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Scrunchie

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A scrunchie is a fabric-covered elastic hair tie.

Chouchou
Chouchou

It is designed to fasten medium to long hair types. The device uses an elastic band encased in loose fabric. When twisted around a ponytail, the fabric forms a decorative ruffle. These accessories come in many different colors, fabrics, and designs. Some are large and elaborate, while others are small and unassuming. They serve as both a functional tool and a fashion accessory.

The mechanism of a scrunchie relies on the interaction between elastic and textile. The inner elastic provides the tension needed to hold hair in place. The outer fabric layer serves several important purposes. It protects the hair from the harshness of metal hair ties. It also prevents the creation of dents in the hair. Some varieties use towelling fabric to help dry wet hair. This is useful because hair is more fragile when it is wet.

Crochet scrunchies
Crochet scrunchies

Additionally, scrunchies can add volume to hair buns without using doughnut-shaped inserts.

There are many different types of scrunchies in existence. Since their invention, there have been over five hundred different designs. Some are simple and made from standard cloth. Others are more complex, such as those made from bead crochet. The scale of these items can vary significantly. Some brands even sell "XXL" silk versions. The variety of materials allows them to fit many different aesthetics. They can range from everyday items to high-fashion luxury goods.

The history of the scrunchie involves several different inventors and brands. Philips E. Meyers developed a concept for fabric-covered elastic in 1963. In the early 1980s, Colleen Larkin sold "Ribbonbands" in 40 US states. These were sold in major stores like Macy's and Neiman Marcus. During the same era, The Body Shop in California sold "Silkies" and "Stretchies." However, Rommy Hunt Revson is credited with the patent for the scrunchie in 1987. Revson was a house sitter in the Hamptons when she began her work. She bought a $50 sewing machine to learn how to sew. She developed her first prototype within a few weeks.

Revson's invention had a very specific origin and name. She was inspired by the elastic waistband on her sweatpants. She named her brand "Scunci" after her pet toy poodle. The term "scrunchie" eventually became a genericized trademark. This happened because the name reflects how the fabric bunches or "scrunches" into a compact form. The Scünci brand is now owned by the company Conair. Conair produces many hair products, including the "Original Scrunchie." The popularity of the item has fluctuated greatly over the decades.

Scrunchies saw massive popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. They matched the colorful, over-the-top aesthetic of the 1980s. Many famous celebrities wore them, including Janet Jackson and Madonna. Madonna famously wore a large velvet version in the movie *Desperately Seeking Susan*. The popularity even extended to female astronauts in space. However, the trend declined in the early 2000s. A comment in *Sex and the City* suggested that wearing them was a fashion mistake. This helped make the scrunchie feel embarrassing for a decade.

In the late 2010s, the scrunchie experienced a major revival. It appeared on the runways of New York Fashion Week in 2017. High-end brands like Balenciaga began selling luxury versions. The comeback is linked to nostalgic culture and a focus on hair health. Scrunchies are gentler on curly, coarse, or kinky hair. They have also become part of modern internet trends. For example, they are a key part of the "VSCO girl" aesthetic on TikTok. They even serve as social symbols, as teens often exchange them to show affection.

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