DIY: Hot For Headbands
By: Yu Shan in Shanghai
Tis the fashion wanderlust! My obsessions have recently expanded to involve headbands. Unfortunately, I live in a region woefully out of reach of Urban Outfitters which has reduced me to salivating over these beautiful, to-die-for headbands that taunt me from their website.
Lace Headwrap
Jersey Flower Headwrap
Beaded Applique Headwrap
I was in a particularly constructive mood one day, and decided that I would no longer admire from afar. After conducting the hunt for headbands in Zara, H&M, and other stores with no success, I reluctantly began the process of the tried and true Do-It-Yourself.
This is how I did it; hopefully it helps you if you have begun the headband search similarly without fruition.
Materials: scissors, 2 hairbands, thread, needle, denim fabric (I used the leftover fabric from a pair of Uniqlo jeans that I made into frayed denim shorts).
1) Intertwine the two rubber bands
After you pull them tight, they will look like this -
2) Measure the circumference of your head. Using this measurement, cut the denim into your desired lengths (double your head circumference to be safe). Loop one end of the hairband over one end of the denim strip and secure with pins.
3) Hem the denim strip firmly (excuse my crooked stitches…) and tear it into 3 strips. Just tear! It will give a straight edge.
4) Start Braiding like CRAZY!
Stop when you have a length of braid that is about the length of your head circumference. Make sure when you ‘try’ it on it sits where you would want it to be. (Mid-forehead, above forehead…etc)
5) Loop the end of the braid into the other loop of the rubber band.
6) Hem the other end…and put it on! :)
It adds a hippie element to every outfit, consider yourself warned! If you’re not so big on the hippie look though, you can change it up a little by going for the preppy vibe by tucking it under your hair to wear as a hair band.
Do be creative and explore other types of fabric. A ribbon or a length of lace will also do the trick.
And if you really really don’t want to DIY… (I understand; there are days when I just lie there sketching and overdosing on ice cream), reach for these alternatives.
Forever21 Cable Knit Headband, $3.80
Forever21 Flapper Headband with feather, $3.80
Forever21 Jeweled Metal Headband, $8.80
Topshop Woven Ribbon Chain Headband, $11.90
Topshop Rhinestone Detail Headband, $13
I have my eye on the Woven Ribbon Chain Headband... it looks quite DIY-friendly, don’t you think?
In Malaysia, TiC peeps spotted a couple of places selling headbands -
There are an assortment of headbands in Deeper 'N Harder (1U and Sungai Wang) ranging from RM7.90 - RM13.90.
RM5 from A Smack Of Jellyfish at UOX Play.
Coincidentally, the November issue of TiC Shopping Guide featured a close alternative to headbands - hairbands.
Any shopping blogs out there who sell headbands? Give us a shout on the comment box!
Image sources: urbanoutfitters.com, alteredcloth.com
