Want to support independent women's media? Become a Mamamia subscriber and get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE.

2026 will go down as the year of the nostalgic accessory.

Oversized flower brooches are all over TikTok, everyone's wearing jelly shoes, and toe rings have once again entered the chat.

Speaking of nostalgic trends, this millennial-coded shoe is back in the spotlight. Post continues after video.

The latest item to be plucked straight from your teenage bedroom and given a high-fashion glow-up? The humble zigzag headband.

We first got wind that this was A Thing when Italian fashion brand Miu Miu sent models down the runway in structured zigzag headpieces.

Australian model Gemma Ward was styled wearing one at the Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2026 show, as was fashion's favourite muse, Chloe Sevigny.

The brand cast Hailey Bieber to appear in the collection campaign, where she was styled in the hair accessory for the shoot.

Since then, Bieber has been seen wearing a similar style with multiple summer outfits, and even shared a few IYKYK headband selfies on Instagram.

It didn't take long for her friends to catch on — Kendall Jenner recently co-signed the trend while celebrating sister Kylie's birthday, and Bella Hadid has been seen wearing the stretchy bands too.

As is custom, what started as an ironic throwback has now entered the mainstream.

Headband tutorials are taking over TikTok and the accessory was a firm fixture at Copenhagen Fashion Week. But while some micro-trends feel a little… frivolous, this has to be one of the most practical.

The stretchy comb-like band works its magic on any hair type or texture, from long to short, fine to thick, straight or curly.

It's the perfect option if you're growing out a fringe or layers and just want your hair off your face, or a simple way to give a messy bun some definition. Better still, it'll disguise oily roots if you're holding out for wash day.

It's also one of the cheapest trends to access.

Miu Miu is listing its metal and leather zigzag headbands on its website for $750, but you can get the look for (much) less in the hair accessory aisle at the chemist.

Grab a two-pack of tortoiseshell and black headbands from Woolworths for $6, or a similar set from Kmart for a frankly unbeatable $4.50.

As for the pesky pinching pain behind your ears? We can't do anything about that, sorry.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

Feature image: Instagram/@haileybieber; @alicecostore.

'Maybe I've lost the plot, but I'm convinced this $6 accessory is making a comeback.'

Tamara Davis