Headband
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224652020
2008-07-09T20:38:53Z
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/* Managing hair */
{{refimprove|date=June 2006}}
{{redirect|Hairband|the genre of "hair bands"|Glam metal}}
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A '''headband''' is a [[fashion accessory|clothing accessory]] worn in the [[hair]] or around the [[forehead]], usually to hold hair away from the [[face]] or [[eye]]s. Headbands generally consist of a loop of [[Elastomer|elastic]] material or a [[horseshoe]]-shaped piece of flexible plastic or metal. They come in assorted shapes and sizes and are used for both practical and fashion purposes.
Horseshoe-shaped headbands are sometimes called '''Alice bands''' after the headbands that Alice is often depicted wearing in ''[[Through the Looking Glass]]''.
[[Image:Headband.PNG|right|thumb|A hard plastic headband, or Alice band]]
==Fashion==
Headbands were once almost universally an item of [[female]] clothing, but have recently become popular for men in some countries, due to a fashion for long hair. Alice bands for men have been worn by [[David Beckham]] and [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]].
During the 1980s, headbands were associated with [[rock and roll]] music, particularly with [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Olivia Newton-John]], and [[Mark Knopfler]].
In Japanese culture, [[hachimaki]] headbands may symbolise determination or devotion.
==Practical uses==
=== Sweat absorption ===
{{redirect6|Sweatband|the Bootsy Collins album|Sweat Band|the component of a hat|Sweatband (hat)}}
[[Image:Clothheadbands.PNG|right|thumb|Two cloth headbands]]
Headbands, or '''sweatbands''', are worn around the forehead during physical activity to absorb [[sweat]] and keep it from reaching the eyes. Sweatbands are often made of a continuous loop of [[terrycloth]], as it is a particularly absorbent fabric. Folded [[bandana]]s, usually knotted behind the head, also serve this purpose. These headbands are usually used for sports.
The sweatband was invented by Carl M. Tipograph. He holds the patent for the sweatband in both Canada and the United States. He realized the importance of providing an effective way to remove sweat from the head.
The sweatband gained a large part of its popularity during the 70's and 80's, when aerobics classes gained popularity. They, in large part, fell out of the "fashionable" catergory when the grunge era rose. However in the mid to late 2000s some aspects of the [[post hardcore]] subculture began to wear these again.
=== Cold protection ===
Some specialized headbands are designed to be worn covering the [[ear]]s, in order to protect them from cold temperatures and [[snow]]. These tend to be broader and of heavier fabric.
=== Head protection ===
The [[car headband]] is a conceptual protective headband for [[car]] occupants being investigated by the [[Centre for Automotive Safety Research]] (CASR), [[University of Adelaide]], Australia.
=== Managing hair ===
Headbands are regularly worn by sportsmen and women to keep hair out of their eyes, but there are also musicians who are known to wear it. In sports, famous users include [[David Beckham]], [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]]; in music, [[Little Steven]] and [[Guns N'Roses]] lead singer [[Axl Rose]] have made headbands their personal trademark.
Joe Jonas from [[Jonas Brothers]] is also known to wear headbands occasionally.
==External links==
*[http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip608.htm Headbands: Instant Hair Helpers For Long to Short Hair] by Karen Marie Shelton, revised 1 July 2006
[[Category:Headgear]]
[[Category:2000s fashion]]
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[[fr:Bandeau (coiffure)]]
[[ja:ヘアバンド]]
[[pt:Testeira]]
[[qu:Wincha]]
[[simple:Headband]]
[[sv:Hårband]]