The hairband is summer’s most underrated accessory and even the Duchess of Edinburgh is a fan – from £6

The answer to completing any outfit? Accessories, always. From pretty necklaces, to chic shades – we even jazz up our handbags with a charm (looking at you, Labubu!) However, there is one accessory that truly deserves a comeback: the hairband.

Hairbands may transport you to your school days when they served as hair-taming devices, but they have a chic history and date all the way back to Ancient Greece and Rome. Today, we think of a 1950s Grace Kelly wearing a black Alice band for instant polish, Brigitte Bardot’s relaxed jersey face-framing hairband and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, often wears a scarf-inspired hairband at formal events.

To channel their style, look no further than my edit shared here. We have the elegant Alice band by Isabel Manns for instant Kelly cool, a face-framing oversized jersey hairband from ASOS à la Bardot, plus a printed wrap hairband from Liberty London that would have even the Duchess’ seal of approval!

My favourites? The floral hairband from ASOS is a chic alternative to a flower crown for parties and festivals and, for a summer wedding, I love John Lewis & Partner’s formal embellished hairband.

Whichever you choose, know this: a hairband keeps your hair out of your eyes, frames your face and gives your whole look a fashion uplift. Beauty meets function!