What does bandeaux mean?
Bandeaux are bands — most commonly narrow strips of fabric worn around the head as a stylish alternative to a conventional headband, or short strapless garments that wrap around the bust like a tube top. The word is the French-derived plural of 'bandeau', which itself means a small band, and it entered English through fashion vocabulary. Headwear bandeaux range from simple elastic strips to elaborate pearl- or jewel-studded pieces popular in bridal styling, while bandeau tops became a staple of casual summer wear and swimwear in the twentieth century. Because the word carries an unmistakably chic, continental connotation, it appears frequently in fashion writing and product descriptions. Note that in everyday speech many people simply use 'bandeau' for both singular and plural forms.
nounA bandeaux is the plural of 'bandeau': a narrow band or strip of fabric worn around the head as a hairband or headband, or a short strapless top resembling a band that covers the bust.
- A narrow band worn around the head to hold hair in place.
- A short strapless band-shaped garment covering the bust.
"She swept her hair back with a satin bandeaux for the evening gala."
"Her bridal veil was attached to a delicate pearl-studded bandeaux."
"He wore a sweatband-style bandeaux to keep his hair off his forehead during the match."
Standard plural follows the French convention of adding -x rather than -s.
"The boutique displayed silk bandeaux in a dozen pastel shades."
The word 'bandeaux' looks French and plural because it literally is — it's the plural of the French 'bandeau', meaning a little band.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bandeaux
Bandeaux comes from the French 'bandeau', meaning a small band or strip, which derives from 'bande' ('band' or 'strip'), ultimately tracing back through Old French to a Germanic root also reflected in English 'band'. The word was borrowed into English in the eighteenth century alongside other French fashion terminology. Its cousins include 'band', 'abandon', and 'contraband', all of which pass through the same Romance-language family of words built around the notion of binding or strapping.
Related word forms
How bandeaux is actually used
In modern usage 'bandeau' is often used as both singular and plural in fashion contexts, though 'bandeaux' remains the standard plural. The headwear sense is more common in British English; the strapless-top sense dominates American fashion vocabulary.
Easily confused with bandeaux
A bandage is a strip of material used to bind or dress a wound, whereas a bandeau is a decorative band worn on the head or as clothing.