From Silk Scarves to Crochet Caps, These Are the Summer Hair Accessories It Girls Can't Stop Wearing

Every season comes with its own flurry of trends, whether they're runway-influenced wardrobe overhauls or new makeup movements, and summer 2026 is proving to be no different. It's ushering in a new era of manicures—such as seaglass nails and pillbox manis—hair inspiration, and makeup trends, but undoubtedly, the beauty category generating the most buzz this summer is hair accessories.

I won't lie to you and pretend that hair accessories have never been front-page news in the fashion world, but it seems like tastemakers and celebrities alike have been putting equal effort into their hair accessories and full ensembles. Take it from notable content creator and Who What Wear editor in residence Coco Schiffer, who styles luxury campaigns and jet-sets frequently, seeing all walks of fashion. "I feel like silk scarves, crochet caps, and French pins are going to be everywhere this summer," Schiffer states. "They all have this really effortless, slightly nostalgic vibe that makes even the simplest outfit feel more interesting. It's very 'thrown together in the chicest way possible.'"

Celebrity hairstylists and salon founders would have to agree. "We're in a major 'low-maintenance luxury' era," professional hairstylist Christine Bellemare explains. "People want to look polished and put-together without looking overly done, and accessories are one of the easiest ways to make hair feel intentional with minimal effort." In short, we'll know you have taste if we spot you in any of these trends. The best part? These bits and bobs zap lengthy hairstyling processes to under-five-minute fixes. Keep scrolling for the It hair accessories that threaten to make our credit card statements read like telephone numbers.

5 Hair Accessories to Wear in Summer 2026

Crochet Caps

Crochet seems to always resurface when the temps heat up, and this summer is no different—except that we're putting it on our heads. "Crochet can be anything from headbands to caps, which are very trendy this season," says celebrity hairstylist Stephanie Angelone. However, it's crochet caps and half scarves that are stealing the limelight nowadays. "They're great for festival season, beach vibes, and fun to throw on and tie your summer look together," she adds.

These caps are typically easy to style, as you can slip them over your head and go, but you may need to thread a few sneaky hair pins through the bottom edges to hold them in place—especially if you plan to spend your day dancing at a music festival. Your locks do require a bit of styling, if you'd like, as the hair often hangs limp underneath. "When doing a crochet headpiece, I always recommend a fun tousled beach wave or just your natural hair air-dried," says Angelone. As for the outfit, Schiffer envisions a crochet cap with an oversize button-down at the beach, and we're totally on board.

Pair It With

Silk Scarves

Silk scarves are, without a doubt, one of the most Instagrammed accessories trends these days. Whether exploring the streets of Lake Como or schlepping in New York City, you're sure to spot a stylish person wearing a chic scarf tied in their hair one way or another. "I think people want accessories that feel easy and personal instead of overly styled," says Schiffer. "I'm always collecting vintage silk scarves because they instantly make an outfit feel more polished."

Whether you choose to go the vintage route like Schiffer or shop one of our favorites below, you're upgrading your summer wardrobe with this one small addition. "The best accessories right now feel like part of the outfit, not just something functional," says Bellemare. Schiffer agrees and adds, "They make basics feel cooler without trying too hard." Try laying one over your hairline and tying it under your locks at the nape of your neck or layering it with a loose, low bun for a romantic Euro-summer aesthetic. Schiffer's only ask? Keep it simple: A white tank and jeans is all it needs. "They instantly make everything feel more intentional," she explains.

Style It With

French Pins

French pins are those long, elegant two-pronged pins that make it easy to throw your hair up in an effortless chignon, and they're coming back in a big way this summer. Whether you're twirling your hair into a loose knot or accenting an updo with a few of the sleek spears, Schiffer stands by the versatility of these forked tools. "For French pins, I usually gravitate toward really simple tortoiseshell or metal styles that feel timeless and easy," she states.

This hair accessory makes an outfit feel dressy, which might make you balk at the idea of incorporating it into your everyday style. To shake this, the experts say to treat these details like jewelry—pieces that complete the outfit rather than stand apart. "A French pin with a sleek low bun and a jewelry stack all feels very chic to me," Schiffer muses. "They're small details, but they completely change the look!"

Add It With

Mermaid Adornments

Mermaid style seems to be the talk of beauty-editor town, from Chanel's cruise 26/27 show to oceanic hair pins, and I'm not talking about the dress silhouette. Beauty lovers are doing themselves up in siren style this summer. "I'm seeing a huge resurgence of oversize claw clips, silk scarves, statement barrettes, and ocean-inspired accessories," says Bellemare. Take, for example, this set of pearl-adorned pins that would look fabulous detailing a tousled low bun or this glossy fish barrette from It girl–beloved accessories brand Jennifer Behr. "They're an easy way to elevate even the simplest hairstyle," she adds.

Combine It With

Statement Barrettes

One of the simplest ways to add a little something extra to your hairstyle is by clipping a statement barrette into your hair, and Bellemare is seeing a resurgence of jewelry-like clips in summer-strewn, natural textures. The hairstylist predicts "soft, natural texture paired with statement barrettes" for a modern take on the girlish accessory. "My biggest tip is to embrace a little imperfection and your hair's natural texture to make it feel even more lived-in and chic," she adds.

Wear It With

How We Chose

We determined the top hair accessories trends for summer 2026 by conducting market research—going backstage at fashion-week shows, attending seasonal fashion and beauty previews, and interviewing celebrity hairstylists, brand founders, and stylists—and summarizing our findings. We also indulged in the trends ourselves throughout this process, styling everything from silk scarves to crochet caps on vacations, in our home bases, and in new environments to see what resonated with fashion and beauty lovers. The result of our research and real-world testing is the above list and our product recommendations.

Meet Our Experts

• Coco Schiffer is a stylist, content creator, and Who What Wear editor in residence based in NYC.
• Stephanie Angelone is a New York City–based celebrity hairstylist at Rpzl Hair Extension & Blowout Bar.
• Christine Bellemare is a professional hairstylist and cofounder of Maven, A Collect in Boston, Massachusetts.

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