Helen Mirren is bringing back this hair accessory you probably already own

The actress has been sporting a knotted headband during the Cannes Film Festival

Dame Helen Mirren is seen at the Martinez Hotel during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 08, 2021 in Cannes, France.
(Image credit: VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Of all the stars making headlines at the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival, there’s one in particular we’re always taken with—Dame Helen Mirren. The actress sported some of the chicest looks of the week, but one accessory has been making repeat appearances: her knotted headbands.

On July 7th, Helen showed the proper way to wear a headband when she attended a screening of The Velvet Underground, a documentary film directed and produced by Todd Haynes that follows musician Lou Reed and his band. The documentary is scheduled to air on Apple TV+ on October 15, 2021, but was screened for the first time at the Cannes where Helen debuted one of many chic outfits. Her fully-accessorized look consisted of her hair slicked back with a checkered knotted number, gold hoop earrings, a thick black belt, and a gold chain to tie the look together. 

Dame Helen Mirren attends the "The Velvet Underground" screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 07, 2021 in Cannes, France.

(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The style can come in various forms as Helen shows during her arrival at the Cannes on July 4th. Rather than wear the fashionable horseshoe headband, she chose a basic grey stretch style to pull her hair back. Usually, the horseshoe style is used as more of a statement piece, whereas most stretch headbands can be worn with more casual attire, including your workout clothes.

Actress Helen Mirren arrives for the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival at Nice Airport on July 04, 2021 in Nice, France.

(Image credit: Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

Taking after Princess Eugenie’s padded velvet headband look, the actress was also spotted along the riviera with a similar headpiece. Helen was seen at the Martinez Hotel on July 8 in Cannes, sporting a black velvet headband paired with some of the best sunglasses we’ve seen this season.

Dame Helen Mirren is seen at the Martinez Hotel during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 08, 2021 in Cannes, France.

(Image credit: Arnold Jerocki/GC Images)

Though the velvet headband has been resurfacing this summer as a must-have accessory, it looks like Helen is also pushing for knotted headbands to make its much-deserved comeback. We recommend pairing them with your best summer dress or a classic denim jacket, to make a statement this summer.

Shop The Look 

Checkered Slim Knotted Headband, $65 (£47.10) | Lele Sadoughi 

Checkered Slim Knotted Headband, $65 (£47.10) | Lele Sadoughi 

Add some texture to your look with a printed headband that's sure to turn heads.

Knotted Performance Headband, $38 (£28.61) | Lele Sadoughi

Knotted Performance Headband, $38 (£28.61) | Lele Sadoughi

Accessorize your look with this simple headband next time you run errands. 


Black Padded Headband, $5.99 | Scunci

Black Padded Headband, $5.99 | Scunci

Bring volume to your hair with a classic padded headband. The velvet material will help bring some style and texture to almost any outfit.

Rylee Johnston

Rylee is a U.S. news writer who previously worked for woman&home and My Imperfect Life covering lifestyle, celebrity, and fashion news. Before joining woman&home and My Imperfect Life, Rylee studied journalism at Hofstra University where she explored her interests in world politics and magazine writing. From there, she dabbled in freelance writing covering fashion and beauty e-commerce for outlets such as the TODAY show, American Spa Magazine, First for Women, and Woman’s World.