Barrettes Are Back—Here’s How to Wear Them Now
3 min readWhile headbands, scrunchies, and claw clips have generally held their spot in the hair-accessories game, barrettes have somehow been relegated to the back of our childhood memories. But like so many other beauty trends that come and go, a hair accessories renaissance is underway, and barrettes are making their grand return. Queen of luxury hair accessorizing Jennifer Behr attributes the comeback to the brooch trend and says it’s a move toward maximalism in fashion. “We’re seeing all sorts of hair jewelry make a comeback,” she tells ELLE.
If you’re not looking for bridal-level dazzle or trying to re-create the hairstyle from your elementary school photos, how can you wear barrettes as a full-fledged adult? Behr says to think of barrettes more like jewelry for your hair. “Look for materials and silhouettes that are as sophisticated as the other jewelry or accessories that you wear. Lately, it’s really fashionable to pin brooches in unexpected ways, so you can use that as inspiration for your barrette look. Hair can be a canvas for experimentation,” says Behr.
To keep the accessory out of kiddie territory, Leslie Shores, a color specialist at Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, says to avoid plastic barrettes, wild colors like bright pink, and ones adorned with bows. Instead, she suggests metallic, basic metal colors like black, silver, gold, and white. “If you want a pop, go for ones with print. I recommend ones that match your skin tone and outfit,” says Shores.
Look for crystals if you want something sparkly or vintage-looking, and sleek metal shapes if a modern effect is more the vibe. “Our Czarina Barrette has a very modern silhouette but has hundreds of hand-set crystals, so it feels very chic. We also make silk chiffon butterfly barrettes that are hand-embroidered in India. Those are very light and delicate in the hair,” says Behr.
The hairstyle you choose to add a barrette to will also make a difference. Shores says soft waves or a high, loose updo adorned with a barrette will look elevated and age-appropriate. “Wear multiple barrettes on one side instead of just one, or if you wear one on each side, keep them uneven and off-center, wearing one higher than the other on each side. Place it a little far back off your face,” Shores recommends. You can also place them vertically or at an angle, or in the back of an updo instead of horizontally to keep the look modern. “If you prefer a more ’90s hipster look, place them vertically in a line on each side,” Shores adds.
On shorter hair like a bob, Shores suggests stacking multiple in a cluster on a pulled-to-the-side look for more of a “’90s Margo Tennenbaum look, which I think is cool,” she says. There are lots of options, so don’t feel limited to just one barrette or similar shapes, colors, and materials. Mix and match until it feels right for you.
Behr notes that one of the most classic barrette placements is a polished half-up, half-down hairstyle, but says a more modern take would be to sweep the hair loosely, letting a few strands escape around the face, then place the barrette at the back. “I also like to part my hair on the side and pull one side back, clipped with a barrette. It feels very 1920s to me,” says Behr.
Finally, before stocking your barrette collection, consider your hair texture. Most barrettes work on any hair texture, but Stephanie Angelone, master celebrity stylist at RPZL Hair Extension & Blowout Bar in NYC, says thinner, fine hair may struggle a bit to keep these accessories secure. “Sometimes they can slip out if not secured tight enough. If you struggle with this, you can add some texture powder and do a light tease before applying it, so the barrette has a little extra anchor for hold, so nothing slips out,” Angelone suggests. Behr also recommends adding two bobby pins in an X formation in the hair, then clipping the barrette above it.
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