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Scrunchie

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A scrunchie is a special kind of hair tie made of fabric.

Chouchou
Chouchou

It uses an elastic band that is hidden inside soft cloth. When you wrap it around a ponytail, the fabric forms a pretty ruffle. These hair accessories come in many different colors, sizes, and patterns. Some are very small and simple to use. Other styles are large, elaborate, and very fancy. People love them because they can match almost any outfit. They are useful for fastening medium to long hair types.

Making a scrunchie is a simple but clever way to protect hair. The soft fabric covers the elastic to make it much gentler. This is helpful because it prevents the harshness of metal hair ties. Some scrunchies are even made of towelling fabric. This type can help dry wet hair faster. It also protects hair when it is fragile and wet. Using them can help you avoid leaving dents in your hair. They can also add volume to buns without using extra inserts.

Many people helped create the history of these hair ties. Philips E. Meyers had a concept for fabric-covered elastic in 1963. Later, Colleen Larkin sold "Ribbonbands" in 40 US states from 1980 to 1984. In California, The Body Shop sold similar items called "Silkies" or "Stretchies." Rommy Hunt Revson received the patent for the scrunchie in 1987. She was a house sitter in the Hamptons at the time. She bought a $50 sewing machine to learn how to sew. She made the first prototype in just a few weeks.

Revson named her invention "Scunci" after her pet toy poodle. The name later changed to "scrunchie" because the fabric bunches up or "scrunches." Today, the brand Scünci is owned by a company called Conair.

Crochet scrunchies
Crochet scrunchies

There have been over five hundred different designs made since they were invented. In the 1980s and 1990s, many famous stars wore them. Celebrities like Janet Jackson and Madonna were often seen with them. Even female astronauts used them to secure their hair on space missions.

Scrunchies have gone in and out of fashion many times. They were very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. However, they lost popularity in the early 2000s. During this time, some people thought wearing them was embarrassing. The scrunchie made a big comeback in the late 2010s. They appeared on runways at New York Fashion Week in 2017. Now, they are part of many different styles. Some teens even exchange them as a sign of affection. Others wear them on their wrists as part of a trend.

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