The Ultimate Guide to School Hair Accessories: Styles, Trends and Tips!

I was in 7th grade, living in Michigan, still in braces and staying over at my friend Becky’s house who attended the local girls Catholic school.  We had been best friends up until her parents decided a different junior high for her, but, for the day, we could hang out and pretend it was 6th grade again which was beginning to feel miles away.

I’m not sure if it was a taster day or I just wanted a break from my routine but I was there, shadowing her to see what her lessons were like.  We laughed and got dressed as most girls do, looking at pictures of Dave Navarro from the guitar magazine even though we didn’t play the guitar. 

Becky transitioned from pyjamas to her white shirt and grey skirt absentmindedly.  The last, most amazing, thing to go on were her socks, which were ankle length and rainbow striped.  I had never known Becky to wear anything outside of Gap or Abercrombie & Fitch muted neutrals (this is 1993).  She just shrugged. . .we can wear whatever socks we like, she said.  

Now I live in England and nearly everyone wears school uniforms but the sentiment hasn’t changed.  My girls want something empowering and sparkly in their hair.  Something, different. 

Every morning the Classette bag comes out, they pick which pieces they want and I braid and clip to the best of my ability.  I ask them what they want on their toast and how long they reckon their brother will sleep.  

But this is the guide to the ultimate school hair accessories you say, WHERE is the guide?

OK.  Here we go, are you ready?  Are YOU ready??

It’s the Ultimate Guide to School Hair Accessories!  Yes it’s the ultimate 2025 guide to school hair accessories and it’s going to blow your mind!

GROWING OUT A FRINGE

If they are growing out a fringe, start with 2 small clear bands, disguised with clips over the bands. This will keep it off their face, all day.  If their hair is shorter than shoulder length you could just leave it down.  If you have more time it looks very sweet with tiny braids, going into the ponytail at the back.  Also sweet are high or low pigtails.  Worn up high gives a completely different look to down low, nearly at their neck.  My daughters like both, depending on their mood.  Sometimes I leave them half looped like I used to wear my hair in a scrunchie in high school.  You did NOT pull it through, god no. 

THE 2 MINUTE MESSY BALLERINA

Get the hair in as high a ponytail as it can reasonably go.  A tiny bit higher than the crown of the head looks good.  Twist it.  Keep twisting, then wrap it round back on itself and finish with their elastic of choice.  We pick the elastics first, then twist.  The key word here is messy so if some ends are sticking out it’s good and chic and this is how the French do everything so embrace it.  I add a clip or 2 under the bun to keep those shorter hairs from falling out and just to add extra jazz.

Oh at this point I should tell you a fine-tooth pintail comb is INDISPENSABLE for getting the hair smooth and flat and polished looking.  If you do not already own one of these gems, get one now, your hairstyles have just improved by 30%.  The pointy end makes parting and sectioning hair so, so much easier.  

THE 3 PONYTAIL STORY STACK

Use that magical pintail comb and section off a small front section, starting around their temple or mid-forehead.  This is especially great if you are halfway through a fringe grow out or they have some shorter pieces in front.  Secure with their elastic of choice.  My youngest likes the clouds best.  Then another section.  Maybe it’s a story?  So the second is a heart.  And the ending, at the rainbow.  There you go, you have just walked through the plot to the Wizard of Oz.  Over marmite.  And today is going to be a GOOD school day.

THE EN-ROUTE WALKING, COMB-FREE INDEPENDENCE HAIRSTYLE

You are 10 minutes late.  Grab the headband and an elastic and walk out the door.  No comb necessary.  With one hand, preferably whilst holding the elastic in your teeth, loosely finger comb the hair into a ponytail.  Secure with an elastic.  It can look a total mess because here is where the magic comes.  Put on the headband.  Suddenly it looks perfect and pulled together and intentional.  This is also one they can do THEMSELVES.  Independence is very important.

So enjoy!  Or try to enjoy even though they are kids and they keep moving their heads and this is HARD.  But at least you know you have bought the correct colour school hair accessory set, their uniform is (mostly) stain free and you have just shared a moment of calm before the school run.  Oh and they look amazing and are beaming because you’ve just put a shooting star next to their ear.

x Erin

Classette Founder