The new style in hair accessories

By Simone Andrea Mayer Oct 13, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Style-conscious women pay a lot of attention to how they look from head to toe, including their hair. This season designers are emphasizing all kinds of hair accessories from barrettes to headbands and from clips to hair ties - exactly the type of things that stylish women often seek for their repertoire.

Though the practical use of hairbands, clips and other accessories is easy to understand - they either hold hair off the forehead or bind it in a ponytail or bun - they also give the hair a bit of flair.

This season materials such as feathers, leather and even knitwear are making the accessories more eye-catching than ever before. Sonja Grau, a personal shopper in Germany, said there are hair ties with pieces of fur and headbands with fur incorporated that go especially well with cold weather.

Frankfurt-based fashion consultant Andreas Rose said this season he has seen hair accessories that incorporate crystals and glittery sequins such as those available from the labels Marc Jacobs, SIX and Redwood Fashion. These are especially good for adding some shine in the winter months. The materials previously were more typically used in chokers and earrings, Rose said. 'Now they are being used to adorn the hair - whether long or short.'

Especially popular for evenings and celebrations are accessories that incorporate sequined material or feathers. The tension in the hoop or band help them nestle into the hair. Depending on their size they can even look like a bonnet or hat, and to emphasize them even more, the hair can be combed back tightly before they are put in place.

Less flashy headbands, such as those available at C&A, with only a ribbon or a knotted strand are worn over a part in the hair. This accessory is less ostentatious and more appropriate for day-to-day wear, said Grau, who recommends choosing ones with small pieces such as Swarowski rhinestones or individual flowers as decorations.

Hair ties also are more expressive than just a few years ago. For many years after the rosette styles of the '90s, hair ties were designed to match hair colour as closely as possible and were therefore hardly noticeable. Some women even wrapped the hair itself around a ponytail or bun to completely conceal the tie. That has now changed: The current hair ties are made of leather or fur and include figures or ornaments that match the season.

'There is nothing childish about it,' said Rose, who could see these accessories on grown women. Grau, however, doesn't agree completely. She said it might look lovely and attractive on children, but not on adult women. She steers women away from childish colours and motifs. Stylish alternatives are brooches and clips that can be placed directly into a bun or ponytail worn on the side of the head.

Grau finds that all accessories must be selectively placed in order to emphasize the positive. 'When you want to accent something, no matter if its an article of clothing or the hair, it must be perfect,' she said. 'Otherwise, one little negative thing will attract attention.'

For example, hair accessories shouldn't be used on greasy hair or on hair that hasn't been properly styled, and they shouldn't be used on a so-called bad hair day in an effort to cover up hair that's out of place.

Rose also put forward a practical tip, saying the accessory should not be put in the hair immediately after it is washed otherwise it is likely to fall out. The hair should not be too slick, but if necessary it's OK to fix the accessory with a bit of spray, mousse or gel.

To maintain the beauty of the hair, only accessories that don't pull it out or otherwise damage it should be used. Combs should not have sharp teeth or be too hard, said Franz-Josef Kueveler, a hairdresser in Germany and art director of the central association of German hairdressers. Hairbands that have no teeth to hold them in the hair should be lined with felt, he said. Also, women should be careful to select clips that are not so heavy that they pull the hair down.

Like every other accessory, hairbands, combs and clips should be attached unobtrusively and in harmony with the rest of the outfit, Rose said. 'When you wear something in your hair, you should refrain from wearing flashy jewelry at the same time. Only small earrings and a small chain are appropriate.'

Women also should be aware that when a headband is worn to keep the bangs back and emphasize the face, a fresh complexion becomes more important and makeup should be more conspicuous. Style experts also say extravagant hair accessories that stick up from the head aren't appropriate on a routine day.