A wedding hair accessory is the ideal complement to short hair - instantly elevating your daily hairstyle to an elegant bridal look. But what accessories are best suited to short hair? From pixie cuts and buzz cuts to bobs, I've been styling short haired brides for years - here's my expert guide:
Headbands
A headband is an easy no-fuss accessory for short hair - and that doesn’t have to mean a traditional Alice band style headpiece. A headband can be extremely slim with simple hand-beaded crystals or pearls, or more of a statement piece with a wider or padded band. You can also choose a headband with a jewelled area sitting off-centre, to one side, which is often known as a side tiara.
I’ve often customised my hand-wired hair vines and combs to sit on a headband for brides with short or fine hair and this can be ideal if you’re worried about not being able to keep a comb in your hair all day, or you’re not having a hair stylist and want an accessory you can simply lower onto your head and go and get married! If you would like to discuss a bespoke headpiece simply get in touch here.
Amy hair vine headband
Headbands work well with any length of short hair, from a super-short crop to a bob, and with sleek or textured waves or curls. A headband is also perfect for holding hair in place and can be worn alone or paired with a veil. Which brings me neatly onto my next recommendation!
Birdcage Veils
A birdcage veil is a timeless accessory that works beautifully with short hair and is ideal for a vintage or city chic bride. I have clip-on veils which can be worn with extremely short hair as well as headband veils which are extremely easy to wear and very on-trend right now. If you choose one of my clip-on birdcage veils you can pair it with a comb, side tiara, or a single jewelled hair pin so you have lots of options to personalise your veil. Birdcage veils are perfect for pixie cuts or chin-length bobs, as they accentuate the face and frame your hairstyle without overwhelming it.
Tiaras or Crowns
Circlets
A halo style headpiece is perfect for short and/or fine hair and is a great way of wearing a hand-wired hair vine style headpiece without having to worry about pinning it into position. Instead you simply lower the halo onto your head and you’re aisle-ready! My simple Haillie halo is a great way of rocking this unusual style and I’ve also customised this design by adding extra fronds to create unique headpieces for brides with short hair looking to wear a bespoke hair accessory. Most of my hand-wired ribbon tie headbands can be created as an easy-to-wear halo on request.
Hair Combs
Hair combs look great on short-haired brides and are ideal if your hair is thick and has a little length at the sides - ie not shaved - so the comb’s teeth don’t show through your hair.
If you’re worried about your comb slipping, all of my combs have metal teeth designed to work with kirby grips or bobby pins so they can firmly hold your comb in place.
I love a comb just above the ear with a pixie hair cut or bob and a comb can also work well nestled above a veil with short hair. If your hair is particularly fine, opt for a smaller comb with delicate detailing that won't be too heavy for your hair, like my Artemis headpiece.
Hair Pins
Hair pins are ideal for adding a bit of sparkle without overwhelming your hairstyle. You can scatter a few pins throughout your hair or cluster them together for more impact. Choose pins that complement your overall bridal theme, such as floral pins for a bohemian look or crystal pins for a touch of glamour. They’re also a great option for brides who want a subtle accessory that doesn’t detract from their dress or veil. As long as there is enough length in the hair to cover the pronged pin section this will work well short hair and can be pinned into place with a hair grip.
Hair Vines
Hair vines are flexible and can be shaped to fit any hairstyle, making them a wonderful choice for short hair. Hair vines can be positioned around the crown, across the forehead, in headband position or above one ear and are a really versatile choice for short hair. If your hair is really short you might want to choose a lighter hair vine - such as a piece from my Wild Love collection which is extremely lightweight and flexible and can easily be pinned into position with a couple of hair grips in even the shortest hair. If you have a little length and thick hair, such as a pixie cut or bob, you can go for a heavier-weight piece such as my Sydney hair vine.
Sydney hair vine
Tips for Choosing Accessories For Short Hair
- Consider Your Hair Texture: If your hair is fine, opt for lightweight accessories that won’t slip out. For thicker hair, you can experiment with bolder and heavier pieces.
- Match with Your Dress: Ensure your accessories complement your dress style as well as being suitable for your hair type and style.
- Consult Your Hairstylist: Before purchasing your accessories, talk to your hairstylist about how they can be incorporated into your hairstyle to ensure they're comfortable styling the headpiece you want to wear.
- Consult A Hair Accessory Designer: Don’t dismiss a style just because you think it won’t work with short hair. If you love a designer's style, talk to them. As an experienced bridal accessory designer I can advise you on the best way to wear a headpiece with your hairstyle and I can suggest ways to customise a design you love to work with your short hair.
- Trial Runs: Always do a trial run with your chosen accessories to make sure they stay secure and look great from all angles.
Why You Should Wear A Hair Accessory If You Have Short Hair
Short hair is a fantastic canvas for a wedding headpiece and the addition of a hair accessory will instantly transform your hair from your everyday look into something special. It will also make you feel like a bride and is a great alternative to a veil if you feel uncomfortable wearing a traditional long veil, or worry about the veil comb staying in place in short or fine hair.
Rosie botanical hair vine
Whether you opt for subtle hair pins, a statement headband or hair vine, or a vintage birdcage veil, the right accessory will elevate your bridal look and make you feel incredible.
Helpful Resources For Brides With Short Hair
- Tips and tricks to help you keep wedding accessories in short hair - hair combs, hair pins or hair vines can be a little tricky to secure in short hair, but I've got some tips and tricks up my sleeve to ensure you can wear these gorgeous wedding accessories even if you have cropped locks.
- Short hair-friendly wedding accessories to wear for your bridal style - from classic to boho, vintage to modern, take a look at my wedding headpiece suggestions for short hair, no matter what your style.