There are certain accessories designed for fashion: bucket hats, fancy cufflinks and puka shell necklaces. They tie your whole outfit together, make a statement and express your unique sense of style. But in terms of actual function? They don’t serve a totally obvious utilitarian purpose. Certain accessories, on the other hand, are for function: sunglasses for men, leather belts, shiny watches and men’s briefcases are all items you add to your wardrobe to fulfill a need. Many of them look good and have a fashion component, but the purpose of them is to block out something, store something, display or hold something up. A well-rounded wardrobe incorporates many pieces from either camp. However, there is one accessory that has a foot in both and should be donning your person from time to time: the stylish headband.
Headbands for men serve two distinct purposes: athletic headbands hold back longer hair for fitness, and stylish ones serve as a unique accessory in bold outfits. They make ones out of comfy, stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric and ones that perfectly compliment a casual, laid-back outfit. Along with the long hair/ trend has come a whole bunch of dudes with unruly locks that need a companion to keep them in line.
We’ve gathered our favorite stylish headbands for men in both categories so you can pick and choose the ones that are best for you, your lifestyle and your unique head of hair. Unlike watches, belts and other accessories- there tend to be more stylish headbands made for women than men, but the truth is men can wear women’s headbands just as easily, so I’ve included a few aimed at women below that I think are worth checking out.
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Stylish Headbands for Men
1. Metal Vent Tech Headband
BEST OVERALL
Lulu makes great athletic wear, and their headbands are high-performance and stylish at the same time. This one is designed for training and will keep the sweat out of your eyes during sweaty sessions in the gym, on the trails or at the park. The knit has a seamless construction in one singular tube that has four-way stretch and is designed to wick sweat away while you’re working. The headband also has Silverescent technology and is made with X-STATIC, two in-house materials at Lulu that keep odor-causing bacteria from growing on the headband.
2. Under Armour Adult Tie Headband
RUNNER UP
This tie-back stylish headband is designed for fitness and makes a hardcore statement in the gym, on the track or on the field. It’s made of breathable fabric that’s moisture-wicking and anti-odor, and it comes in a bunch of colors including this bright red. You tie it in the back of your head with a knot and the stretchable material is designed to stay in place throughout your training session. It’s about 3″ wide and is designed one-size-fits-all.
3. Lululemon Get In Line Headband
BEST THIN
Thin, elastic headbands are super useful in tying back unruly hair without being too bulky or constricting. These stylish headbands are super skinny and come in a two-pack from Lulu. They’re designed to stay in place while you’re moving and are adjustable so you can find the right fit. They come in a whole bunch of color combinations, including classic black and white.
4. poshei Men’s Headband 4-Pack
BEST PACK
This pack from Amazon is perfect if you’re looking for super affordable athletic headbands for men, and if you don’t care about labels or brand names. They’re made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, and are soft, stylish and comfortable to wear as well as sweat-wicking. They go on snug without the need to tie or fasten in the back and are lightweight as well. This pack comes with headbands of varying shades of black, grey and white, and they also make a set with blue and green options as well.
5. adidas Interval Reversible Headband
BEST REVERSIBLE
This stylish headband from adidas is the classic cotton design that’s more an homage to the retro workout headbands of the 80’s than modern sweat-wicking technology. It’s also reversible, and has both black and white sides depending on what you’re looking for. It’s made with adidas’ Aeroready moisture-wicking technology and the cotton terry material is absorbent as well. It also comes in a whole slew of colors, if you’d rather mix up the classic black and white look.
6. Nike Dri Fit Head Tie
QUALITY PICK
This tie back headband from Nike tows the line between stylish and functional well. It’s made with dri-fit fabric that wicks away sweat continuously throughout your workout so you stay comfortable and dry, and it’s made with high-quality material that’s soft to the touch. It has the signature Nike logo swooshed out front and has easy-to-head tie binding in the back so it stays on snug for a good fit.
7. OutdoorEssentials Tie Headbands
UNIQUE LOOK
These tie headbands work just as well at the gym as they do alongside a pirate costume, and we’re here for it. They’re great for keeping hair and sweat out of your face while you’re dominating on the basketball court, flowing through your 50th vinyasa during a yoga class or karate chopping someone sideways. These headbands are designed to stay on no matter what the action is and are soft but durable as well. They’re smooth, machine-washable and come in packs of three.
8. JUNK Brands Headbands
BEST FOR SPORTS FANS
JUNK Brands makes great headbands for athletic activity in a huge selection of colors, patterns and themes. One area in which they shine is sports logos, with branded headbands for every MLB team in the league. They’re all one-size-fits-most and white on the inside. They’re machine-washable, breathable and cool against the skin. The material they’re made of is designed to wick sweat from the skin and dry quickly as well.
9. XINGZHE Metal Hair Bands
BEST METAL
These metal headbands coil around your hair and plug it back into place using high-quality, rustproof metal that’s thick and malleable at the same time. These headbands are lightweight and stylish, stretchable and bouncy, and they’ve got plastic covers on either end so they won’t hurt your head while wearing them. They give the top of your head a textured, wavy look and lay down smooth as well so your hair will still look slicked back.
10. ASOS DESIGN Bandana
BEST BANDANA
This bandana is a great stylish headband for men because you can wear it in so many different ways. It can be rolled up into a traditional headband or simply folded in half like a standard bandana as well. It’s got a paisley print that’s decorative and monochromatic, and it’s self-tie so you can find just the right fit. It’s made of soft, lightweight cotton and comes in a whole bunch of colors, including navy pictured below.
11. The North Face Chizzler Headband Red
BEST FOR CHILLY DAYS
The 80’s ski chalet vibe of this headband is also a great cross between fashion and function, and the reversible design gives you options in how you wear it. It’s made of soft, cozy fabric and has a simple mountainous pattern on the front. It has The North Face logo embroidered inside and is ideal for skiing, snowboarding or cold days of all kinds.
12. Camila Paris Tortoise Shell Headband
BEST TORTOISE SHELL
You’ve probably worn tortoise shell sunglasses at some point, and this stylish headband sports the pattern in a way that’ll match brown and dirty blond hair really well. It’s designed to grip hair and pull it tight, and works with straight, curly and frizzy hair well. It forms a gentle secure grip that provides texture without disturbing too much flow and is made with sturdy cellulose so it won’t give way halfway through the day. The headband is flexible yet durable and comes with teeth that embed smoothly for a great hairstyle that gets every strand out of your face.
13. Prada Satin Headband
BEST STATEMENT PIECE
If you’re really looking to make a statement, this stylish satin Alice headband from Prada can be worn by anyone and look great. It’s got a wraparound design that sticks out and blends in, and frames your face while also giving your whole outfit a lift. It can pull back hair, but it’s really designed to sit on top of your head and polish of your look with a sophisticated accessory. It’s on the pricier side, but what else did you expect from a prominent designer headband?