At Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, Gillian Anderson brought renewed attention to the ’90s headband trend as she walked the Miu Miu Fall 2026 ready-to-wear runway. Anderson’s appearance combined a delicate, feminine outfit with a distinctive zig zag headband, highlighting the continuing revival of this vintage accessory.
Wearing a sequin-embroidered buttercream dress, Anderson styled her muddy blond hair with the comb headband, reminiscent of Willow Rosenberg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This accessory gently pushed her front hair layers back, similar to the finger-combing effect that defined the early 2000s butterfly clip trend. Alongside Anderson, Chloë Sevigny also embraced a textured hair look in a black leather jacket and minidress during the same show.
The Growing Popularity of the Zig Zag Headband in Contemporary Fashion
The zig zag, or comb, headband—once favored by iconic rom-com characters like Cher in Clueless and Bianca in 10 Things I Hate About You—has seen a notable resurgence. This revival coincides with a broader ’90s beauty comeback, which favors matte finishes, cool-toned contouring, and muted eye creases instead of bronzy glam. Celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Dylan Sprouse have recently been spotted wearing this accessible drugstore accessory, signaling its mainstream return.
Current Trends Elevating Headband Styles and Hairdos
Along with the zig zag headband, flat, wide-brimmed tortoise shell headbands are gaining popularity, influenced in part by the “Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-core” movement on TikTok. Videos show large groups of Gen Z women flocking to Manhattan’s historic C.O. Bigelow apothecary to acquire pieces resembling Bessette Kennedy’s famously chic accessory choices.
The comeback of the headband trend is also reflected in the preference for “quiet ponytails” on the runway. Designers such as Fendi and Jil Sander incorporated this understated hairstyle in their fall 2026 collections, with stylists Anthony Turner and Guido Palou behind the looks. Unlike traditional high ponytails, quiet ponytails are loose, natural, and unstructured, resting flat against the back as if shaped by sleep.
Significance of the ’90s Revival at Paris Fashion Week
Gillian Anderson’s endorsement of the ’90s headband trend at a high-profile event like Paris Fashion Week underscores the enduring influence of this decade’s style. As the fashion industry continues to draw on nostalgic elements, accessories such as the comb headband serve both as a nod to past aesthetics and a fresh statement for contemporary wardrobes. This trend is likely to maintain momentum through upcoming seasons, with further adoption by celebrities and designers keeping the ’90s spirit alive on runways worldwide.
