Padded, Thick, Super Wide, or Embellished Headbands. Fashion Trend 2022

• The Hatista
• Trends
• November 4th 2020 / Last Revised: October 20th 2022

There are many "Hat" trends that we’ve been able to thank Kate Middleton for over the past decade, and the latest is the thick padded headband. Ever the fashion-forward dresser, the Duchess has made several appearances wearing the hip accessory. Worn by Kate for Remembrance Sunday services, for Christmas at Sandringham, at Westminster Abbey, and for the Christening of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at Windsor Castle.

Through 2020, and the rise in number of people making video calls, zoom meetings, and other calls from home, hair accessories are the fashion accessory of the moment - all that is required to "Dress Up" for the day. A t-shirt and a chunky headband and you're set for the next video call, or zoom meeting.

Working form home you may have skipped a few days of washing your hair, and as for the daily blow dry (definetely not done those). Throwing on a fashionable headband is a super easy way to get Zoom meeting ready. A perfectly placed headband takes minimal work but makes a maximum impact.

The super thick variety isn't the only headband to make a come back though. Dolce & Gabbana have been adding the heavily embellished headbands to their collections and catwalks for a few years, and Prada, Simone Rocha and many other designers had wide, tall, jewelled, embellished or pearl headbands on model after model walking the runway shows. Every '60s or surf-inspired look was topped off with a satin or bejeweled headband that looked anything but school girl.

It's official, the headbands that most of us haven't worn since we left school (with exception of "Gossip Girl" trend adopters in 2008 of course), are now one of the most fashionable of accessories to wear.

Today, elaborate or oversized headband designs aren't just your bad hair day saviour, they can make your whole outfit casual or formal. Since Zoom calls have replaced our heading out to meetings, formal and social, we concentrate our fashion sense to how we are seen from the shoulders and above. Headbands frame your face, and give you an excuse to post a new selfie with every new headband in your collection, almost daily. They can also be great conversation starters on video calls, even if you haven't actually tended to your hair in three days.

Of course the Prada, Fendi, Simone Rocha and Dolce & Gabbana luxury headbands aren't within everyone's budgets - although considerably cheaper than buying one of their handbags. Don't worry though, as with all hot trends from the runways, the High Street and Handmade artists of the world have jumped in to help those on low and mid budgets, so you can start your collection relatively cheaply, and as with most handmade, if you search the right places you can find "one of a kind" designs that no one else in the world will have. Be warned though, for many, headbands can become as addictive as shoes!!.

Padded, or Embellished Headbands, like oversize barrettes and hair clips, add interest to any outfit either casual or formal, and look great on zoom calls, or other video calls. Pair one with a T-shirt and jeans to spice things up on the weekend, wear with your work wear to show your fashion sense, or wear one with a dress for a regal look at weddings and formal events. The velvet variety are also perfect for Autumn / Winter wedding guest outfits, when floral hats and fascinators are less suited to the cooler weather.

For a real day to night style statement, opt for one of the crystal-embellished styles in versatile black or soft nudes (peach, honey or blush); great when combined with a casual ensemble of jeans and a T-shirt to create a delightfully modern look, but also perfect for a wedding guest ensemble.

If like the Duchess of Cambridge, you've developed a newfound love for hair accessories, or want to show your fashion sense on Zoom calls then I've picked out all the best I could find for you below. Some for those on a Luxury Budget, some affordable by most, and some so cheap you can almost buy a different one to wear each new day of the season. This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've selected you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.

1. "Thin Headbands, with details. Perfect for evenings out, flower girls, and bridesmaids, or those not ready to adopt the larger widths."

Below is a gallery of some of the prettiest smallest widths or you to adopt the trend with.

2. "The regular width Headband we wore as kids, but with new grown up embellishments"

Below is a gallery of some of this seasons current offerings of the regular headband, with new embellishments for the season.

3. "Oversize, Super Wide, Chunky Headbands. Adopting the trend started by Kate Middleton in the Fall of 2018, and one of the coolest accessories to come from the runways over the last few years."

Below is a gallery of some of the most ornate, or simplest of the oversize chunky headbands, including hand embroidered, shell embellished, feather embellished, and jewel embellished, and my suggestions to Summer or Winter designs.

4. Some that are a little different, Wacky, Novel, or Festive.

Had to add some with Festive Cheer for the Winter. Couldn't resist I'm afraid....