Hair tie

A hair tie (also called a ponytail holder, hairkeeper, hair band, hair elastic, wrap around, gogo, or bobble) is a styling aid used to fasten hair, particularly long hair, away from areas such as the face. This is usually done as part of a hairstyle such as pigtails, bunches, or ponytails for straight, wavy, and loosely curled hair, and referred to as afro puffs, bunny tails, and "pineapples" for highly curled and highly textured natural hair. Two common types of hair tie are the scrunchie^[1] and the elastic. The term can also include a fixed tie or rubber band which is placed through or around strands to hold specific parts of hair together, rather than tie it or clasp them together like a hair clip.

Hair ties' elasticity and durability vary according to the material or materials from which they are made.

History

Hair ties have likely been in use for thousands of years. In the 18th century wigs used a "queue" or "tail", consisting of a leather strap or small bag, to hold the wig together and support it.^[2]^[3]

The early to mid 19th century and the modernization of the rubber industry^[4] allowed for use of rubber in clothing, which would ultimately include early elastic hair ties.^[2]

In the 20th century, hair ties became more modernized. Then in 1986, the scrunchie was invented by Rommy Revson and became a popular variation of the hair tie.^[5]

Other names for hair ties

Hair ties are known by numerous names. Among the more common are:^{[citation needed]}

Bands
Binder
Bobbin
Bobble
Bunchie
Chongo
Elastic band
Gogo
Hair band
Hair binder
Hair bow
Hair elastic
Hair elastic band
Hair holder
Hair knick knacks
Hair lacky
Hair toggle
Hair up
Liga
Nubby-doo
Ponytail holder
Ribbon
Rubber band
Scrunchie
Twistie
Hair twisty
Ponytail

References

^ Bindley, Katherine (20 March 2018). "Scrunchies, Scourge of the 1980s, Are Back". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
^ ^a ^b "The History of Hair Ties". Leaf. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ Lowery, A. (2013). Historical Wig Styling: Ancient Egypt to the 1830s. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 9780240821238. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ Slack, Charles (2002). Noble Obsession : Charles Goodyear, Thomas Hancock, and the Race to Unlock the Greatest Industrial Secret of the Nineteenth Century. Hyperion. ISBN 9780786867899. OCLC 49942707.
^ "The History of Hair Ties: When Were Hair Ties Invented?". Burlybands. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2024.