Padded Headbands: from Blair Waldorf to the Prada catwalk

The latest it accessory was one we began spotting in the street style reportage images of the last Fashion Weeks. The padded headbands have been worn by influencers and fashionistas in many different versions, from in a more ladylike mood to a more sporty attitude. The credit once again goes to Miuccia Prada, who brought it back on the catwalk in her latest collections.
The padded headband has emerged as the ultimate accessory of the season. And although for Blair Waldorf, it made her signature look as a sort of crown, the 2019 version has a more fun, playful mood. Without the 80s affectation, the accessory gets a new twist able to give personality even to the most minimalist of outfits. 

History

The first time a version of the hair accessory appeared was probably during the laurel wreath of ancient Greece, but throughout centuries there have been several different types. There were turbans and feathers with an exotic mood worn in the roaring 1920s, 1950s headscarves, hippie bands from the 1960s, 70s sporty sweatbands and so on up until today. The maxi version is the trend of 2019, the same model loved by the English aristocracy is back in the spotlight: from Anna Bolena to Lady Diana and Kate Middleton.

Celebs

Everyone has worn it at least once. Thin, wide, with bows or decorations, each girl has chosen the version that best suits her style and era. From Anna Karina and Audrey Hepburn in the '60s to Alicia Silverstone in the cult '90s Clueless, up to Chloë Sevigny or Alexa Chung in our days.

Gossip Girl 

It's thanks to this series that the padded headband - and more generally the headbands - have made a huge comeback, spotted in a series of different reiterations by the queen of the Upper West Side Blair Waldorf. 

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