Hip Hair Pieces: Where to Find Accessories for Your Head

It started with the headband, and then evolved to the thin strips of leather, cloth or whatever other material a creative could person could find to tie around their heads in a nod to their innermost hippie. However, more and more designers are taking the trend to a new level with full on hair pieces, feathered headbands and other hair adornments.

If you are daring enough to take this trend up, look into some of these designers for custom pieces that will have all heads turned in your direction.

If you are a headband gal, try Pluma Headbands. This is a New York-based business that skillfully uses pheasant feathers to turn them into beautiful hair accessories attached to a traditional headband. The feathers span about five inches and are placed on the side of the headband, so it's not so huge as to cause a commotion and make you look like a bird.

Instead, it's done in a subtle way that would evoke just enough curiosity from anyone passing by.

There are several different styles to choose from. If you are going for a more natural, muted look, try the Kathryn or Lucy styles which are done using muted browns and blacks. The Lily uses feathers specked white.

If you are going for a more loud approach to wearing this trend, try the Jessica, which mixes greens and blacks in the feathers used or the Kit, with feathers in the royal purple color family. The headbands are affordable at $48 - consider the fact that they're handmade. (However, if you're more of the pragmatic type, you can always go to the local craft store and create a similar look, albeit you won't find feathers like the ones used on Pluma Headbands.)

Poppy and Quail Headbands follow in the same vein, but also incorporate leather scraps, deerskin, chains and stones alongside feathers. Some of the pieces lend themselves to being a bit weightier and have a more thrown together look that would be the result of any project where you're putting together a bunch of found objects.

If you want a more costume-like look, go no further than Littledoe Headpieces. These pieces have more of a Native American feel and are on the dramatic side. If you're staging a photo shoot, this may be just what you are looking for.

If you are walking down the street, or buying some groceries, the look is not subtle.

However, the craftsmanship is admirable. Littledoe mixes antique materials, including silk flowers and velvet or satin ribbons. Pieces are made to order and can only be purchased custom in the price range of $250 to $400. This is pricey for something you couldn't possibly wear on a casual day to the office or to the shopping mall, but dare to dream.

Laura Kranitz Accessories also does similarly dramatic headgear, which are pegged as "hats." There is nothing subtle about these hats as they veer towards the dramatic. You would definitely need to have an occasion in mind before buying one of these.

If you happen to visit Laura Kranitz's web site, also make sure you check out her interesting jewelry pieces that weave silk through beads.