A Love Letter To Famous Fringes

There are obviously the classics: the vintage beauties of the past like Bettie Page, Audrey Hepburn and Clara Bow. They could command the room with just a swing of their hips or a hint of a smile on their sultry lips. And they knew it.

And then came the women of the ’60s, ‘70s and ’80s. They enjoyed a new set of rules that came with the sexual revolution. A new kind of freedom in embracing sex appeal and edginess. But they held on to a trend that proved timeless: the fringe. Women like Brigitte Bardot, Farrah Fawcett and Suzanne Somers knew how to perfectly accent a sexy stare and a bedhead, playful hairstyle. Simply with an eyebrow gazing bang.

Then a young Mariah Carey of the ’90s with her defined ringlets.

And Britney Spears with her wispy, youthful fringe in ‘(Hit Me) Baby One More Time’.

And then in celebration of ushering in a new millennium and era, a more sleek, chic fringe became the ultimate look. Think Katie Holmes’ shocking cut complete with a sexy, framing fringe. And of course, Zooey Deschanel’s signature, straight bangs with enough fierceness to rival the reigning queen of fringe herself, Anna Wintour.

Bangs have even made a splash in the political scene by grazing the foreheads of Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama alike. And you have to admit, the First Lady rocks a fringe like nobody can.

Classic. Sophisticated. Fashionable. Sassy. Chic. They may evolve and change over time as fashion evolves and changes, but the statement always stays the same. A woman with a fringe is sexy and playful. She is sophisticated and thrilling. She is confident and grounded. She is impossibly modern and classically beautiful in the same moment.

No other look in fashion can evoke such an image. No other hairstyle can bring out every element of a woman for the world to see in a raw and glamorous way. But bangs do. A fringe will.

So here’s to bangs this Valentine’s Day. To the famous fringes of the past that have inspired boldness and creativity. To the styles that have proven a woman can wear her hair in an unconventional way that’s still sexy and feminine. And to the modern bangs of Michelle Obama and Zooey Deschanel. Styles may change and trends may fade, but the option that allows us ladies to look impossibly chic in an effortless way is not going anywhere. And thank the fashion gods for that.

So, I’ve got to ask, Gigglers… who wears your favorite fringe? Have you tried rocking bangs yet? Do you love them as much as I do?

Images Via ShutterStock & Tumblr