Following the trend of long braids and towering ponytails, a new accessory is emerging as a stylish alternative to the popular scrunchie: the metal hair elastic, known as the Pony Cuff. This accessory evokes the traditional rounded cuff bracelets, now reinvented for hair. With a mirrored finish in silver or gold, the metallic piece, exuding a chic brutalism, elevates the classic ponytail to a sophisticated hairstyle. Forget conventional hair elastics and unassuming clips; this shimmering accessory takes its place as a minimalist sculpture within your hair, adding an artistic touch to your look.
Unlike traditional hair ties or even the maximalist scrunchies seen in European summer, which are practical for both the gym and comfortable sleep, the Pony Cuff is far more fashion-forward than practical—worthy of being stored alongside your jewelry. There are numerous ways to wear Pony Cuffs, and it’s common to see more than one in a single hairstyle. An example is the high ponytail, seen on Livia at the Vanity Fair Oscars party this year and Nara Smith at New York Fashion Week, or the use of multiple cuffs distributed throughout the hair to create a bubble ponytail, a trending hairstyle. This accessory isn’t just making waves on social media and red carpets, but has also graced the hairstyles created by renowned hairstylist Guido Palau. During the Khaite show at New York Fashion Week, he presented a version of the Pony Cuff with a less rounded design and more organic shapes.
