Make daily a ‘Blissful Headband’ day — That’s Not My Age

Simone Rocha hairband at Net-A-Porter

Probably the greatest issues about getting older is you may put on what you want, how you want, while you like. You may put on stuff you’ve by no means worn earlier than, experiment with surprising combos, break some guidelines and invent you personal.

A number of weeks in the past, I began sporting one thing I by no means have earlier than, a hairband with a giant spotty bow on the facet picked up in a thrift retailer for a number of quid. Does it swimsuit me? I believe so. I’ve not had anybody level, snigger or snigger out loud. Nobody’s accused me of wanting like Bubbles Rothermere or Bette Davies in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. It was like my private ‘purple hat’ epiphany. Nicely, why not?

I’m constructing as much as sporting my Frida Kahlo flowered headband this summer season, one thing I picked up within the V&A present store through the Frida Kahlo; Making Herself Up exhibition, in 2018. She used to love sporting flowers in her hair: dahlias, bougainvillea and gardenias to accent her Tehuana coiffure and gown and, honour her Mexican heritage. For the final 5 years, that scarlet petalled headband has lain within the drawer ready for its popping out parade. There was by no means the suitable second or event. I used to be by no means in the suitable temper. However that second could also be now.

Frida Kahlo Making Herself Up official exhibition guide from the V&A

Ornamental hair bands are again on the model agenda. At the latest Met Gala in New York, numerous celebrities had been noticed sporting them notably Serena Williams rocking a multi-strand pearl headband. They’re a well-liked accent with the Hollywood set: Juliette Lewis, Kiera Knightly and Kirsten Dunst, to call a number of.

Once I say headbands, I’m not speaking in regards to the dreary, limp varieties so beloved of Sloanes within the Eighties. Immediately, the ornamental hair equipment widespread on websites like Etsy provide pizazz and character. They embrace ornate knots or Halo Crowns that from the entrance resemble turbans (à la Joan Collins) to bedazzled and bejewelled ones; headbands produced from classic kimono materials and twirls of ribbons or tulle caught mid-ripple.

There’s one thing particularly in regards to the ageing lady and  ‘head dressing’ that works a deal with. Miriam Margolyes, 82 appeared stunning on the duvet of this month’s British Vogue sporting a forties-inspired Sinamay headband. An older head has the arrogance to hold off some critical assertion dressing as demonstrated so elegantly by ‘ our naughtiest nationwide treasure’.

Whereas girls of all ages are solely too completely happy to don a fascinator and flirt with a feather for a household marriage ceremony, our heads are often forgotten on on a regular basis obligation. Maybe, with its more and more wrinkly pores and skin, greying or thinning hair, the top and face are essentially the most seen reminder we’re ageing, one thing many would like to overlook?

However that is precisely why it really works so properly. An announcement headband (or head dressing of any sort) frames and spotlights the knowledge, life and character that make up an older face. Headbands are an adjunct that may convey color, sample and ornamentation to the face, enriching the collagen-diminished complexion. Placing one in every of these on is a refusal to turn out to be invisible, like an indication that claims ‘I’m nonetheless right here and going robust’.

I can consider many trendy and legendary girls who’ve understood the significance of dressing their heads, of their autumn years: Edith Sitwell, Billy Vacation, Simone de Beauvoir, Coco Chanel, Carmen Miranda. An older lady can stand proud and maintain her head held excessive: she has the expertise, authority and confidence to tug off some cool and regal head dressing. Why save this intelligent model trick for particular events? It’s a easy solution to make daily of fine well being and gratitude, one in every of celebration.

Headband by Silk & Lawn

Nilgin Yusuf is a contract author and common TNMA contributor.

Make daily a ‘ completely happy headband’ day:

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