The Humble Scrunchie

Today, for our first post here at Add This On we look at this now ubiquitous hair accessory… that has quite an interesting history. The Scrunchie wasn’t always the staple we now see it as.

Scrunchies have been in and out of fashion since their invention in the 1980s. These elastic hair ties, made from fabric, have a unique design that allows them to be gentle on hair while also providing a secure hold. In this article, we will explore the history of scrunchies and how they became a cultural phenomenon.

The invention of the scrunchie can be traced back to 1984, when a woman named Rommy Revson was looking for a better hair tie solution. Revson, a fashion designer from New York City, wanted a hair accessory that was gentle on hair, easy to use, and stylish. She came up with the idea of a hair tie made from elastic and covered in fabric, which she called the Scunci.

Revson patented her invention in 1986 and began selling it in stores around the country. The Scunci quickly became popular, and Revson’s company, also called Scunci, grew rapidly. The scrunchie was especially popular among women with curly or wavy hair, as it was less likely to cause breakage or frizz than traditional hair ties.

The scrunchie’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, as it became a staple accessory for girls and women of all ages. Scrunchies came in a wide variety of colors and patterns, from neon brights to animal prints. They were often worn in multiples, with one or more scrunchies adorning a ponytail or bun.

The scrunchie even made its way into popular culture, with appearances in movies like “Heathers” and “Clueless,” and on TV shows like “Saved by the Bell” and “Full House.” In the 1990s, the scrunchie was a ubiquitous accessory, worn by celebrities and regular people alike.

However, by the late 1990s and early 2000s, the scrunchie began to fall out of fashion. Some people considered it outdated or tacky, and it was replaced by more sleek and minimalist hair accessories like bobby pins and hair clips.

But in recent years, the scrunchie has made a comeback. It began to re-emerge in the early 2010s, with high-end designers like Balenciaga and Mansur Gavriel including scrunchies in their collections. The scrunchie has become a staple accessory once again, worn by people of all ages and styles.

The scrunchie’s resurgence can be attributed in part to nostalgia for the 1990s, as well as a growing interest in sustainable fashion. Unlike traditional hair ties, which are often made from plastic, scrunchies can be made from fabric scraps or other sustainable materials.

In conclusion, the scrunchie has a rich history that spans several decades. From its invention by Rommy Revson in the 1980s, to its popularity in the 1990s, to its recent resurgence, the scrunchie has become a cultural icon. Whether you love them or hate them, it’s hard to deny the scrunchie’s enduring appeal as a comfortable, stylish, and versatile hair accessory.