Forever a royal staple accessory, headbands are having a bit of a fashion resurgence at the moment.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (AKA Kate Middleton) and Meghan Markle are constantly wearing them to public events and they were cemented in royal history when Princess Diana wore that iconic emerald choker as a headband back in the '80s.

This season, you can spot them in the autumn/winter collections of many a designer, from Ganni, to Gucci, to Giambattista, not forgetting, of course, queen-of-all-headband-designs, Jennifer Behr. So whether it's an Alice band, padded headband, bandana, scarf or even a beaded style you want to add to your look, there's plenty to choose from.

Not sure if headbands are for you, or conscious about trying something new? Fear not - we've got two experts on hand to help you feel more confident. Not only have they shared their go-to headband buys, but they've also explained exactly how to effortlessly style one in your day-to-day life.

Scroll for advice from headband designer and founder of British brand Crown Love, Nadia El Meallem, and accessories buyer at Coggles, Simone Taylor.

What exactly is a headband?

You'll likely know this, but according to Nadia, a headband is a fashion and clothing accessory worn in the hair or around the forehead. "It's usually used to hold hair away from the face or eyes, and, in more recent years, is regularly worn as a fashion statement," she explains.

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So, why a headband? Well, they're a really versatile accessory, Simone expands, as well as being both functional and fashionable. "You can't beat embellished headbands from the likes of Shrimps," she continues.

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Keen to make your headband more of a look? "Wear your hair scraped back to make it more of a statement piece," she suggests. That way, you're displaying whatever embellishment is on your headband in all its glory.

When did headbands become fashionable?

Good question. It feels like the headband has kind of always been in fashion, right?

Let Nadia cover a brief history for you. "The headband has had an interesting fashion journey throughout the years. You can trace them back to as early as ancient Greek times. Greeks and Romans would wear hair wreaths for very special occasions or an important event," she explains.

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From then, the rest is history. They've been donned for decades by celebs and the fashion forward. "My most standout celebrity headband moment was when Princess Diana famously wore the emerald and diamond choker as a headband in Melbourne in 1985," shares Nadia.

While most of Diana's fashion is iconic, this was a particularly standout moment for the headband as it proved even further that anything, within reason, can be fashioned as the accessory. A bit of ribbon, a scarf, a choker - you name it, you could (probably) make a headband out of it.

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As Nadia touches on, the royals have long championed headbands. "They're the inspiration behind my brand. We’ve also got Brigitte Bardot to thank for helping bring the headband trend to the masses, with her now-iconic jersey head wrap look. The most recent celebs known for making headband fashionable include Kate Middleton, Blair Waldorf and Alexa Chung."

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She also adds that Pixie Geldoff, Rita Ora, Chrissy Teigen and Laura Whitmore are big fans of the headband, too.

Your step-by-step guide to how to wear a headband

Choose your hair style

You could go for an up-do, wear your hair down, don a pony tail or try a braid, Nadia explains.

Consider your headband options

Most styles of hairband will work best with your hair down, but mix it up a bit and see what works for you, she suggests.

Brush through your hair to detangle

Nadia advises neatly combing your hair and parting it. Basically, make sure it's styled as you want.

Style appropriately

When you're ready to go, slide the headband over your hair. Then, position as you like. "Some like it so it rests approximately half an inch from your hairline - this is the standard look," Nadia explains. You can also wear it a bit further down the head, which is the current trend.

Adjust accordingly

It's your hair, so tweak it as you like. You can pull it over your ears or push it behind them - whatever works.

There is no wrong or right way to wear a headband, so there's no harm experimenting, she stresses.

8 headbands to elevate your WFH look

Jennifer Behr Lorelei braided velvet headband

Now 50% Off

LELET NY Gold-plated crystal headband

Gucci Twisted lamé headband

GANNI Leopard-print satin headband

My Accessories London ruched headband in pink with stars

Now 60% Off

H&M Alice band with beads

Asos DESIGN Knot headband with celestial embellishment in navy blue

Asos DESIGN Knot headband in sage green satin

Not sure a headband will suit you?

Give it a try, encourages Simone. "Whether you just want to lift your outfit or you’re wearing a headband for a special occasion, it’s an accessory you can be more daring with," she explains.

They look particularly good when you wear them with a low-slung pony tail or in a ballerina bun teamed with some dainty jewellery, Simone reckons.

And what does Nadia think? "Wearing a headband is a great way to upgrade your look and add some flair to your outfit. You can wear a headband in a variety of ways and for almost any occasion," she shares.

She adds that placing the headband in your hair isn't difficult, either, it's just a matter of choosing the right one for you and your look.

One of the simplest (and boldest) ways to wear a headband? "Match it to the colour and fabric of your outfit," Nadia suggests. Matching earrings also elevate the look.

An elevated WFH look? You betcha.

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