stay.