Eco Fashion World

Giant Dwarf

Both stylish and practical, headbands are back in as a fashion accessory. While initially associated with workout videos and jazzercise o f the ‘80s, wide and embellished headbands have made a comeback as sleek, fashionable items set to complement nearly any outfit. And of course, as mainstream stores and designers began carrying and creating these heady designs, we clamored for them to be made with ethical materials. As one of the easier go-green processes, many designers have opted to use eco-felt and wool, recycled candy wrappers, and recycled poly for these designs.

Nahui Ollin

Famous for her candy wrapper-constructed handbags, Nahui Ollin has added headbands to her list of creations. Her bright and poppy headbands employ indigenous Mayan communities to use their weaving skills to recycle candy wrappers (factory over-runs and misprints) to make them. The nice part: they’re only $14 at nahuiollin.com.

Practical meets fun and flirty fashion statements, Luminous Boutique’s designs are hand-crafted with eco-felt. It is then hand cut and stitched to a skinny stretch goody headband without the length altered, making it one size fits all. It’s not just a headband, either. You can wrap this around your wrist, wrap it around a bun, or wear it as a necklace!

Janay A Handmade Wild Rose Headband

For those looking for less of a statement piece and more of a practical, everyday headband experience, PrAna has a stable of six-plus reversible headbands from solid to abstract prints. Good for hanging out with friends or a gym session, these headbands are stretchy, with printed recycled poly on one side and sold recycled poly on the other. One of my personal favorite designs comes from American designer Janay A Handmade from Kansas City, Missouri. This headband is most suitable for a wedding or formal event, but can also be paired with a whimsical, romantic outfit. This Wild Rose and Leaf Eco Headband is made from natural-colored certified organic hemp and cotton grown and processed in the U.S. The large flower is created from fabric and ivory silk flower petals, with the fabric bow at center and fabric leaves. Heading to the slopes this season? Pick up one of Stewart Brown

Cozy Hair Bands as a versatile option for even the coldest months. Accented with a zig-zagging edge and knitted with a textured open stitch, the inside is lined with a super fine, soft knit so it will never itch. It’s made totally from hand-knit yak down.

Stewart Brown Cozyhair Band

Of course, the definition of headband can be quite loose. EcoFashionWorld recently featured some brilliant hat designs from designer Giant Dwarf. But it’s only right to mention that many of these hats are headband-hat hybrids. Sue Eggen’s handmade designs are folded into tiny origami rosettes, then appliquéd. Because they only cover part of the head (and are firmly kept in place with a hidden black elastic band), we honor them on the headbands list because of the innovative design!

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