Following the 70s and early 80s, when hair was at its big hair, over-processed best-slash-worst, along came the Scrunchie to save the day.  The no-fuss hair accessory made it easier for the masses to have a fashionable look, minus the time-consumption and pain of previous hair ties and hairstyles.

The scrunchie was “invented” by Rommy Revson in 1994, according to the U.S. Patent & Trademark database, and they were originally spelled ‘Scunci.’ Basically, it was a cloth-covered hairband that’s worn around ponytails, hair buns and the like.  Scunci products are still on the market today, and the company continues to specialize in products meant to ease hairstyle woes with headbands and a variety of easy-to-use pins, clips and, you guessed it, scrunchies. 

Scrunchies were a great way to doll up a boring old pony tail, and certainly prevented some premature baldness for ladies who struggled with tangled hair.  Polka-dotted, floral, striped, bright colors: they were all in the scrunchie color palette, making it easy to find a scrunchie to fit your mood and style.  The scrunchie was a regular sight on heads in the late 80s and early 1990s, and pops up here and there in gardens or quick jaunts to the post office or grocery store. 

As much ridicule as the look might take now, let’s face it ladies, we’ve probably all worn one, and quite possibly have a box full of them in a closet or attic somewhere.