I will share with you a secret... I love J.Crew's headbands. Yes, I really do! :) I don't mind that they hurt my head after a couple of hours wear. They are just so pretty. I currently own about 19 headbands (and counting) in about every shade, fabric, style, and design... Some of my headbands match my J.Crew ballet flats, some match my J.Crew purses, some match both the J.Crew flats & the J.Crew purses...For the most part, the fabric (e.g. cotton, silk, tweed) headbands maintain their tight shape and form for years. However, it is a different story for the French tortoiseshell headband. As some of us (like Anabelle, Sue.Bee, Haus_Frau) discussed about the headbands in the "Is Bigger Better? J.Crew Bracelets" post, it was mentioned that French tortoiseshell headband tends to "get out of shape" and fall off (no matter the band size, thin or wide).
I have personally found that my Tortoiseshell Headbands (of which I own 4) stretch out of shape when I wear them for long stretches of time. Especially if I am walking around in the sun (so they are exposed to direct heat). Sue.Bee even mentioned that her Tortoiseshell headbands have a tendency to fall off, while Haus_Frau's headbands "flop around", because they become so loose. Although, they have not fallen off my head, I can easily see how they would.After throwing one away (because I didn't know what to do with an out of shape headband), I came up with a solution to maintain the Toroiseshell Headband's shape. I actually use a Goody's Stayput (wide) Headwrap (with a knot to make the circle smaller) and put it around the headband. The slip-proof grip makes sure it doesn't fall off the headband which in turn forces the headband to go back to its tighter shape.
I am sure that others have come up with their own solutions as well. (Who wants to lose a beautiful headband if they don't have to?) What are some of your techniques for re-shaping the Tortoiseshell Headband and the like? Moreover, do you love or LOVE J.Crew's headbands in general? If you don't love certain headbands, which ones and why? (I even discuss about one particular headband I am not a fan of in the comments section.)P.S. In case you are interested, the headbands featured in the images of this post are the following:
I didn't mention it in the post but there is one headband I do not like from J.Crew that I am stuck with: the Metallic-leather braided headband (Item 88273)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, this headband comes in a pre-determined shape (e.g. doesn't fit the shape of my head). Because of that, there are gaps of air between my head and the headband at certain points.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I didn't end up buying that one, and now I'm kind of glad I didn't. Your no-slip idea sounds like a good one. I saw those in the grocery the other day when I was buying elastics. I might pick a pack up and see how that works out.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else feel really odd trying on headbands when they're in the store? It seems really weird, but otherwise you end up with a headband digging at your temples, or as it the case with the tortoise shells, slipping over your forehead.
Haus_frau, it is definitely a good thing you did not buy that metallic headband! :)
ReplyDeleteThose elastics work great. I actually got them for free from the Goody website (they were having some promotion a year ago). I was actually going to throw them away (since I don't really use them for exercise) and realized an alternative use for them.
I also try on headbands at stores too haus_frau! I always feel weird about it, but that is because I feel like the sales associates are watching me try them on! :) But like you said, you have to try them on in order to see if you like it.
I have several of the "no hassle" headscarfs and love them...they are a lifesaver for bad hair days, plus I picked them up for $3.99 in the Final Sale w/an extra 30% off and Free Shipping, which makes them even better.
ReplyDeleteBTW...they are really cute to wear to the pool or beach with your swimsuit. That way your hair doesn't end up looking so windblown and you can cover up your wet, unstyled hair, too.
fabulousfloridamommy: I have two headscarfs (not from J.Crew though), and I find that although it doesn't slip off, the bow keeps coming undone.
ReplyDeleteIs that a problem with J.Crew headscarfs? (Because I have hesitated in purchasing them in fear of the same issue).
That's a shame, that headband is actually pretty cute.
ReplyDeleteI try on headbands in the store too, even if I'm the only one doing it and I look dumb to other people. If we can try on clothes, why not hair accessories as well? I don't have lice :o)
I'm too cheap to pay full price for the headbands though. That's why I only have 3. I do love the silk covered ones though. Are they still available in-store right now? I haven't seen any on the website in a while...
FFM: I like the no hassle headscarves too. (They don't any bows to come undone to answer Alexis' question.) They are just a "scarf" with elastic on the back. I also like tying the JCrew silk sashes from winter of 06 and spring of 07 around my head. I used to wear headbands but no longer do. My dauther loves the Crewcuts ones. So cute! Glad I bought so many sale ones for her when they had free shipping.
ReplyDeleteHi ladies,
ReplyDeleteAre you aware that J.Crew has a lifetime guarantee on the tortoiseshell headbands and hair clips? They told me this at my local store - if it breaks, bring it in to the store and they'll just give you a new one. My favorite J.Crew associate told me that one day a customer brought in a headband that was shattered - it looked like it a car had run over it!
Hi Everyone! Just like jagjag2 said...the headscarves are all one piece, and they connect at the base of the neck with elastic (covered in the same fabric), so they never come untied. I also like the fact that you can also pull the fabric together on top to make a "regular" size headband, as well.
ReplyDeleteBTW...Alexis...I wrote a post yesterday on your WELCOME section at the very start of your blog...not sure if you get notified of updates on posts that far back, so check it out if you get a chance. :)
Fabulous Florida Mommy & Jagjag2: Thanks for letting me know about those headscarfs. They had a whole bunch on sale this weekend (at the store) too! I will definitely get one. :)
ReplyDeletesilver_lining: Excellent tip about the tortoiseshell having a life time guarantee. That is fantastic information!!! (Which makes me regret tossing one away.)
Sue.bee: You are not the only one who doesn't pay full retail price for a headband. :) All of mine came from the sale section. It is hard to justify the original 24-36$ cost for some of them.
Fabulous Florida Mommy: Thanks for the nice comment in the first post. :)
ReplyDeleteFor some reason Blogger doesn't show if there are any new comments in the posts in the admin section. (Which is really unfortunate, because I like to see what new comments/suggestions people have made).
Oh, I commented on older posts too last week but just assumed you got notified of updates....too bad it works that way!
ReplyDeleteI have been checking the box (under the "leave your comment" section) to get follow up comments sent to my email address, but I'm not sure how long they will continue to be sent...guess we'll see here in the next couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteTricks for helping tortoiseshell headbands keep their shape:
ReplyDeleteI always store my headbands flat with a rubberband around them. (visual: it ends up looking like there is a stripe down the headband) When I don't have a rubber band, I put my headbands inside of another wide fabric headband. I have found that if I keep the headbands curled up a bit, then they don't stretch out so fast.
For headbands like the metalic braided one, I put a rubber band around the top part to *pinch* it in. This has helped save me from many *gaps of air.*
Hope these help!
Hi Jagjag2 & FabulousFloridaMommy! It really is too bad that the admin doesn't get notified of where new comments are & when. (The admin section could use a lot of work actually.)
ReplyDeleteI try to remember what the number of comments is for each post and check them when I think there are new ones, but it isn't the most efficient way. :(
I am a HUGE fan of Jcrew Headbands. I have wayyy too many. Recently, I have fallen in love with this style of headband that they don't seem to sell online, only in the stores. It's a ribbon headband, but it doesn't have an elastic the runs all around so it fits my head better. I typically don't like the kind of head bands with elastics all around because it either hurts behind my ears or just slips off completely.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, your tip about the Goody headbands is awesome! I actually have a few of those for excerising and I've never thought of re-purposing them to reshape my headbands. I've had similar problems with my tutorise-shell headband (thin variety) but I love it. It's alittle too big so there is a slight gap but I've found that if I tease my hair (i have relatively thin hair) then the gap is barely visible and it actually stays in place better!
Anabelle: I will have to find that headband you are referring to the next time I go to the J.Crew store. (You got me curious about them!)
ReplyDeleteAlso good workaround for the gap in the headband! :)
I normally don't wear headbands, but now that I'm going to the gym regularly, I do need something to keep my bangs out of my eyes. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteWhat a headscarf or a headband work better? I see pretty versions of both in the sale section...
Hi Auryane! If it were up to me, both the headband and headscarf are pretty cheap in the sale section that I would get them both! They would still add up together less than half the price of one original priced headband. :)
ReplyDeleteHas anyone bought the Sparkle Metallic-leather Headband?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if it stays on well and if the elastic part will snag your hair...
if you put headbands on a brand new paper towel roll it stretches them out some so they don't hurt ur head as much
ReplyDelete