Editors Are Using This Low-Key Accessory to Create Fuller- and Longer-Looking Hair
So chic.
There’s no doubt about it: 2025 was the year of the claw-clip revival. I feel like everywhere I went, whether it was a casual beach day or a nice dinner out, I saw someone wearing one. Truthfully, I've always appreciated that claw clips can be dressed up or down to add sophistication to any basic hairstyle, and they can often handle more hair than a traditional hair tie. But in 2026, we’re turning to a different kind of hair accessory to help complete our looks.
Enter banana clips. A relic of the '80s, these gems resemble claw clips but are longer and skinnier and made with the sole purpose of helping you achieve a more voluminous ponytail, sans extensions. Sounds like a total must-have, right? As seen on TikTok, these clips are ultra versatile and will help you fake the look of more hair instantly.
Though they're not the most intuitive for beginners, there are plenty of tutorials that exist to help you perfect the art of putting in banana clips. Below, I polled my fellow Who What Wear editors to find out what banana clips they’re coveting this year—we’ll be adding these accessories to our strands ASAP.
The Best Banana Clips, at a Glance
- Best for Formal Events: FRColor Pearl Banana Clip
- Best for Long Hair: Camila French Hair Banana Clincher Clip
- Best for Thin Hair: Hapdoo Banana Hair Clips
- Best for Edgy Looks: Suoirblss Metal Alloy Banana Hair Clip
- Best for Everyday Wear: Ficcare Maximas Silky Hair Clip
The Best Banana Clips in 2026
Sierra Mayhew, Fashion Editor
For Formal Events: FRColor Pearl Banana Clip
"I love this trend so much I want everyone to know I'm wearing it," says Mayhew. "For that reason, I'll be wearing a banana clip that has statement pearls on it so it's never missed in my hair. This might be the exact accessory I needed to dress up my sweatpants on a day spent working from home."
Pros: Good on all hair types, elegant
Cons: Pearls look fake and may fall out with time
Hair type: All
Count: 1
Customer review: "My hair is thick, and banana clips usually don't hold it into place. This clip wasn't just cute and elegant but it was also good quality as well."
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Caitie Schlisserman, Group Executive Director, Branded Content
For Long Hair: Camila French Hair Banana Clincher Clip
"When it comes to my very long hair, I'm as low-maintenance as it gets, which is probably why I'm a sucker for a good hair accessory. It makes it seem like I put some effort in," says Schlisserman. "Since my wardrobe consists of mostly neutral pieces, I like going big with my clips, and this one is speaking to me."
Pros: Stylish, holds hair well
Cons: Plastic may break over time
Hair type: Thin, medium
Count: 1
Customer review: "Sometimes I just want to quickly pull my hair up a bit differently than a ponytail. This takes care of business. It is well made but it's plastic so eventually it may break. My first one lasted a couple years."
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Erin Jahns, Beauty Director
For Thin Hair: Hapdoo Banana Hair Clips
"I'm convinced using a banana clip is the smarter (not to mention, easier!) alternative to extensions and fake ponytails for mimicking the look of longer, fuller hair," says Jahns. "There's not much I miss about my days when I had keratin bonded extensions, but I do miss how gloriously thick and bouncy my ponytails were. Banana clips actually create a similar illusion and they also make your style look significantly more elevated and put together."
Pros: Stylish, comes with several in a pack
Cons: Won't work well on thick hair
Hair type: Thin
Count: 4
Customer review: "Great! It worked so well on my thin hair."
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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Contributor
For Edgy Looks: Suoirblss Metal Alloy Banana Hair Clip
"While most clips can't always hold up my extremely thick curly hair, I do love to add in clips for fun," says Fox-Suliaman. "It's a great way to add a little pizzazz to my go-to hairstyles."
Pros: Sleek design, works well on thick hair
Cons: May feel a bit heavy
Hair type: All
Count: 2
Customer review: "Overall I do like the quality and the weight! Looks super cute on and holds my curly hair well."
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Katie Berohn, Contributor
For Everyday Wear: Ficcare Maximas Silky Hair Clip
I have extremely thick hair, and sometimes, a ponytail holder just doesn't let it cascade the way I want it to. Banana clips not only evenly distribute my hair, but they also make it look way longer than it is as I'm impatiently trying to grow it out.
Pros: Modern design, comes in several colors
Cons: May be hard to use for beginners
Hair type: All
Count: 1
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How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best banana clips, we leaned heavily on our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including hair type and item count. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.