Why 90s-style hair clips are the must-have hair accessory of this season

Retro hair is alive and well in 2018

Sunday 23 September 2018 12:19 BST

Fashion designer Ashley Williams has become well-known for her rhinestone hair clips (Getty)

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From bumbags to mom jeans and even TV shows – Sabrina the Teenage Witch is being given a live action reboot on Netflix – the Nineties are currently serving as serious inspiration across the board, but nowhere is its influence more evident than the wonderful world of accessories.

For what feels like years, our locks have remained woefully neglected in terms of adornment. However, for autumn/winter 2018, designers signalled a triumphant return for all sorts of accessories, from blinged-out hair pins to barrettes and sleek slides.

A trend that started last season with Simone Rocha’s pearl-encrusted clips, this time round the designer gave hair another major makeover with embellished crystal bows in two different sizes worn at the same time.

The look translated elsewhere with monogrammed hair clips at Max Mara which decorated models’ hair with M-shaped jewel clips, while Chanel upgraded the classic post-gym top knot with double C blingy slides placed at the back of each bun.

The queen of sparkly slides, Ashley Williams, also showcased dazzling hair accessories with her trademark rhinestone clips that this time read “Error”, “Sorry”, “Heaven” and “Hell”.

Jewel-encrusted clips weren’t the only iteration of the Nineties hair accessory, though – at Ashish there were nostalgia-inducing butterfly versions, while Alexander Wang’s models sported slicked-back twists held together with silver crocodile clips.

From maximalist spangly slogans to discreet slides, the hairdressing stakes have officially been raised.

Oval crystal hair slides, two-pack, £7.50, Topshop

One of the few runway looks that is easily recreated at home, hair clips are a great way to transform your regular tresses from basic to bold with minimum effort.

For a super-chic finish, our favourite way to wear them is by scooping slightly dishevelled hair to one side and securing with two matching slides – ensuring that your hair isn’t too perfect will make the trend appear less twee.

Alternatively, investing in a crocodile or claw clip is a great, and far more fashionable, way to conceal unwashed hair.