Granny chic: why going grey may have a silver lining
- Grey hair is a full-fledged fashion trend, but do you have to be young and gorgeous to carry it off?
- Let’s make this a movement against the pressure to never age
I still can’t believe grey hair is in fashion. We are bombarded with messages telling us women must look young at all costs. Yet so-called granny chic has strengthened into a major trend over the past few years. L’Oreal named silver the hair colour of 2019. I’d love for this to be a movement against the pressure to never age, and the resulting plastification of women. But there’s a catch: you have to be gorgeous and tanned to pull it off, and preferably young. At least, that’s what the images on social media suggest.
Silver, ombre, pewter, mushroom, ash … the full spectrum of grey hair colouring has been popular with celebs since at least 2017. The full catalogue of possibilities has been displayed by Nicole Richie, Pink, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Cara Delevingne, Winnie Harlow, Rita Ora, Rihanna and others.
Long before them, there was British Vogue veteran Sarah Harris, who has famously had silver locks her entire career, after her first grey strands appeared in her teens. Harris, who is in her early 40s, also happens to be attractive, with great skin, a trim physique and exceptional style. Fifty-something Linda Fargo, a senior vice-president at Bergdorf Goodman, rocks a light grey bob. The unconventional look of model Kristen McMenamy, 54, who stopped dyeing her hair about 15 years ago, is an inspiration to the more avant garde. Rather than fighting the signifier of ageing, these women embraced the look and it worked for them.
Grey or white hair is caused by a reduction in melanin, or pigment, as you age. To some extent, it’s genetic, so the hair history of your parents might foretell your future. Although it is occasionally caused by health conditions, such as pernicious anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency or a thyroid disorder, everyone eventually goes grey. Get over it.
For non-“blondes” who have never dabbled in hair colour, going grey unnaturally takes time, money and regular upkeep. A colourist can run you through the options based on your hair. For anti-ageing coverage, you’ll hear about permanent colour versus balayage, highlights, etc. My greys proliferated at an alarming rate in my 40s. I resisted intervention for too long, disliked the hours in the chair, then loved the results. Grey is not my colour, apparently.