Beauty

This headband is making a mega comeback

By Marit Schutten | #!30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:003430#30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:00-2Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202630 10pm30pm-30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:002Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam2026302026Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200052059pmThursday=9#!30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam9#09-10-2026#!30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:003430#/30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:00-2Europe/Amsterdam3030Europe/Amsterdam202630#!30Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:05:34 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam9#

Close-up of the zigzag headband making a comeback, with Hailey Bieber as inspiration for the hair trend.

There are trends that I thought I would leave behind forever. The zigzag headband is definitely an example of that. In 2023, I wore this thing daily, but now that a few years have passed, they just sit at the bottom of my accessories drawer. The headband that adorned every head in the early 2000s made a cautious comeback a few years ago. And now? The zigzag headband is back in 2026 as the fashion trend of the moment.

And honestly: I get it. Even when I think about how quickly such a thing broke.

A Y2K favorite

The zigzag headband was once indispensable in the street scene. From schoolyards to red carpets: the headband was worn by big names like Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Paris Hilton. David Beckham also made the headband iconic in the 2000s.

Then what happens to so many trends happened: we were done with it. The headband disappeared to the bottom of our toiletry bag and made way for other accessories. Until the Y2K trend struck again.

The comeback started as early as 2023

Anyone who thought the zigzag headband was only reinvented this year completely missed the first comeback. In 2023, the zigzag headband was already spotted again. Glam wrote at the time that the zigzag headband became popular again that year thanks to the Y2K resurgence. Billie Eilish was also spotted with the zigzag variant.

Bella Hadid also helped with the comeback. During Fashion Month she was spotted by Vogue and was labeled with a effortless look, partly due to that headband.

The zigzag headband is now everywhere

In 2026, the comeback seems to be truly complete. Hailey Bieber was spotted multiple times this summer with the zigzag headband, giving the accessory a hefty dose of It-girl status. But the real proof that the headband is really back? Miu Miu.

The Italian fashion house brought the zigzag headband back for runway Fall/Winter 2026. And I think that's the moment when I think: okay, we can't ignore it anymore. The thing you used to buy for a few euros at the drugstore is now just among the designer looks.

Yes, they still break

What I still remember from when I wore the headbands daily is that no matter how effortless it looks in your hair, those things break quickly. To this day, the zigzag headband is still not exactly indestructible.

Anyone who had one back then knows exactly what I mean. You pull it apart a bit too enthusiastically and: crack. You sit on it: crack. You thoughtlessly toss it in your bag, between your keys and lip gloss, and you guessed it: crack.

And yet I just bought a new one again. I don't know what that says about me, but apparently, I was fine with buying an accessory that I already knew would break within a few weeks. Maybe that's the charm.

From nostalgia to fashion statement

What in 2023 was still mainly a nostalgic Y2K comeback is in 2026 just a serious fashion statement. From Billie Eilish and Bella Hadid to Hailey Bieber and now also Miu Miu: the zigzag headband has reestablished itself.

So if you still have one lying around at home: don't throw it away. In fact, I would take it out of that drawer.

Image: Instagram | Hailey Bieber