Fitness Fashion Find: the Women’s World Cup Skinny Headband

Move over Bumble and Bumble: The women’s World Cup soccer teams have kicked off the summer’s biggest hair trend: the skinny headband.

You’ll notice the slim, snug-fitting headbands worn across foreheads of forward Abby Wambach, goal-tender Amy Le Peilbet, midfielder Carli Lloyd, striker Alex Morgan, and many of the other members of the women’s U.S. soccer team. (Could good hair be a factor in Morgan's many Facebook marriage proposals?)

The headbands worn by the soccer players are a tad more fashion forward than the wider sweatbands popularized on the ‘70s tennis court. And less absorbent.

But preventing unruly locks from the charge of a fashion offside isn’t the soccer headband’s only purpose.

We’re speculating the slim hair-cinchers may offer a bit of protection from heading an on-coming soccer ball—versus the serious sting of a ball driving into your head via a sharp bobby pin or barrette. Ouch!!

Even if head-butting a ball isn’t in your summer plans, you can rock the slim headband at boot camp or at barre class for just a couple dollars. —Melisse Gelula

Goody ColourCollection Slip Proof Headbands are metallic and cute, $4, www.drugstore.com

Athleta Pilayo Sport Band comes in various colors and is adjustable, $8, www.athleta.gap.com