Feathers in the hair? I was born and raised alongside roosters and hens, chasing them across the barnyard on my daddy”s farm in rural Mississippi, and to tell the truth, never once thought of chicken feathers as a hair accessory.
Nope, not once, but the latest bohemian, chic trend has all the world clucking. It”s called “hair feathering” and can be found threaded into bobs, bangs and even prom bouffants. The colors are as vibrant as a peacock, the male variety. Come to think of it, there very well might be a peacock somewhere with a bald spot or two, in shades that run the full gamut. So, whatever suits your fancy, whether it”s classic feathers in natural hues of brown, grey and cream, or more fashion-forward shades of blue, purple and neon pink, you are bound to go cuckoo over feathers this year.
I get it. It”s whimsical and exotic just like most of the birds that are flittering across basins of water in my backyard — beautiful, unspoiled. I reckon it”s just a stretch for my mind to go from the innocence of God”s chirping creations clothed in nature”s own fabric to the trendiest feathered toddlers and teenagers enjoying the malls, movie theaters and swimming parties of 2011.
Perhaps I”m just a bit old-fashioned, thinking feathers belong on fishing gear, feather boas and the occasional Easter hat instead of sewn into blondes, brunettes and redheads … but what the heck do I know?
I know that Steven Tyler has been sporting feathers in his rock-n-roll mane on American Idol this season, and all the world is aflutter with feathers dressed up in ponytails or dressed down underneath side parts. Peacock feathers are tucked behind one ear, roosting on top of shags and, yes, even perched on the heads of a few of my friends.
Salons all over are offering these services that usually take only about 10 minutes to thread into the hair, with a price tag of $45 and up for a cluster of feathers that can be shampooed and styled to blend in or stand out in straight or naturally curly hairstyles. I guess all birds of a feather need not flock together … because a poll I recently did on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ beautifulwithdavid) had folks of all ages chirping about their adoration of feathers as a hair accessory this season, even though I am just a bit too traditional to bring myself to offer this hot new option in my own salon.
Ah, shucks, when it comes to being beautiful, spread your wings — or should I say feathers — but just know when I see you out and about that I”m going to be reminded of my backyard songbirds or childhood barnyard roosters. To each, her own!
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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