Wrap stars: the secret to the Lionesses’ hair-raising style

Resourceful yet chic, England’s female footballers are using an inexpensive hack to stay cool and stylish

Chloe Kelly will be remembered for many significant moments at 2025’s Euros: a last-minute goal keeping England in the tournament, a signature penalty move and shin pads that featured an image of her wedding day. She is also part of a wider style trend in women’s football: the use of pre-wrap, the tape designed to protect skin and secure athletic bandages, repurposed as a headband.

If ponytails featured in the conversation at the previous Euros, this is a new addition. In the semi-final against Italy, Kelly wore a ponytail and a wide headband made of blue pre-wrap. Her teammate Lucy Bronze wore the tape as a thinner white headband, with her hair in a bun. Other players for Germany, Spain and Italy have also worn the pre-wrap to secure their hair.