There’s no doubt about it: 2021 was the year of the claw clip. I feel like everywhere I went, regardless of the circumstances, I saw someone wearing a claw clip, whether it was a casual beach day or a nice dinner out. That’s the great thing about claw clips—these pretty hair accessories can be dressed up or down, and instantly add extra sophistication to any look, and they can often handle more hair than a traditional hair tie.
In 2022, we’re turning to a different hair accessory to help complete our looks—banana clips. A relic of the '80s, these clips resemble claw clips but are longer, skinnier, and made with the sole purpose of helping you achieve a more voluminous ponytail, sans extensions.
That’s right—banana clips are back in style and better than ever. As seen on TikTok, these clips are ultra-versatile and will help you fake the look of more hair instantly. Though they're not the most intuitive, plenty of TikTok tutorials exist to help you perfect the art of putting in banana clips. I polled my fellow Who What Wear editors to find out what banana clips they’re coveting this year—we’ll be adding these accessories to our strands ASAP.
Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor
"I love this trend so much I want everyone to know I'm wearing it. For that reason, I'll be wearing a banana clip that has statement pearls on it so it's never missed in my hair. This might be the exact accessory I needed to dress up my sweatpants on a day spent working from home."
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Caitie Schlisserman, Beauty Director, Branded Content
"When it comes to my very long hair, I'm as low-maintenance as it gets. Which is probably why I'm a sucker for a good hair accessory—it makes it seem like I put some effort in. Since my wardrobe consists of mostly neutral pieces, I like going big with my clips and this one is speaking to me. Who knows? It might even take the place of my check claw that I'm still obsessed with."
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Erin Jahns, Senior Beauty Editor
"I'm convinced using a banana clip is the smarter (not to mention, easier!) alternative to extensions and fake ponytails for mimicking the look of longer, fuller hair. There's not much I miss about my days when I had keratin bonded extensions, but I do miss how gloriously thick and bouncy my ponytails were. Banana clips actually create a similar illusion and they also make your style look significantly more elevated and put together. I'm eyeing this pretty twisty situation I found online at Walmart and plan to snap up every single color."
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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Audience Engagement Editor
"While most clips can't always hold up my extremely thick curly hair, I do love to add in clips for fun. It's a great way to add a little pizazz to my go-to hairstyles."
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Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor
I have extremely thick hair, and sometimes, a ponytail holder just doesn't let it cascade the way I want it to. Banana clips not only evenly distribute my hair, but they also make it look way longer than it is as I'm impatiently trying to grow it out. I love this one for a fun retro vibe—it seems like something someone on Saved By the Bell might wear, no?
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Other hair clips we're obsessed with right now:
This funky clip is the perfect finishing accessory to any outfit.
A Prada hair clip? Sign us up.
It's giving Warped Tour vibes in the best way.
This claw clip not only holds your hair in place, but it's also a fashionable accessory that will add a pop of color to any look.
It's definitely a splurge, but we would wear this Gucci hair clip with just about every outfit in our wardrobes.
Still looking for hair accessory inspiration? Check out Fashion Girls Keep Wearing This Super-'90s Hair Accessory, and I Have Questions
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