This summer, we’ll be hanging up our pillbox hats and balaclavas in favor of handkerchief headscarves.

Now this trend is hardly new or unexpected. Throughout the winter, we’ve been tying cashmere triangle scarves around our faces to ward off the cold. And before that? The silk scarf reigned as fall’s it-accessory. But each new season breathes fresh life into the silhouette, and style icons like Hailey Bieber are pivoting to a more cottagecore-inspired take on the accessory. Instead of the Hermès-pioneered, silky smooth square you’re used to seeing, lacey iterations, crochet bandanas, and delicately embroidered cotton scarves (linked is the exact option worn by Hailey Bieber) are sweeping into its place. It seems we haven’t seen the last of the tradwife aesthetic after all. But whether you’re drawn to the off-the-grid lifestyle with its crisp white aprons or not, you won’t be able to ignore a trend that’s plowing ahead at full speed.

The style can be traced back to two origins, but like all things in fashion, they’re intricately intertwined as the crochet stitch itself. The general aesthetic of the care-free, boho chic woman, with all its lacey hemlines and sheer garments, is certainly a creation of Chloé. However, we have the showgoers at Copenhagen Fashion Week to thank for the rise of the actual knit caps and headscarves. They were frequently spotted wearing the accessory that has since infiltrated today’s trend cycle. CPHFW may be one of the smaller, newer stops on the fashion calendar, but its impact is rapidly taking over as one of the most influential. It’s a city unbound by century-old, stuffy style codes, making the whimsical head accessory feel characteristically on-brand and delightfully freeing.

Mrs. Bieber kept her hair neatly tucked beneath her headscarf, but the same accessory can be tied around the waist, too. It’s a styling technique we’ve seen applied with its silky sister over the past year. Or, double down by wrapping one around the head and the other around the hips — just make sure to use two opposing materials. Bieber wasn’t the only adopter of the trend. Guests attending the Spring/Summer 2026 shows from New York to Berlin were photographed donning white lace headscarves and hand-knit wool bandanas on the sizzling summer streets, hinting at what to expect for the upcoming year.

Fashion’s fascination with all things sheer, lace, and organza makes the handkerchief scarf feel like a timely addition to your top drawer. Even the most recent fall/winter 2026 shows indicate that the barely-there material will be worn well into the cooler months. But let’s be real: Crochet and lace add a much-desired breathable touch to your summer outfits. An air of openness, if you will. During a season least known for its layering potential, a breathable accessory that adds dimension and visual flair without turning you into a freshly-baked lasagna will certainly win you style points. Not to mention, I’ve never seen a more editorial way of concealing an oily hair day.

A lace bandana gives your look a focal point, keeps hair out of your face, and invites a breeze to your neck. And when you’re sipping Aperols in Positano, feeling the sun leave a trace of rosy kisses on your cheeks, a crochet headscarf with an open-back dress will have you feeling every bit the “bella” hollered in your direction.