While Parisian designers have been making the case for laissez-faire hair this season (we’re looking at you, Céline, Chloé, and Isabel Marant), Chanel is known for taking a more hands-on approach to beauty. Hairstylist Sam McKnight has been tucking baubles into elaborate coifs for collection after collection: There was the diamanté crescent moon placed front and center in a bed of disco curls at Resort 2015; silk chiffon flowers woven into the ends of loose plaits at Spring 2015 Couture; and silver glittering pistols adorning ponytails at the Métiers d’Art 2014 collection in Dallas.
With hair accessories making a comeback for Fall 2016 (standouts include those at Rodarte in New York, Alexander McQueen in London, and Dolce Gabbana in Milan), what better time than now to invest in one of your own?
And while the silver double-bow clip seen on Spring 2016’s runway is now in stores for $900, as this Vogue photo editor and hair obsessive recently discovered, it’s relatively easy to find playful vintage and secondhand versions that add a little Chanel chicness to your life without breaking the bank. A recent eBay search turned up a glossy black clip emblazoned with headphones and stars ($340), a charming barrette embellished with gold rhinestone dragonflies ($368), and a punk rock version marked with crossbones ($199). The RealReal posted a white option sprinkled with colorful flowers and ladybugs ($175), and on Vestiaire Collective, a nude barrette decorated with three pink lipsticks just sold for $104. I’ve even seen a rainbow holographic iteration on Designer Vault for $198. All, of course, come stamped with the house’s signature double Cs.
Coco Chanel once said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Fasten any of these pieces into unwashed lengths or tuck one into an elegant updo and your hair will instantly broadcast a bit of both.