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01 Sep

Our Favourite Lower-Waste Scrunchies

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The iconic ‘90s accessory has made its comeback, and we love it. Read the article to discover the brands making more responsible scrunchies that are gentle on your hair and the planet.

The iconic ‘90s accessory has made a comeback

The good thing about fashion trends is that they love to make a comeback. One era in particular was revived a few years ago and has been thriving ever since: the ‘90s.

The 1990s are iconic for many reasons (Britney Spears, The Spice Girls, The Olsen twins—need we say more?), but one stand out accessory has found its way back to our hearts and really stuck around: the (in)famous scrunchie.

While the scrunchie was invented in the 1960s, it only really took off in the late 1980s when singer Rommy Revson patented this more gentle alternative to metal hair ties people were using at the time (naming the creation after her toy poodle, Scunchie, in the process. Yes, the r was added later).

The scrunchie was a hit, making it onto big TV shows like Friends. But by the early 2000s, society’s love for the scrunchie had fizzled, and it was deemed unfashionable at the end of the decade.

We had to wait ten years for the scrunchie to crawl out from its grave and make an unexpected comeback. It’s now worn by celebrities and influencers, including Kim Kardashian and Haily Bieber. And for good reason. The scrunchie is the perfect accessory for every day. Not only is it more gentle on your hair, it has that elevated but effortless feel that can help transform an outfit.

Of course, the scrunchie has captured fast fashion brands’ attention too, and you’ll find plenty of scrunchie options on their websites. But like with many fast fashion items, these scrunchies aren’t the most respectful of people, the planet, and animals. They are often made from harmful fabrics like polyester by people who weren’t paid fair wages.

So we went on the hunt for the best more sustainable scrunchies out there. The good thing about the scrunchies listed below is that they’re all made from leftover fabrics that the brands reuse. Keep reading to discover the brands making more conscious scrunchies that are gentle on your hair and the planet.

OhSevenDays

Rated: Good
A pack of colourful scrunchies by OhSevenDays.

Pack of Three Scrunchies: Mix and Match – Ships internationally from Turkey

Australian-Canadian Megan Mummery started OhSevenDays to promote slow fashion and the “power of circularity”. Based in Istanbul, the brand reclaims end-of-roll fabrics from the city’s garment factories and creates sharp, everyday womenswear. It makes slow fashion from fast fashion’s leftovers, including these cute and colourful scrunchies.

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Shop OhSevenDays.

Elle Evans

Rated: Good
A woman wearing an eco-friendly scrunchie by Elle Evans.

Three Pack Moss Scrunchie – Ships internationally from Australia

Keep your locks in check both in and out of the water with Elle Evans’ quick-drying scrunchies made from leftover recycled nylon fabric.

Founded in 2013, Elle Evans Swimwear creates beautiful, more sustainable, swimwear and activewear for people who care about fashion and the future. The brand uses post-consumer waste fabrics and traces all of its supply chain.

See the rating.

Shop Elle Evans.

Miakoda

Rated: Good
A pack of eco-conscious scrunchies by Miakoda.

The Zero Waste Scrunchie – Ships internationally from the US

If you’re all about that organic plant-based lifestyle, you’ll most certainly vibe with Miakoda and its organic, ultra-cosy active and loungewear. The pieces include stripped-back colours and designs that are all about comfort. Everything is manufactured in NYC.

Miakoda also creates lower-waste scrunchies, using small fabric scraps that are created during the cutting process of its garment production and elastic. That’s circularity we love to see.

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Shop Miakoda.

Shop Miakoda @ Wearwell.

KOHR

Rated: Great
close up and back view of person with long black hair tied with off-white waffle scrunchie by Kohr

Waffle Scrunchie – Ships internationally from the UK

KOHR is a UK-based slow fashion brand that designs and manufactures in house. The pinnacle of innovation, it focuses on longevity, versatility and traceability. Made in its unique waffle fabric, this handmade scrunchie is locally made using natural rubber and biodegradable elastic. The perfect touch to an outfit that plants a tree too!

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Shop KOHR.

Pansy

Rated: Good
A set of colourful ethical scrunchies by Pansy

Scrunchies – Ships internationally from the US

Pansy is a California-based basics brand that offers organic cotton underwear for all beautiful sizes. The brand also makes these cute scrap fabric organic cotton scrunchies to match your underwear, a style move we fully support.

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Shop Pansy.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good
A pair of scrunchies from Jyoti.

Upcycled Scrunchie – Ships internationally from Germany

For those living in Europe, you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on the beautiful upcycled scrunchies from Jyoti. Truly embodying better fashion practices, this German company provides employment for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India.

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Shop Jyoti.

HERTH

Rated: Good
A black, white and hot pink organic silk scrunchie by HERTH.

EDI Hot Pink GOTS Organic Silk Scrunchie – Ships internationally from Italy

HERTH spins GOTS certified organic silk into luxurious, fashionable scrunchies, designed and made by expert Italian artisans. The brand promotes slow fashion creating contemporary pieces characterised by clean silhouettes with meticulous attention to detail.

See the rating.

Shop HERTH.

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Editor's note

Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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