Beauty Board: Top Knots
Remember, dear readers, last summer and how Heidi braids seized the limelight as the hairstyle of choice? Everywhere we turned there were pinned-up braids, haloing the heads of civilians and celebrities alike. (We even dedicated an episode of Who What Wear TV to the look!) Well, this year, another trend tornado is sweeping the fashionable elite and is sure to be the breakout style of the season. It's simple, stylish, and perfect for your inner slacker: the topknot!
The topknot—otherwise known as a super-high bun—is enjoying a sudden return to the spotlight thanks in part to designers like Jenni Kayne and Phillip Lim. The always ahead-of-the-curve Kayne presented her spring collection with be-knotted models; slightly messy hairstyle perfectly echoed the relaxed refinement of the designer's clothes. 3.1 Phillip Lim offered another version of this northern knot, an asymmetrical bun that perched on the models' heads like jaunty toy hats. The clearly defined side-part and doughnut-like shape might be a bit extreme for some readers, but it's intriguing nevertheless.
Now, this runway confection is being interpreted by the presiding pack of fashion favorites. Unsurprisingly, Erin Wasson's already mastered the style. She's worn variations on this look to a number of parties recently, including a Kayne-Lim combo topknot (high and messy, but off to one side) to a fete for photographer Russell James' eponymous book. Fellow downtown denizen Alexandra Richards also showed off a top-notch knot at a party celebrating Hell's Kitchen; she simply scraped back her blonde locks into a simple, high bun for instant chic.
Like most of our favorite trends—beauty and otherwise—the topknot is a flexible style that can be adapted to any occasion. While one might assume that the relaxed nature of this look is best suited to informal events, it's quickly becoming the event-do of choice for the cool crowd. Margherita Missoni went for a center-part topknot for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit at the Hotel du Cap during the recent film festival in Cannes. That same week, Chloe Sevigny also revealed her interpretation of the trend when she showed up at the Bulgari 125th Anniversary Dinner Celebration in Rome. Her wispy bangs add a little softness to the look, which is a nice contrast to her perfectly applied red lipstick and glamorous jewels.
When attempting this look at home, there are many different paths that will take you to your desired results. If you're interested in a more polished look, like the topknots shown at 3.1 Phillip Lim, you'll need to invest in a funny, slightly archaic tool: the hair doughnut. These foam or mesh circles, like the Luxor Pro Hair Foundation Bun Large Donut ($9), serve as the foundation of the bun and will give your hairstyle the desired shape. But first things first: to get the Lim look, start by creating a deep part on one side of your head. Gather your hair into a side ponytail (on the opposite side from the part) and secure it with an elastic band. If you need some help getting a smooth ponytail, spritz a little Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
($4) in your hair for control. Pull the ponytail through your styling doughnut and pin the doughnut to your head. Then all you have to do is to cover the doughnut! Just wrap your ponytail around the doughnut to conceal it, and pin your hair in place as you go.
The edgier version of this look—as seen at Jenni Kayne and on Erin Wasson—is even easier to accomplish. The style looks best when you start with lots of texture in your hair. Hair guru Ted Gibson prepped Kayne's models by applying his own Fix It Gel
($28) to create waves, mixed with Tame It Shine Lotion
($31) for shine, then dried the hair without using a brush (fingers only!).
On a side note: if you've got fine, straight hair, we suggest spraying some dry shampoo in your roots and throughout your hair to bulk it up. (Klorane's Gentle Dry Shampoo
($18) will help even the most flat-haired ladies.) Also, you might want to add some body to your hair with a curling iron; just create some messy waves and you'll have a great base.
Foundation sorted, Gibson then pulled the hair up into a very high ponytail and fastened it with a bungee elastic. Next he roughed up the ponytail, then twisted it on itself until it creates a bun and is in the desired shape. Topknot in place, he anchored it with bobby pins and finished the look with his Beautiful Hold Hair Spray
($28). Voila! The season's knotty girl look—and it couldn't be easier!
Runway Images, from firstVIEW; Photos of Margarita Missoni and Alexandra Richards, from Getty Images.
The topknot—otherwise known as a super-high bun—is enjoying a sudden return to the spotlight thanks in part to designers like Jenni Kayne and Phillip Lim. The always ahead-of-the-curve Kayne presented her spring collection with be-knotted models; slightly messy hairstyle perfectly echoed the relaxed refinement of the designer's clothes. 3.1 Phillip Lim offered another version of this northern knot, an asymmetrical bun that perched on the models' heads like jaunty toy hats. The clearly defined side-part and doughnut-like shape might be a bit extreme for some readers, but it's intriguing nevertheless.
Now, this runway confection is being interpreted by the presiding pack of fashion favorites. Unsurprisingly, Erin Wasson's already mastered the style. She's worn variations on this look to a number of parties recently, including a Kayne-Lim combo topknot (high and messy, but off to one side) to a fete for photographer Russell James' eponymous book. Fellow downtown denizen Alexandra Richards also showed off a top-notch knot at a party celebrating Hell's Kitchen; she simply scraped back her blonde locks into a simple, high bun for instant chic.
Like most of our favorite trends—beauty and otherwise—the topknot is a flexible style that can be adapted to any occasion. While one might assume that the relaxed nature of this look is best suited to informal events, it's quickly becoming the event-do of choice for the cool crowd. Margherita Missoni went for a center-part topknot for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit at the Hotel du Cap during the recent film festival in Cannes. That same week, Chloe Sevigny also revealed her interpretation of the trend when she showed up at the Bulgari 125th Anniversary Dinner Celebration in Rome. Her wispy bangs add a little softness to the look, which is a nice contrast to her perfectly applied red lipstick and glamorous jewels.
When attempting this look at home, there are many different paths that will take you to your desired results. If you're interested in a more polished look, like the topknots shown at 3.1 Phillip Lim, you'll need to invest in a funny, slightly archaic tool: the hair doughnut. These foam or mesh circles, like the Luxor Pro Hair Foundation Bun Large Donut ($9), serve as the foundation of the bun and will give your hairstyle the desired shape. But first things first: to get the Lim look, start by creating a deep part on one side of your head. Gather your hair into a side ponytail (on the opposite side from the part) and secure it with an elastic band. If you need some help getting a smooth ponytail, spritz a little Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
The edgier version of this look—as seen at Jenni Kayne and on Erin Wasson—is even easier to accomplish. The style looks best when you start with lots of texture in your hair. Hair guru Ted Gibson prepped Kayne's models by applying his own Fix It Gel
On a side note: if you've got fine, straight hair, we suggest spraying some dry shampoo in your roots and throughout your hair to bulk it up. (Klorane's Gentle Dry Shampoo
Foundation sorted, Gibson then pulled the hair up into a very high ponytail and fastened it with a bungee elastic. Next he roughed up the ponytail, then twisted it on itself until it creates a bun and is in the desired shape. Topknot in place, he anchored it with bobby pins and finished the look with his Beautiful Hold Hair Spray
Runway Images, from firstVIEW; Photos of Margarita Missoni and Alexandra Richards, from Getty Images.
COMMENTS (29)
|
this is so great! I love top knots! they flatter your chiseled face and shows off your jewel! looks at how those necklaces pop! speaking of necklaces, I noticed that a lot of celebrities has been really into costume jewelry. Check out the Collar Necklace at www.melindamaria.com I think the difference between the top knot and the way lazy school girls wear their hair is this: high schoolers wear this style much lower, and usually don't knot it (they just make a ponytail and then flip their hair in half, like a hot dog bun). This is also known as the sloppy bun.
This look is a little more "fashiony" because not everyone can pull it off and it makes more of a statement. I'm sporting one right now! So easy and awesome. It's a very convenient hair style that many people I know have been doing for years - so, I would not see it as a 'trend' per se. Plus, we used to do this throughout highschool purely out of laziness! Does Erin do her make-up to purposely look tired and pale, with red around her eyes? It looks like she has the flu. like every girl at my school already does this, i think every teenage girl does this, its simple but flattering :) i absolutely love this do, but my hair is too short and straight. dangit!
sugarrockcatwalk.com very late 80's meets early 90's :) - fashionchalet.BLOGSPOT.com This is what I do everyday when I'm at home and too lazy to have my hair hanging in it face... Erin wasson's is the epitome of the "ok no time to do my hair, just can't have it danging" sort of thing. At my school, this is what everyone does bc they are all unstylish teenage bums. But I do like margherita's to a nice event. I understand this is interpreted as stylish...I did once consider so, but really you must pair it with a good outfit otherwise it screams "slept till 12 weekender in pjs" I was wearing a similar look yesterday. i took my inspiration from Nicole Richie. it’s a casual no fuss look for when you don’t have time to really style your hair, on weekends etc. It works well with a fringe too like in this pic http://www.denimology.co.uk/2009/04/nicole_richie_in_paige_premium_vermont_denim_jacket.php I actually love this! I was admiring Jenni Kayne's SP2009 collection last night and wore my hair to work like this today! boring!!!! Yeah, definately not a fan of this. it reminds me of those sloppy girls at school, you know, the one who would show up in their pajamas? They wore their hair like this. I guess this is just one trend i won't be a part of i love this, totally cute. reminds me of carrie bradshaw. who says you have to look perfectly polished all the time? Im not sure how I feel about this look other than Jordan's..hers looks pretty and dainty but Erin's is a bit too much.
www.thestylerules.com
wow! girls at my school have been doing this for a year now i love this look. it reminds me of lykke li who i think has amazing style. it's not sloppy, it's just carefree. and by the way whatever happened to wwwTV? i haven't seen a recent update for a while now! no thanks :/ My family in India look like that every morning! Though I do believe it was Johnny from The Fashion Show that brought it back 'in' - give credit where it is due! this is what all the girls do at my catholic school, haha i guess lazy hairdos are the new chic! Seriously? This look is simply adorable, especially if you are small with small features. I love the look of topknots. I've been wearing them for some time now, and every time I go out I get compliments. This "trend" is comical! I have been doing this for years to wash my face. Out in public? JAMAIS! To me, this screams "It's Saturday morning, I woke up late and need to get to the bank before it closes." Lazy and sloppy. Or, in the case of Philip Lim and Jenni Kayne, just plain goofy. Since when did sloppy become a fashion statement? Sorry, but this either looks silly or sloppy. This is how I wear to my hair to the gym or when taking out the trash. Maybe I'm not young and cool enough for the topknot trend. Um - unless you're at home cleaning and need to get your hair out of your face quickly, this look is heinous. I am not really fond of this look because it just seems really bad on a lot of people and a bit sloppy. However, Margherita Missoni's one is not that bad. I guess it is the shape of it and how it looks on the person to make it work. I saw tons of people at my bf's little bro's graduation have this though so I guess a lot of people like it. *shrugs* I think this is the first time in my life were I have actually done something before it was on WWW! At my school top knots are banded as nearly the whole secondary school wore them including me and our school hats would not fit on our heads if we wore them, so the principal banded them. |
| Subscribe | Who What Wear Style Series | Shop the Closet | About Us | Ask a Stylist | Monthly Archive | What Was She Wearing | Advertise | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Support | Sitemap | |||
© Who What Wear LLC. 2010 All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except as expressly permitted in writing by Who What Wear LLC |
