How a $50 sewing machine birthed a fashion icon
In short: Born from a desire to protect hair from harsh metal ties, the scrunchie evolved from a simple household invention into a global cultural symbol. From 1980s celebrity status to a high-fashion runway resurgence, this fabric-covered elastic has navigated decades of fame, mockery, and reinvention.
The origins of the modern scrunchie trace back to Rommy Hunt Revson, a former house sitter in the Hamptons. Motivated by a need for a gentler alternative to damaging metal hair ties, Revson purchased a $50 sewing machine and developed her first prototype within weeks. Inspired by the elastic waistband of her sweatpants, she originally named the accessory 'Scunci' after her pet toy poodle. While Revson secured her patent in 1987, her journey was marked by significant legal battles with lawyers and manufacturers.
The accessory's popularity peaked during the 1980s and 1990s, fueled by its ability to complement the era's voluminous hairstyles. It became a staple for icons like Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Sarah Jessica Parker, and even appeared in cinematic moments, such as the power shifts in the film Heathers. The era was so defined by the trend that female astronauts even utilized them to secure their hair during space missions.
However, the fashion cycle brought a period of intense disdain. In the early 2000s, the scrunchie became a perceived fashion faux pas, famously mocked by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. This led to a decade of negative sentiment until a late 2010s resurgence. Driven by nostalgia and a renewed focus on hair health—specifically for curly or coarse textures—the scrunchie returned to runways at New York Fashion Week and even reached luxury heights, with Balenciaga offering an XXL silk version for $275.
Today, the term 'scrunchie' has become a genericized trademark, though the original brand Scünci is owned by Conair. The accessory continues to permeate Gen Z culture through the 'VSCO girl' aesthetic on TikTok and remains a functional tool for preventing hair dents and protecting fragile, wet strands.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Scrunchie
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