13 Outdated Hair Accessory Trends & What You Should Wear Instead

Just like any fashion and beauty trend, hair accessories are also a victim of going in and out of style. And while we're always advocating for pursuing a style if you truly like it (regardless of whether it is currently trending or not), it definitely doesn't hurt to know what the current popular choices are. To figure out what hair accessory trends are headed out the door and what their replacements are, we've enlisted the help of Stephanie Angelone, the Master Stylist at RPZL Hair Extension & Blowout Bar in New York City, and Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and salon owner. Exclusively for Glam, the two have shared their expertise and insight into current hair trends.

"Hair accessories are a way to elevate any look from casual to bridal," Angelone tells us. "Trends come and go — when one trend ends, another one begins." So, if you're curious to see whether a specific hair accessory you're loving is out of style — and what you can replace it with, we've got you!

Banana hair clips are great for lazy hair days, but according to our experts, they are not the most popular choice anymore. "Banana clips were one of the trendiest hair accessories at one point — since this trend has ended, new styles have become a great substitute for a similar style but more 'with the times,'" Stephanie Angelone shares exclusively with Glam.

Instead of a banana hair clip, Angelone recommends going for a flat hair clip, which is great for achieving the same half updo hairstyle without making the end result bulky and messy. If you are ready to explore this trend, our expert recommends The RPZL Reese Flat Hair Clips. "[They] are a great alternative for an effortless clipped-back style," she explains. "It's casual but also adds a little style to any hairdo." Flat hair clips are perfect for a half-updo hairstyle, ensuring those annoying face-framing pieces stay put together all day.

If you are a ride-or-die fan of banana clips (and unwilling to part ways with them), there is a specific style of banana clip that is still trendy. "Fabric-wrapped banana clips had their moment during the resurgence of nostalgic hair trends, but they now feel dated and overly retro," Jennifer Korab shares in her exclusive conversation with us. "A more stylish alternative is sleek acrylic banana clips with modern, glossy finishes in tortoise, matte black, or neutral tones, offering a fresh and sophisticated take on this classic accessory."

This year, the banana clip trends are gravitating toward styles like black and tortoise-print acrylic, like the Kitsch Banana Hair Clips. However, if you want to try out something new but flat hair clips simply aren't really calling your name, Korab recommends exploring hair barrettes, the banana clip's classier sister. "For a polished and versatile option, minimalist barrettes with streamlined designs in metallic or pearl details are an excellent choice, blending elegance with contemporary style," she tells us.

Even though sweatbands provide great protection from sweat dripping down your forehead during a workout, they definitely aren't the cutest of hair accessories — especially outside of the gym. However, if you can't live without them, our expert recommends going for a classic headband instead, which looks pretty similar but tends to come in more stylish varieties. "If you're a workout girlie or love athleisure attire for comfort, the RPZL's The Taylor has recently blown up," Stephanie Angelone explains exclusively to Glam. "Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kit Keenan have all been seen wearing them."

Of course, they may not be as efficient in sweat absorption since the focus is on style and not moisture-wicking efficiency, but they do look a lot cuter. "This, in my opinion, has replaced the sweatband," Angelone adds. "Women used to wear sweatbands to keep their hair pushed back during workout classes — or even just for a comfortable dressed-down look. The Taylor headband has replaced that dated style and has elevated it into a chic-cool girl aesthetic." And if you are a newbie to headbands, just know that they provide a great hairstyle to hide greasy hair while you wait for wash day, as they perfectly cover oily roots around your forehead!

Claw clips provide an easy way to upgrade your updo; however, not all styles of claw clips are super trendy. "Oversized, chunky plastic claw clips, especially in neon colors or bold patterns, are starting to feel outdated despite claw clips still being a go-to accessory," Jennifer Korab shares exclusively with us. Instead, Korab suggests metallic styles of claw clips for a more sophisticated and unique look. Kitsch Metal Hair Clips have great reviews, as metal claw clips tend to be a lot more sturdy than plastic ones. Besides, based on whether you prefer gold or silver, you can match your claw clips to your aesthetic perfectly.

"To stay trendy, opt for sleek metallic claw clips in gold, silver, or brushed finishes that bring a polished and versatile touch to any hairstyle," she explains. "Alternatively, embrace geometric clips in modern shapes like rectangles or triangles, crafted from luxe materials such as marble or matte metal, for a more refined and contemporary aesthetic," the hairstylist adds. "These upgrades strike the perfect balance between functionality and fashion-forward style." Of course, don't throw your oversized chunky ones away — they are still a great way to get your hair out of your face while doing chores around your home. Besides, when it comes to fashion and beauty trends, they always come back in a circular fashion, so who knows, that neon-green claw clip might just be trendy again in a few years. As always, count on us to keep you in the loop!

With the recent resurgence of '90s and early-aughts beauty and fashion trends, butterfly clips had their comeback in the 2020s. And while we still love waves and butterfly clips as a trend for festivals, according to our expert, they are a bit outdated now. "They were a cute way to give your hair that girly look with zero effort and add some color to your style," Stephanie Angelone tells us exclusively, adding that "butterfly clips are so done, and bows are so in."

The expert further explains that "adding a cute bow to your hair just makes it that much better." This trend is perfect for anyone who loves to add a bit of charm and preppiness to their look, as bows can easily take your hairstyle from bland to put-together. "From micro bows to big, exaggerated bows, RPZL has you covered with The Sierra and The Manhattan Bow." Of course, anyone who is keeping up with current trends knows that bows have been having a moment for years now, and according to Angelone, that trend is definitely here to stay.

Bobby pins will always be a hair-styling staple, especially for looks that need extra hold without a visible hair accessory. However, according to our expert, if you are using a bobby pin in a visible way, you might as well replace it with a fun brooch. "The other hot hair accessory right now are brooches, which are being spotted on the Paris Fashion Week runways," Stephanie Angelone shares with Glam in an exclusive conversation. "The Chloé and Valentino runways debuted hair adornments that looked like regular brooches but with a bobby pin or clip backing for the hair."

This type of hair accessory still allows you to have the functionality of a bobby pin with an added dose of glamour and pizzazz (depending on the style of the brooch). "RPZL's got the look with RPZL X Bella Gerard Brooch and RPZL x Bella Gerard Pearl Pin," Angelone adds. Even simply adding one to scoop up one side of your hair can instantly make it appear as if you put a lot of thought and effort into your hairstyle — even though it actually only took you a minute!

Scrunchies are that retro hair accessory that will always bring back the '90s. However, while recent years saw the resurgence of over-the-top scrunchies, the current trends are headed toward a more minimalist style. "Giant scrunchies in bold fabrics or loud prints have started to feel overplayed, especially when paired with sleek, modern outfits where they can look out of place," Jennifer Korab tells us exclusively.

Instead of big and bold scrunchies, Korab suggests more delicate and neutral ones. "To keep your style current, opt for micro scrunchies — smaller, more refined versions crafted from luxurious fabrics like velvet or silk in neutral tones," she explains. "For an even subtler and more contemporary option, hair coils in clear or neutral shades offer a seamless, minimalist aesthetic while being gentle on the hair and perfect for everyday wear," the expert adds. Of course, if loud scrunchies are your signature look, you should totally disregard the fact that the trend is changing. However, anyone who has tried to incorporate a big and colorful scrunchie into their look knows that figuring out what to pair it with isn't the easiest thing — while smaller scrunchies like the invisibobble LOOP Be Gentle Hair Ties are much easier to pull off.

Fans of maximalism won't be happy about this, but according to our expert, chunky and busy hair clips are not the most fashionable hair accessory right now. "Chunky pearl and beaded hair clips, once a viral sensation, have become overly ornate and feel out of step with current trends," Jennifer Korab shares exclusively with Glam.

Instead of these, Korab recommends opting for more delicate pins — but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. In fact, styles like the Round Hollow Circle Hair Barrette from Dreamin are delicate yet intricate at the same time, making your hairstyle interesting without looking overwhelming. "To refresh your look, swap them for minimalist pins in sleek gold or silver, featuring subtle engravings or delicate accents for an elegant touch." If subtle isn't really your style, the expert recommends opting for pins and clips in more neutral colors. "Alternatively, modern resin clips with muted colors or abstract designs provide a playful yet chic update, striking the perfect balance between sophistication and fun," she adds. "These options offer a refined, contemporary approach to accessorizing." However, keep in mind that with this type of accessory, less is often more, meaning that one or two resin hair clips are generally enough to achieve a sophisticated yet fun look.

While classic hair accessories will always be in style, hair glitter and gold provide a fun way to add an extra element to your look. "It's kind of an alternative to a hair accessory or to wearing jewelry," hairstylist Lacy Redway revealed to Fashionista. "It's an update to an accessory, and it's really interesting to have gold in your part. We ignore our parts all the time ... so I just really wanted to highlight that."

Glittery hair gels like the DAGEDA Body Glitter Gel provide a fun way to accessorize any part of your hair you feel like accentuating. In particular, this trend is great for greasy-hair days, as you can simply put your hair up in a sleek and parted bun and add glitter or gold along your parting for that extra pop of sparkle. Not to mention that the glitter can perfectly cover up the fact that your hair is ready for washing!

If you like having your hair out of your face but haven't tried out accessorizing with a headband yet, then this trend is definitely something you should give a chance. Instead of a thin, barely visible headband, try going for a thicker and bolder one with embellishments or interesting patterns, such as houndstooth or tortoiseshell. Think of it as an additional accessory — you don't want it to be hidden. In fact, a fun headband can add that finishing touch to a look — especially on days when you feel like your outfit is missing something.

"They are a great way to help bring an outfit to life, adding something colorful or even a texture like leather or velvet," hairstylist Marwa Bashir revealed to InStyle. "Tortoiseshell headbands feel like Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl. And feather headbands and accessories are a special way to usher in some glam before the holidays come around." With styles like the EVITA PERONI Wide Headband, you can easily add a fun accessory to your look without having to worry about what to do with your hair.

Slicked-back buns have had their moment for years now, and while they aren't necessarily going out of style, there's no denying that they aren't the trendiest hairstyle anymore. If you're looking to achieve a similar hairstyle with your hair pulled back, consider getting a '90s/2000s stretchy comb headband that is great for those days you want your hair out of your face.

"Stretchy comb headbands take me back to Y2K immediately, and that is what fall is screaming to me," Marwa Bashir told InStyle. "I like that you can pick a color that blends in with hair to just add some texture and interest to the hair." You can opt to leave the rest of your hair loose, or you can tie it up in a ponytail or braid. Either way, thanks to a headband with a teeth comb like ULTIMUTE's No Slip Effortless Plastic Headbands, the front of your hair will be sleek and pulled back, ensuring it doesn't bother you all day.

If you're tired of simple hairstyles, consider adding a hair scarf to your look. "Scarves are going to be a huge hair trend this upcoming season," influencer and shopping expert Jen Reed revealed to InStyle. "Add some color to a low ponytail for a chic, put-together look, or even woven through a messy braid for an effortlessly cool vibe."

In fact, scarves provide a great way to accessorize your hair, add a pop of color, or even cover up greasy roots. With scarves, there is a variety of styles you could go for, making it that one accessory that is so versatile you will never get bored of it. While any scarves you already have will do, you can also get something like the super-thin Silk Head Scarf from FONYVE, which will make adding it to your hairstyle much easier, as thicker scarves can add unnecessary bulk to the look.

Ponytails are always a hairstyle that is trending, but if you are ready to spice yours up, consider adding a fun ponytail cuff to it. This way, your hairstyle goes from everyone's staple to a unique accessory. "One of the biggest trends we're seeing for hair accessories right now is the metallic cuff," Jen Reed told InStyle. "Chunky gold or silver cuffs that you can use to really accentuate a ponytail, braid, or half-up style — these feel fresh and chic, and can even be layered and mismatched throughout a ponytail for style with an extra edge." 

LINXI's Ponytail Cuff Elastic Hair Ties usually come in gold or silver, so you can match them to your jewelry preference. Of course, if you prefer a colorful style, resin ones are a great choice, too. Regardless of your preference, a cuff provides an easy way to spice up a hairstyle you are probably already rocking regularly.

Now if you want to be in the current fashion loop, make sure you also check out the outdated shoe trends you should ditch in 2025!