Everyone Wore This Hair Accessory In The '90s & It's Time It Made A Comeback

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TV shows like "Love Story" really shine a light on the style trends of the '90s, especially when the protagonist is a fashion icon like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Crazes from the decade that millennials remember fondly have been returning to the fore throughout the 2020s, but one that we're demanding to see again ASAP is Bessette-Kennedy's beloved tortoiseshell headband. 

The late publicist wasn't the only '90s figure to don this classic accessory, which is equal parts '90s-coded and timeless. Gwyneth Paltrow did it in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," while Charlotte York from "Sex and the City" wouldn't have had the same Park Avenue princess look without hers. This headpiece evokes some of our favorite characters, real and fictional, but we also need to see it rise back to the top of the hot list because it's so versatile. The earthy shades make it great for pairing with neutrals or with complementary colors, and as our '90s it-girls showed us, you can wear it with your hair both down and up. You also have your choice of going for a hard acetate-style headband, or even something softer. If you're looking for a thick band à la Bessette-Kennedy, something like the Parcelona French Wide 3/4" Celluloid Headband can really make a statement. But if a thinner silhouette is more your style, there's the Evita Peroni Thin Hair Band, which is slightly more subtle.

Headbands in general tend to create a preppy, academic, or even royal look (we're still surprised that Kate Middleton ditched this signature accessory while elevating her wardrobe). That said, the tortoiseshell design in particular can also have you looking more retro, throwing it back to the '90s, or simply minimalist and classic, like Bessette-Kennedy, depending on how you style the rest of your outfit. 

We might think of the '90s when we imagine tortoiseshell headbands, but these adaptable accessories have actually been mainstays in plenty of aesthetics over the years. If you pair it with preppy pieces, like cable knit sweaters, pleated skirts, sweater vests, trench coats, loafers or Mary Janes, you'll probably end up looking more like Blair Waldorf than Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy or any other '90s icon. And there's nothing wrong with that. The key is being intentional with your styling.

If you do want to channel a vintage vibe and steep your look in the '90s, reach for other staples from the decade. Think slip dresses, leather blazers and trenches, ribbed tanks, velvet, denim shorts, and strappy heels. You could even take it a step further and rock frosted makeup or add a microbag to your ensemble. Or, if you want to take a page out of Princess Diana's '90s stylebook, team your tortoiseshell headband with branded sportswear and bike shorts to nail elevated athleisure. 

Although Bessette-Kennedy set the tone for this accessory in the 1990s, her take on it has gone down in history as more timelessly minimalist than tied to any one decade. This is why we ranked her tortoiseshell headband look as one of the best street style moments of the Kennedy women. Most of her outfits were made of classic garments that were on-trend in the '90s, but also could have worked anytime. When emulating this aesthetic, go for straight-leg or bootcut denim, basics like white shirts, and neutral color palettes. Of course, you could also go the other way entirely, and make your tortoiseshell headband look loud and maximalist. Just choose an accessory with more interesting features, like the Parcelona French Round Chain Tortoiseshell Headband, and pair it with other bold pieces.

When choosing the best tortoiseshell headbands to recommend, we considered how different styles would suit different tastes and aesthetics. Both thin and thick tortoiseshell headbands have a place in any of the ensembles we've outlined, while we also included a more maximalist option for those who want to make a statement. Additionally, we took into account customer reviews and ratings, only selecting products that received over 4 stars.