How to Style a Headband with a Snood: Easy Ways to Dress It Up
A snood is the easiest head covering I own. It goes on in seconds and stays put all day. The one thing it isn't, on its own, is fancy. That's where a headband comes in. One small band can make a plain snood look ready for Shabbos, a wedding or a night out.
Here's how I pick a headband for my snood and how I wear it so it looks pretty and stays comfortable.
Why a headband works so well with a snood
A snood covers everything, so the front edge is the only "frame" around your face. A headband sits right on that edge and gives it shape and a little height. It also hides the seam where the snood meets your forehead and helps keep the snood from sliding back.
The best part is that one snood can go from errands to a simcha just by switching the band.
Headbands that look best with a snood
Not every headband sits nicely over fabric. These are the styles I reach for again and again.
- Velvet headbands. My favorite for fall and winter. Velvet looks rich, grips the snood so it doesn't slip, and comes in deep colors like burgundy, navy, forest green and black. It pairs beautifully with a velvet dress or velvet skirt.
- Knotted or padded headbands. A top knot or a slightly padded band adds height, which flatters most faces and makes a flat snood look fuller.
- Pearl headbands. Elegant and soft. A row of pearls over a cream, blush or black snood is perfect for Shabbos. My pearls guide has ideas for matching them with earrings and necklaces.
- Satin headbands. Smooth and a little shiny, lovely with a satin skirt or a silk blouse.
- Jeweled or embellished headbands. Best saved for simchas and evening events. Let the band be the sparkle and keep the rest of your jewelry simple.
- Thin metal or braided bands. Quiet and minimal, good for work or when you want just a little polish.
A headband with soft fabric or a lined underside is usually more comfortable over a snood than a hard plastic band with teeth.
Where to place it
Placement changes the whole look, so try a few spots in the mirror.
- Classic placement. Set the band about an inch or two back from the front edge of the snood. It looks neat and natural.
- Forward placement. Push it closer to the edge for a more framed, dressy look. This works well with knotted and padded bands.
- Higher on the head. Moving the band further back gives a softer, more relaxed shape.
Put the snood on first and smooth it, then slide the headband on from the back, ending at the spot you want. If your snood tends to slip, a few bobby pins or a velvet grip band underneath helps.
Matching the headband to your outfit
The headband is a small accent, so it's a great place to pick up a color from your outfit.
- Match the snood, change the texture. A black velvet band on a black jersey snood is subtle but still dressier.
- Match your clothes. Pull a color from your skirt, sweater or shoes. A burgundy band with a burgundy skirt ties the whole look together.
- Match your jewelry. A gold or pearl band looks polished with gold earrings or pearl studs.
- Neutral snood, colorful band. A camel or cream snood with a blush, terracotta or forest green band is an easy way to add color.
If you're wearing a patterned snood, keep the headband solid. My guide on how to match a headscarf to your outfit has more on mixing prints and solids, and winter color combinations is full of pairings.
Match the dressiness
The headband and snood should be about as dressed up as the rest of you.
- Weekdays: a jersey or knit snood with a thin fabric or knotted band in a neutral.
- Shabbos: a velvet, satin or dressier snood with a velvet or pearl band.
- Simchas and evenings: a velvet or satin snood with a jeweled, pearl or padded velvet band.
Outfit ideas
### Everyday
A grey jersey snood with a camel knotted headband, a cable-knit sweater, a long denim skirt and ankle boots. Comfortable, but still put together.
### Shabbos
A black velvet snood with a pearl headband, a cream blouse, a long burgundy velvet skirt, pearl studs and low heels. More ideas in Shabbos and Yom Tov outfit ideas.
### Winter wedding
A navy or black satin snood with a jeweled headband, a long-sleeve velvet or satin dress and a simple clutch. See my modest winter wedding guest outfits for full looks.
### Holiday party
A blush snood with a padded velvet band in a deeper berry shade, a cream sweater and a sequin skirt. Festive without being too much.
### Motzei Shabbos
A soft knit snood with a thin velvet band, a turtleneck and a long skirt under a warm coat. More easy looks in modest Motzei Shabbos outfits.
Comfort tips
- Try it on for an hour first. A headband that feels fine at first can pinch by the end of a long simcha. Wear it around the house before a big event.
- Choose a wider band if narrow ones dig in. A wider band spreads the pressure.
- Stretch a tight band gently over a large bowl or a few books overnight.
- Skip the teeth. Combs or teeth can snag snood fabric, especially velvet and satin.
Caring for your headbands
Store headbands flat or on a hanger so padded ones keep their shape. Brush velvet bands gently with a soft brush to lift the pile, and keep jeweled bands in a pouch so the stones don't catch on other things.
FAQ
### Can you wear a headband with a snood?
Yes. A headband over a snood frames your face, adds a little height and makes a simple snood look dressier. It can also help keep the snood in place.
### What kind of headband looks best over a snood?
Velvet, knotted or padded, pearl and satin headbands all look great. Fabric-covered bands are usually more comfortable than hard plastic ones with teeth.
### How do I stop my snood and headband from slipping?
Wear a velvet grip band or a few bobby pins under the snood, and choose a velvet headband, which holds onto fabric better than smooth plastic or metal.
### Should my headband match my snood?
It doesn't have to. You can match the snood in a different texture, pick up a color from your outfit or jewelry, or add a pop of color to a neutral snood.
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