A hairstyle once associated with school lockers and drugstore beauty aisles is making an unexpected return to high fashion.
Hailey Bieber has become the latest celebrity to embrace the zig-zag headband, wearing the nostalgic accessory while attending the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Shortly afterward, Miu Miu unveiled its Fall 2026 campaign starring the model and entrepreneur, featuring a premium version of the same distinctive look.
From Affordable Accessory to Designer Statement
While traditional plastic zig-zag headbands have long been inexpensive everyday accessories, Miu Miu’s reinterpretation takes a very different approach.
The fashion house’s version is crafted from metal and black calfskin leather, complete with branded detailing, and is priced at $525. The accessory forms part of the label’s Fall 2026 collection, continuing the brand’s focus on reimagining familiar wardrobe staples through a luxury lens.
A Runway Trend Moves Into the Spotlight
The return of the serrated headband did not happen overnight.
Miu Miu first showcased the style during its Fall 2026 runway presentation, where models including Chloë Sevigny, Gillian Anderson and Gemma Ward wore updated versions of the accessory. Bieber’s campaign appearance now brings that runway trend to a much wider audience.
The campaign, photographed for the Italian label’s latest seasonal collection, also features model Xiao Wen Ju and highlights vintage-inspired eyewear, oversized outerwear and other key pieces from the collection.
Nostalgia Continues to Shape Fashion
The zig-zag headband reached peak popularity in the early 2000s, appearing on celebrities and athletes alike. One of its most memorable pop culture moments came in the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham, where the accessory became part of Keira Knightley’s on-screen look. Football star David Beckham was also frequently photographed wearing similar headbands during that era.
Bieber has increasingly embraced fashion inspired by the late 1990s and early 2000s. Recent appearances have included vintage designer pieces, while her newly released Gap denim collaboration also draws inspiration from the decade in which she was born.
Why the Trend Matters
Luxury brands have increasingly turned to nostalgic accessories as consumers continue to embrace styles from the late 1990s and early 2000s. By transforming a once-budget-friendly hair accessory into a premium fashion item, Miu Miu is betting that familiar designs can find new life among luxury shoppers.
Whether consumers are willing to spend $525 on a headband remains to be seen, but Bieber’s influence and Miu Miu’s runway momentum have already helped place the once-forgotten accessory back at the center of fashion conversations.
