Scrunchies!

These, I suppose, are the height (depth?) of anti-fashion.

I was wearing scrunchies in the 1980's. I still have quite a few, although my Thai scrunchies died (these were nice, black with a gold metallic print).

The bright green scrunchie (upper right-hand corner) is a survivor of those days. I had a red one and a yellow one from the same set (cotton, made in Greece) from Pier One. Back when Pier One deigned to sell such things.

Scrunchies from various sources.

Velveteen scrunchies (clockwise from top: red, black and purple) cost more but look better.

Cheap old Target scrunchies still offer the most bang for your buck. You can get a six-pack of cotton ones, made in Thailand, in some really nice colors, for a few dollars.

The dark blue and dark red ones on the left, and the four pastel ones at the bottom, all came from Target six-pack scrunchies.

What do you do with a scrunchie? My first impression of the little elastic things occurred while I was riding a Muni bus in San Francisco. The woman in the seat ahead of me was doing one of those scrunchie buns. I was fascinated. Imagine being able to do your hair on a bus.

Heretofore, doing your hair had meant hairpins, mirrors, eminent skill... I had the hairpins and the mirror.

Plus, scrunchies hold hair no matter how fine, thin, or slippery it is.

Matching scrunchies to outfits. That entails an attention to detail that I simply don't possess. I do try to get something compatible though.

Wearing scrunchies on your wrists. This is likely where the idea of scrunchies = anti-fashion originated. It's been known to happen. You take your scrunchie off for some reason. Is there a better place to stash it? Likewise, you can "bracelet" your scrunchie until you have the time to put it on.

The future of the scrunchie. I highly suspect that the oft-maligned scrunchie is here to stay. Like wash 'n' wear hair, leaving the house with wet hair, the thong, and red lipstick, scrunchies defy the fashion pundits.