Love it or hate it, crimped hair is back

Trends inevitably come and go, but eventually, they make their way back into the zeitgeist. But there are certain trends that we hope never come back into style, like skinny brows or low-rise jeans. The latest trend to resurface is one we didn’t think we’d ever see again—and on the runway, nonetheless.

At New York Fashion Week, several designers had models walk the runway with crimped hair, but not in the typical all-over ’80s fashion. Instead, the style was more intentional, with a variety of crimped hairstyles—some more subtle, like hidden in an updo, and others that blur the line between crimp and hot-tool blunder.

 

Hairstylist Lacy Redway created what she called an “enchanted crimp” at Christian Siriano, which featured strategically placed crimps to give a “folklore” feel. Redway got the hair super sleek and glossy using TRESemmé’s A-List Bonding Oil before placing crimps throughout. Even those who recall their first hair crimper for the ‘90s can admit that this style looks decidedly cool and modern—a convincing case for crimped hair.

At Christian Cowan, hairstylist Justine Marjan took a similar approach by crimping rogue pieces within the hair—both in updos with crimped front-framing pieces and low ponytails—but blending the bends with irregular flat-iron waves to make the dramatic look slightly less stark and more wearable. She used the A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray to give the hair an imperfect look.

Lastly, the models at Area wore super-structural crimped styles, courtesy of hairstylist Joey George, who added crimps around the eyes and chin to emphasise bone structure and create face-framing accents. The Spring/Summer 2027 collection from Area was created with unconventional materials, so it only makes sense that the hair was a bit unconventional, as well.

While you don’t have to go full mermaid waves come spring, adding a few expertly placed crimps here and there may be an easier gateway into the trend (without feeling like you were transported back to the ’80s).

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com/US in September 2026.

Image credits: Getty Images

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