I really do think that style and fashion will be greatly influenced by folks re-emergence post-lockdown. I hope a variety of body types will be promoted in fashion. Clothing styles and fabrics will probably favor function over form. I realize these trends may not last, but I anticipate them. Hair trends, too, will be affected. I expect to see a lot more shaved heads with the amount of people who got tired of flicking that one tendril from their eye, shouted “F*** it!” and grabbed the clippers. Bangs are coming back pretty strong. And all those amateur cosmetologists who thought they’d just clean up that one spot are inadvertently bringing back the mullet. But there is one hair trend already Electric Sliding down the comeback trail and I could not be happier about it – the banana clip. Nothing kicks your crown into high drama quicker than that hinged piece of toothed plastic just itching to bite down on your glorious locks.
If there is any trend that can get us out of bed in the morning, it’s one that allows us to skip shampoo day — again — and dotes enough nostalgia to take us back to faster times at Ridgemont High. That’s why when the tortoiseshell claw clip returned to the scene, we were first in line. And when we got word that the banana clip was coming back in style ahead of autumn, we couldn’t hit Pinterest quicker. Then we dug out our old teasing comb and swiped on some baby purple eye shadow. Kidding. Maybe.
A hair accessory that ruled the 1980s almost as much as the neon scrunchie, the banana clip was a precursor to the later-popular claw clips and butterfly clips and widely used to pull hair (feathered bangs included) into ponytails, loose updos, and even a low flipped bun. If you’re like us, you could use that sort of support heading into fall 2020, with sweater season providing the perfect opportunity to try a new banana clip hairstyle.
You can even update the trend by folding the ponytail into a braid or adding extra dry shampoo for mussed texture. The clip works extra well on textured or curly hair, and we can already see a high banana clip updo complementing any turtleneck this fall.
To use a banana clip for a ponytail, you merely unhinge one end of the clip (it should look like a wishbone when open) and then flip your head upside down and place the clip onto your head with pointed side downwards. You pull the clip upwards over your hair before cinching it all together. Done and done—the ultimate banana clip hairstyle. The whole scenario takes about thirty seconds.
Age and pregnancy have finally given life to my natural wave that was weighted down by my hair’s thickness in youth. So although I used banana clips all the time in high school, they never looked as cool and Stephanie’s or Lori’s because it was just a straight pony falling from it. But now – now Stephanie and Lori can suck it because I can go full Tiffany is a matter of seconds! But it never occurred to me to wear the clip in any other way than the pony, I love the open-mouthed idea of a wave. And I’m intrigued by using different sizes with some half-up, half-down ‘dos. I just made my first haircut appointment since February and I was going to cut my mane back up above my shoulders but now that I know clips are coming back en force, I think I’ll just go for a trim and ride this baby out.
So where can you pick up these divine dames? Scrunchie makes a pretty quality version. If you have thin hair, you can use a cheap clip and it will look just as good as any other. I, however, have broken three clips during lockdown so I need to invest a little more. I really like the Scrunchie version because it keeps its closure tight. We recommended this one in one of our Amazon posts and I stand by it. It creates mega-drama with an ocean of waves and curls barely contained on the back of your head. I like this one also because you have some flexibility with how far you push it together to create different looks. Also, this is one of the most comfortable clips I’ve used. This style gives a slicker look if you want a more polished style and they even have some with fun coverings and sparkles.
I will let the proper hairdressers offer their Clip-Tips, but I will suggest either put the clip in when your hair is mostly, but not totally dry or tease it some before you put the clip in for best holding power. I have found that towards the end of the day, especially when my head is resting against my chairs headrest, the clip slips some if I don’t take precautions. Clip-Up, Bitches!
Photo credit: Instagram
Noooooo
My exact reaction, too.
this is a really bad idea lol
I hate them also.
My reaction! I am glad I’ve cut my hair short!
No no no no no no x 1,000,000,000,000
There are some fashions trends that never should have come to fruition. Those that died should be kept dead, like the banana clip. No!
Hecate, you’ve been knew for months now. I was inspired by you a few months ago to buy some. I’m glad this is being embraced by more people now!
Oh no. I desperately wanted these to work for me in the 80s, but I have straight, fine hair, and it looked horrible. Even when I got perms it didn’t work well. The only way they work is for hair with a lot of texture or curls.
Saaaaame. I even have some wave/curls, but my hair is far too fine. Boooo!
Agree!
Seriously, though, I haven’t hair my thick curly hair cut in nearly a year now and am contemplating the kitchen scissors. However I tie it back or up, the weight of it gives me a headache. Does anyone have any advice on tying up heavy hair?
Tight top bun directly on top of your head so the weight isn’t pulling you neck back or forward
Teleties are the best hair ties for my heavy hair. A little on the pricy side but worth every penny. They’re the only hair ties I will use now.
@ Roserose, I have extremely thick and curly hair. I like the scoochies(sp) they are the bands that have a coil look to them. I take all of my hair, bend over and wrap my hair around a few times into a loose bun and put one in. It helps that it doesn’t stress my roots.
If it can’t be doubled up as a pair of futuristic sunglasses, I don’t want it.
LOL! I forgot about that.
Then Star Trek: The Next Generation came around and Geordy (sp?) revealed our secret to the world.
OMG, I was literally just thinking this week about trying to find one of these!
ohhh great idea. i just bought some from your links. I totally forgot about these and never would have thought of it.
No doubt I have 80s banana clips tucked away with my bow clips (remember those?). I remember the heavier tortoise ones never worked with my hair – wanted to slide down.
The nice thing about these re-introductions is that sometimes key improvements are made.
Yes. I always wore bow clips, more so than banana clips. Late 80’s I was working part time at a garden center chain store, while attending college, and they started calling me Teddie instead of my real name, because I wore clip bows and they said I seemed like the kind of girl who would have a bedroom full of teddy bears. I still have no idea what that means. I did not have a bedroom full of teddy bears, ftr.
Teddie is an interesting take on hairbow-wearing.
I wore the bow barrettes to the point of being nicknamed “Bow” by a college classmate.
Not sure the how clips will ever come back, but we are ready if they do!
I’ll be the Debbie Downer… Don’t buy plastic stuff you don’t need for life saving reasons please. It ruins the planet. These banana hair clips usually break and end up in the rubbish.
Thank you! +1
Any tips for hair clips that aren’t made of plastic? I think you raise an excellent point, and I’d love recs for other stuff that I can use in lieu of the plastic ones that are available.
I have been going through a huge shift in my life where I have switched from artificial sponges to natural ones for the dishes, from plastic bags to corn-based container bags (they look like plastic. I started making my own toothpaste and oat milk… all through google search and mouth to mouth. I am certainly not yet plastic free (far from it because I have no waste-free shops around me) but I have fill-in shampoo and dishwasher liquid.
It’s a step by step kind of thing but we get there. All this to say that I think I looked for wood-based hair stuff but there is very little still. However if memory serves right there was a cruelty-free, plastic-free brand in the US. Again, I hope I’m correct.
@ Snowlow, I am also going less plastic. I have toilet pa paper and paper towels made from bamboo and sugar cane stalks once they have been stripped of the sugar. I also purchased reuseable face wipes, from Etsy shop, that I apply toner on and wipe my face over with it. They come in 2 textures, and I have 100% recycled plastic garbage bags, I use wool balls for the dryer, I also use heavy duty lawn bags that are made of brown kraft paper from Target, a package of 12 for $5.69. I also shop on Grove for all of my home cleaning products and Target. I only use planet friendly products in my house. I also have 3 recycling bins and I save all of my peanuts that are in packages that I take to a local shipping center for re-use.
Yes! I rocked that Modified Mohawk look back then. Looking for something to hold my thick, wavy hair back. I am ready for a retro banana clip.
i only remember pain using the banana clips. Those little hairs at the back of my neck would always get caught in the hinge area when clipping. Ouch!
I never tried these in the 80s, and while I don’t have curly hair, I have a ton of slightly wavy but basically straight hair, and I’m wondering if a banana clip might work. I am going to try the ones you posted from Amazon that were featured in a previous post. My hair is kind of smooth and heavy, and I feel like this might keep some of it off my back.
I am stoked about this. I have thick, wavy hair and this is a great alternative to ponytails. 💃🏻
Yep, I loved the banana clip. Loved it! My hair is super thick and when it was long there was just too much of it to get up in any other sort of band or clip for a ponytail or updo. The banana clip sort of spread it all out and then I could wear it up. For people with tons of hair it was a godsend.
Banana clips are in, so I predict the big bulbous cloth headbands will be back in too soon. Think Cher in Clueless.
The teen/insta/tiktok girls with the scrunchies on their wrist & hair just is too close to jojo siwa for me to enjoy meta-eighties clothing. But still, I can’t wait for less lockdown to dress up ANYWAY and own your own personal style again!
No. Just no. Horrible the first time and no better the second. And for the love of God, not for your wedding hair!!!!!!