See the Greatest Scrunchies in Olympic History

By Marianne Mychaskiw / InStyle.com
August 18, 2016
Getty Images

This story originally appeared on instyle.com. 

Related: Chris Pratt on Braiding Wife Anna Faris's Hair, Playing a Cowboy, and Shopping Vintage​

Related: 6 Iconic '90s Characters We're Still Taking Fashion Cues from​

Related: Back to School Beauty Essentials for Every Grade Level​

All hail the mighty scrunchie! Whether worn in your middle school picture or ironically for a '90s throwback party, there's no denying its power, and the Olympic Games every few years only drive that point home. The scrunchie is a popular among the gymnastic and figure skating circles in particular, and with good reason—aside from keeping hair out of the way, it's easy to coordinate with both leotards and glitter-flecked skating costumes alike. We took a retrospective look at Olympic ceremonies of years past and rounded up the most-memorable scrunchies from 1976 to today. Scroll down to see the greatest scrunchie moments from the Olympic Games, spanning a timeline of almost 30 years.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Debbie Wilcox, 1976

ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

The very first scrunchie sighting at the Olympics was back in 1976, when U.S. gymnast Debbie Wilcox wore a massive white version to the Montreal event.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Kristi Yamaguchi, 1992

David Madison

At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, Yamaguchi complemented her metallic ensemble with a gold ribbon scrunchie.

3 of 8

Nancy Kerrigan, 1992

Getty Images

All white everything! A white scrunchie was the final element in Kerrigan's crisp, jewel-adorned skating uniform.

Advertisement

4 of 8

Tonya Harding, 1994

Getty Images

Harding tied off her French braid with a sizeable red scrunchie.

5 of 8

Nancy Kerrigan, 1994

Getty Images

At the '94 Games, Kerrigan complemented another all-white getup with a matching scrunchie.

6 of 8

Shannon Miller, 1996

Boston Globe via Getty Images

Though U.S. gymnast Shannon Miller wasn't pleased with her first vault, her white ruffled scrunchie was a total win.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Getty Images
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Popular in Attractions

All Topics in Attractions

Advertisement