Return of the .... scrunchie!?!
Let's travel down memory lane: Remember acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads, teased bangs?
Who wasn't secretly glad when all were declared down for the count? Really, the only fashion relic worth mourning from that period was the humble, yet oh-so-practical scrunchie.
Now remember those movies about the freaky Chucky doll? Friday the 13th? You know where I'm going here: They're BAACCK...
The fashion gods are once again smiling on acid-washed jeans. Square shoulders are a runway rage. And while I pray that no one will feel nostalgic for AquaNet, there's a movement afoot to bring back the little fabric loop that practically ended Carrie's relationship with Berger in Sex and the City.
Yep, the scrunchie is staging a come-back.
I spotted them by the bin (see above photo as evidence) at American Apparel, the everything's-a-tee shop that's still too cool for Tampa Bay. (It was high on my must-visit list during a recent vacation jaunt to Boston's Newberry Street, which has more to offer a fashion-phile than anything behind the pearly gates.)
The sales clerk told me that some customers are buying scrunchies to match the store's colorful leggings and other funky outfits. As in, they are wearing them out in public!!!
So rejoice, my fellow scrunchie-wearers in hiding. Don't pretend you're too good for a passe trend. We've all bought drug-store scrunchies -- in retched shades of black and brown -- because, let's face it, nothing does a better job of protecting against bedhead.
Come out of the closet now, if you dare. The scrunchie is again allowed to see the light of day. That is, if you believe in reliving the glory of acid-washed jeans, shoulder pads, and all the funky 80s/90s colors back on the scene. If not, you'll remember this too: Just say no.
You make the call: Yea or nay on the (public) return of the scrunchie?
~ Deal Diva Letitia
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or 
Since she was a little girl Nicole Hutcheson dreamed of dressing like a Vogue cover girl. But her reality was more JCPenney catalog. The fact only honed her better ability to find luxury for less. Always on the hunt for markdowns on designer labels, this Deal Diva’s weaknesses are good jeans and killer heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8828 or 
Colleen Jenkins learned two invaluable shopping tenets from her mom: 1. Buy quality. 2. Get it on sale. Then she added one of her own: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! This Deal Diva’s idea of a blissful Saturday includes a trip to the Ellenton outlet mall. She loves mixing classic with trendy and cheap Target accessories with her markdown Banana Republic duds. She can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
I'm counting four nays and three yays on the return of the scrunchie. Still too close to call, in my book. Any other lovers or haters out there?
Posted by: Deal Diva Letitia | July 14, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I love my scrunchies!!!! I have them in several colors. They are lifesvers when it comes to having long thick hair and living in FL.
Posted by: meredith | July 14, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Still have some...a red, a navy, and a gray...they are great for anytime I need my hair up and out of the way! Love them and so glad I'll be able to replenish my supply and once again use them in public.
Posted by: JEG in Oldsmar | July 14, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Sorry, am going to have to disagree - I love the scrunchie! As someone that has long, straight, thin hair - and lives in this FL humidity, they are livesavers! Also, they protect the hair from breaks unlike 'unclothed' rubber bands.
Posted by: M | July 14, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Never. Never, ever, ever.
Posted by: Deal Diva Colleen | July 13, 2009 at 02:04 PM
The scrunchy phase of my life is behind me. Forever. It's metaphorically buried alongside my tevas, umbros, tie-dyed tshirts from summer camp, and braces with colored rubber bands.
Posted by: illiterategirl | July 13, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Yikes, I remember when wearing them on your wrist to match your outfit was cool (which is evident in most of my middle school pictures) but I could never go back to wearing scrunchies.
Posted by: Amanda | July 13, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I just died a little.
Posted by: Stephanie Hayes | July 13, 2009 at 08:02 AM