Hair like Jesus wore it, hallelujah I adore it
I used to be a print media hog. I subscribed to at least 30 magazines. The postman would give me the evil eye whenever I’d see him in our building lobby. I was the guy that made his sack heavy. Now, I’m just a data hog. I haven’t spent more than 2 minutes perusing a printed magazine in years, with one exception – the Bergdorf catalogue. Twice a year it arrives in our mailbox bringing with it the most beautiful clothing and fashion photography.
Yesterday the BG catalogue arrived and I lounged in bed luxuriating over its lush pages. As usual, the BG catalogue is right on trend. There are several I-can’t-live-without-this pieces and at least 3 dresses I’d like to see my female friends wearing. But, BG missed out on the most important trend in men’s fashion this season. HAIR.
There are few fashion trends that I can’t participate in and hair is the one I miss most. I started losing my hair in my early twenties. As a kid my hair was my crowning glory. Girls coveted my dark brown curls and my hairstylists always said, “Your hair is so beautiful. You should grow it out.” So, when I moved to New York in 1989 I decided to take the plunge. It was a last ditch effort to enjoy my glorious hair. By the spring of 1990, I had a man-pony on the top of my head similar to Pebbles in the Flintstones. By the fall of that year I had a thick shoulder length mane. With the breakup of a love affair in 1993, I buzzed it off and that was the end of my participation in hair trends.
Just the other day I was on line at Starbucks and there was a young man with his girlfriend in line just ahead of me. They were a chic Manhattan couple. She was wearing the ubiquitous Lululemon leggings and a oversized sweatshirt and beanie. He was sporting meggings under a pair of mesh shorts and a neoprene hoodie. Both were dressed in head to toe black. I couldn’t take my eyes off them – they were so beautiful! Suddenly, I realized that I was lusting for his hair. It was clear he was growing it out. The back of his head was shaved and on top he had the most lovely Pebbles ponytail. I was overcome by a deep feeling of loss – not for my youth, but for the loss of my hair. It is the ultimate fashion accessory.
>To all my young male friends I say, “Dude, lose the beard and grow your hair!” This is a trend you will want to participate in. When you are forty or fifty you won’t want to, or like me, won’t be able to give good hair.
This time around, I’ll just watch from the sidelines and cheer. As Treat Williams said in the 1979 blockbuster Hair, “Give me a head with hair. Long beautiful hair.”
Checkout a stunning Treat, as Berger and his luxurious hair in the original Hair trailer. Magnificent.
Culver McCall 