If there’s anyone who could take a '90s hair staple like the headband and turn into something absolutely regal, it’s Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.
The former Kate Middleton looked stunning in a black, sparkly headband as she attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. She used the band to hold back her loose waves, and completed the look with an understated, off-the-shoulder navy dress.
Best of all, her padded rhinestone headband was affordable, retailing for just $23 from Zara. (Thanks to the "Kate Middleton effect," the accessory is already sold out on Zara's UK site.)
The duchess loves a chic headband, and she has been single-handedly bringing back the retro trend. Back in January, she donned a thick cobalt blue headband as she headed to Sunday church service in Sandringham, along with her husband and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
The duchess made her first public appearance of 2019 wearing a blue Catherine Walker coat dress that matched her bowed headband. (Catherine previously wore the coat dress last year while pregnant with Prince Louis and visiting Norway on official business.)
The duchess has been fond of using headbands as hair accessories, and if there’s anyone who could help bring them back into fashion, she would be the one.
In 2018, Catherine took the headband to the next level, selecting a plush, velvety hairpiece to wear to a World War I armistice service at Westminster Abbey in London.
The former Kate Middleton paired the black headpiece with a another Catherine Walker coat, this one a turquoise piece that she also wore for St. Patrick’s Day last year.
The chunky, statement headpiece, designed by London milliner Jane Taylor, complemented the duchess’s go-to chignon.
To get a similar look, we love this knotted version from Anthropologie or this velvet padded one from Etsy that comes in various sizes.
Catherine also chose an embellished headband as she attended the christening of her third child, Prince Louis in 2018.
She wore a skinny, polka-dotted headband at an event in 2016, and, of course, she perfectly pulled off the preppy look.
The duchess sported a braided headband when she headed out on a fishing boat during a royal visit to Canada in 2016. Hey, it was probably windy on that boat, and maybe she figured a headband was the perfect way to keep her hair out of her face, while still showing off her signature long waves.
And, of course, she has been rocking the ultimate headband for years now.
Now, that is one accessory best left to the royals. But priceless diamonds aside, maybe the duchess' fondness for headbands will spark a big return of the ‘90s trend!
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The Shop TODAY team is here for a headband moment, especially when worn by one of our favorite royals. Read on for some of the duchess-inspired headpieces we're loving right now.
1. The Molly Headband
This velvet headband comes in six seasonally appropriate colors and includes extra padding for a voluminous, on-trend look.
2. Pearl-Studded Velvet Headband
Headband queen Lele Sadoughi teamed up with J. Crew for a collection of festive headbands for the holiday season. This knotted velvet style in a winter white would be great for anyone with dark hair.
3. Braided Velvet Headband Set
With four different colors, this set of braided headbands will be a match for pretty much every outfit in your closet.
4. Gold and Pearl Headband
This elegant pearl headband is a great option for more formal occasions.
5. Multi-Stone Velvet Headband
We may not be able to get our hands on a tiara, but this bejeweled headband is the next best thing.
This story was originally published on Nov. 13, 2018.