Banding Together for Fall

Blair Waldorf can breathe a sigh of relief, because headbands are officially back in fashion. Straight from the  runways at New York and London fashion weeks, these longtime preppy staples will stick around for awhile. This time, they're getting a cool new makeover.

Last week, at the Doo Ri show, famed hairstylist Orlando Pita predicted that the headband would be huge for fall. He gave the trend a head start by adorning models on the New York runways with the accessory. For a cool, edgy feel at Carolina Herrera, he backcombed the models' hair, wrapping it with black skinny elastic bands. A more girlish, doll-like look was achieved by placing bedazzled satin ribbons on voluminous faux bobs at Oscar de la Renta.

Pita's prediction took flight and landed on the runways of London, thanks to fellow hairstylist Sam McKnight. Turning the classic headband into a boho-chic statement, he used black twisted bands on messy chignons at Clements Ribeiro. The style was easily transferred to Moschino Cheap and Chic, where McKnight used bands in shades of pastel over sixties-era beehives.

Fashion icon and "it girl" Alexa Chung rocked a headband for Emma Hill's Mulberry party, almost guaranteeing its style status. It's still undecided about whether Milan and Paris will jump on the headband bandwagon. Regardless, even if you're not an internationally renowned icon, it couldn't hurt to start hunting for them.


Text Esther Reisberg
Source and Image Style.com

Studs (and there is nothing masculine about them!)

Whether you are a wild child or need to add some pizazz to an outfit, studded accessories are a great way to express your inner tough girl. Metallic details such as studs pair well with colors and neutrals, and chances are these accessories would get a lot of use so don't be afraid to splurge on an investment piece.

Studded shoes such as the Tory Burch stud ballet flats are a great example of fashion and function in unison. L.A. designer Dafne Balatsos has a line of gothic studded and spiked purses which are a tad pricy at around $800 each, but they are truly works of art. My favorite studded accessory is the Givency by Riccardo Tisci leather and metal studded headband. It definitely requires a lot of confidence and hair full of body to pull it off, and is a unique piece for an accessory lover.

If accessories with studs aren't for you, how about a studded leather jacket thrown over a cute dress or your favorite pair of jeans? Topshop's stud biker jacket is a very reasonable $115!

-Erin O'Hara