As much as I totally loved all the bows on the S/S 10 runways, I’m starting to feel a little wary about how well I can really pull one off.

Our intern Steff came in today wearing the cutest big black bow headband and all I could think was that I might look totally ridiculous in something like that. She looks more than adorable (And yes, I’m a little jealous of how well she can pull it off!)

Enter this inexpensive headband/zipper bow I just found over on Fred Flare. It’s subtle, sweet (but not too sweet, thanks to the gold zipper detailing) and on trend enough for those of us not ready to make a big old bow statement.

Perfect.

Louise Ebel, 24, Blogger

Got her: Having a bite on the Quai Malaquais, pre-Rick.

Stalked her: Have you seen her hair? Her headband? (ed. note. And just when we’d rejoiced in Dan throwing Blair’s down the stairs?) Her boots? The purse?

Shot her: Because she’s incorporated too many major trends. And yet, she fails to look like a fashion victim.

She said: “I love my headband, it’s by my friend, Madame Sal.”

We said: There’s a reason you’re the most photographed girl in Paris.

—REBECCA SUHRAWARDI AUSTIN

Little J may have outlawed headbands on the final episode of Gossip Girl, but we’ve decided her decree applies to just the most Blair Waldorf-like bows.

Mostly because we’re obsessed with the Jennifer Behr rope head wrap on Rose Cordero in this month’s Teen Vogue.

But at $248, it’s a bit outside our accessory budget. So we decided to make our own.

YOU’LL NEED:
-1.5-2 yards of rope
-A thin, plastic headband
-Superglue
-Optional: tea

STEPS:

1. If you’d like your rope to look a little weathered, dip it into a cup of black tea that you’ve let steep until the color’s what you’d prefer. Let dry overnight.

Maybe it’s because I’ve just returned from a long weekend in the country, or maybe it’s because I’m particularly eagle-eyed when it comes to hair, but did anyone else notice last night’s prime time hair switch?

First, I watched Blair Waldorf help save a young girl from 1 Oak sporting a side braid more reminiscent of Lauren Conrad’s cool-California girl style than her usual UES stiff. And that was funny and fine.

But then I noticed Lauren Conrad sporting a black headband (and was that a bow on it? Tilted to the side?) more reminiscent of Blair Waldorf’s uppity signature look, which always makes me think of Shannon Doherty in Heathers.

An intentional Monday night hair swap? Or an East Coast / West Coast hip-hair rivalry?

You know we doubt it’s either, but it’s just so fun to say shit like that.

Madeline, Trend Forecaster, friend of headband maker.

Got Her: In Picadilly Circus.

Stalked Her: Well, she was going to London Fashion Week’s On/Off party and we were going to Temperley’s Bungalow 8 bash, so we had to meet her now.

Shot Her: Because we loved her headband. And her skirt. And her lipstick. And her socks. And her necklace.

She Says: “Isn’t the headband great? My friend made it, she’s just about to launch a line. I’m a trend forecaster, so I just sort of keep my eyes open at all times.”

We Say: Just don’t get forecaster hair…

We love when we can look at something and know exactly where the inspiration came from, especially when we know it has something to do with Blair.

The first major example happened when pictures of Luella’s new accessories range were first out. Then we saw these Blair bow earrings on Fred Flare. (These are just two examples among many, by the way.)

And now, Marc Jacobs is cashing in on the look with his range of Faux Bow accessories.

We know these designers (and so many more) are inspired by the GG character the way sixth-grade girls were inspired by Cher (raise your hand if you tried to convince your mom to buy you thigh-highs), but they sometimes miss the mark - plastic? She would never.

Marc’s come the closest so far - a $70 barrette seems right up her alley. But tortoiseshell? Please.

“Headbands…what a tough accessory. When they are right, they are really right and when they are wrong you’re Loverboy.” - The Sartorialist, on Blair Waldorf’s preferred hair ornament

I was having lunch with my friend Kristina, fellow FIT student and shop girl extraordinaire, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her Wohl-worthy headband.

Not quite as structured as Blair’s, but a little less lounging-in-capri than a headscarf, it seemed like a great way to hold back last season’s bangs that you’re desperately trying to grow out before summer.

And the best part? Like a true Teen Vogue subscriber, she made it herself.

Here’s how…

—BRETT KANE

To: Natalie@Fashionista.com

From: ILoveBags@OrangeBoxes.com

Just saw Serena, Chuck, Nate, Eric, Lily, Bart, and Queen B at the Palace for Lily and Barts’s wedding!

Queen B was wearing a hot pink floral dress and a hot pink headband and flats.

No Jenny or Dan - significant?

Even stranger: Lily wasn’t wearing a wedding dress, but Bart was in his tux. Weird wedding.

xoxoB

Thanks for the spot - you might like this, too, though we don’t know how much of a surprise it is…

The headbands are coming! The headbands are coming! Clockwise from left: Arden Wohl, backstage at Marc by Marc, Rachel Clark at Erin Fetherston, Jessica Stam at Anna Sui.

See also: Lauren Conrad, the most “influential” girl in fashion (giggle, but we get it).