There are accessories that we thought would forever be stuck in class photos, between butterfly hair clips and glitter lip gloss. This spring, one of them leaves our teenage memories to parade at the forefront of the trend: thin, wavy, notched, it glides over the hair in one movement and instantly changes the look. It’s hard to believe we’re talking about a simple plastic headband.
Worn yesterday in the corridors of the college, it was spotted at the beginning of March at Paris Fashion Week, on the catwalk of Miu Miu’s fall-winter 2026-2027 show at the Palais d’Iéna. That day, the cult accessory from the 1990s and 2000s officially returned to service and entered all beauty conversations.
Zigzag headband: the cult accessory of the 1990s-2000s
Long classified in the kitsch category, the zigzag headband alone sums up the aesthetic of the college years: an extendable comb, often black, which pins the hair backwards, creating a wavy line around the face. This visual signature is now fully part of the revival of the Y2K aesthetic, which brings back to the forefront everything we wore between 1995 and 2005.
In the 1990s and 2000s, he left the playground for red carpets and music videos. David Beckham, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and even Keira Knightley have given this notched headband a pop dimension. More recently, Bella Hadid has already brought it back into the spotlight during the Prabal Gurung fashion shows in 2018 and then David Koma in 2022.
Paris Fashion Week: how Miu Miu is making a comeback
On March 10, 2026, Miu Miu made the zigzag headband the real star of its fall-winter 2026-2027 fashion show at the Palais d’Iéna. To twist the house’s very studied silhouettes, British hairstylist Guido Palau chose this little serrated headband for female and male models. A unique accessory, placed on often loose hair, was enough to give a schoolgirl or Y2K skater look to ultra fashionable looks.
Gillian Anderson closed the show with this same wavy headband, taming her blonde lengths while clearing the face. And then, a detail that made the rounds on the networks: the actress kept the accessory when leaving the fashion show, photographed in the streets of Paris with her twisted headband. A sign that the trend is already leaving the catwalks to become an everyday hairstyle idea.
How to adopt the zigzag headband this spring
If the zigzag headband comes back so strong, it’s also because it makes the hairstyle almost automatic. On straight hair, it creates a very 2000s sleek look by bringing all the mass to the back. On fine hair, hairdressers point out that it can give the illusion of volume at the top of the head. On curls and frizzy hair, it helps to frame the face without breaking the texture, as long as you don’t tighten too much.
On the budget side, it remains faithful to its DNA as a large-scale accessory: it is easily found online or in stores for around $3 to $6, sometimes less than $5. Because ultimately, it is above all its ease of use that makes it desirable. Simply slide it over a low ponytail, a fuzzy bun or wavy lengths to go from a basic look to a confident Y2K spirit, for both stylish girls and boys with mid-length hair.
Is the zigzag headband suitable for short hair?
Yes, as long as there is at least a few centimeters of length left on the top. On a bob or a long pixie cut, it allows you to open up the face and add a very quick graphic twist.
Does zigzag headband hurt your head?
A model that is too rigid can create tension behind the ears. It is better to choose a fairly flexible headband, with rounded ends, and avoid wearing it all day if you are sensitive.
How do you keep a zigzag headband from slipping?
On very straight hair, applying a little texturizing spray or dry shampoo to the roots helps the headband stick better. Placing the headband at a slight angle, rather than perfectly straight, also improves the fit.
Can you wear a zigzag headband with glasses?
Yes, but you have to play on comfort. Place the glasses arms first, then the headband just above, being careful not to trap the ears between the two to avoid pressure.
