The headband revival has entered the chat

Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette may not be available to stream in India yet, but that hasn’t stopped us from consuming every Reel dissecting every frame for the latter’s immaculate ’90s wardrobe. On TikTok, users are attempting to emulate the fashion publicist’s style with similar staples and accessories—including dupes of her famous tortoiseshell headband.

Bessette-Kennedy’s was a thick, French-made Charles Wahba acetate band—about 1.5 inches wide—that she reportedly picked up from the apothecary C.O. Bigelow in Greenwich Village. She usually wore it with her long, straight blonde hair loose or pulled back into a tight bun, along with her oval sunglasses, Levi’s 517 jeans, and black Miu Miu coat. The exact style is currently sold out (of course), but the pharmacy still stocks similar versions in different widths and finishes on its website.

Meanwhile, Gossip Girl author Cecily von Ziegesar has confirmed she’s writing a Blair Waldorf spinoff—appropriately titled Blair—landing summer of 2027. If Bessette-Kennedy’s headbands were practical and restrained, Waldorf’s were padded, preppy, and more of a style statement.

With both women making the rounds on social media again, we think it’s safe to assume the humble headband is going to be back in the spotlight.

The appeal is obvious. A headband adds polish without trying too hard and suggests effort while actively reducing it. There is the risk of veering into schoolgirl territory, but the solution is simple: skip anything too flimsy or overly cutesy. Wider acetate styles read grownup, especially in tortoiseshell or neutrals. If you’re going padded, opt for a sophisticated colour—think burgundy, navy or dark brown. Pair it with tailoring—say, a blazer or a crisp shirt tucked into jeans—and you’re good to go. Personally, it’s my go-to on mornings I can’t be bothered to wash my hair.

And yes, you can get a solid headband for under ₹200 at your local market (I mean Hill Road in Mumbai). I, for one, routinely delegate the task to my friends flying in from Bangkok. But if you’d rather not wait—or are too lazy to venture out—below is a selection of headbands you can add to cart immediately without breaking a sweat.