The New York Times just had a trend piece on the return of bangs. (But didn't that happen last year?) The story talks about how getting bangs—or fringe, as our English friends say—is a big step. I was happy to see a mention of singer Cat Power, whose Birkin-esque bangs have become her signature look.
The odd thing about the story, though, is this somewhat puzzling quotation:
“It’s the grass-is-always-greener haircut,” said Jessica Vitkus of Manhattan, a producer at Public Radio International, who opts for a shaggy Loretta Swit-type fringe. “The shorter bangs are too cutesy,” she said. “I don’t think you can name one woman who has those blunt bangs who is taken seriously in a professional setting.”
I'm surprised by this opinion, as I've worked with completely competent women who have bangs, and their hairstyle never made me think, "Oh, that Cecilia is a joker, showing off those blunt bangs." I mean, it's not like bangs look like a Bozo the Clown wig. What do you think?
CAFe'NOIR
3.1 Phillip Lim
Twenty8Twelve
Doesn't Anna Wintour have bangs? I'd say people take her pretty seriously! What about a woman who just has a short/pixie haircut? those usually involve some kind of bangs.
1Kris beat me to the punch with pointing out Anna Wintour, she is just one example of many powerful women, including Carolyn Kepcher (Trump's former employee), Martha Stewart... man I could go on all day. What a random comment!
2thats so weird and ridicluous!
3THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD! I WORK IN A CORPORATE OFFICE AND HAVE HAD BANGS FOR YEARS.
To: Jessica Vitkus of Manhattan, a producer at Public Radio International
From: Amethyst
You're an idiot for making that generalization.
4HOGWASH!
5Depends on the woman and the hairstyle. For example the woman in your accompanying photo, and her hairstyle, look ridiculous to me and I would never hire her for job aside from waitressing. But it's not just bangs, there are plenty of hairstyles that look ridiculous! Bangs are just one great example
Platinum blonde probably tops the list, though.
6That is such a stupid comment, what an idiot!!!
7Ummmm, no I have never judged someone's capabilities by their bangs and hopefully never will!
8I might judge their style choices if the bans look bad, but not anyone's competency.
9i have bangs and always have. they make my face look less round and detract from my dark eyebrows (i'm blonde). i don't care if they go out of style altogether. i'm still wearing them!
10Whatever. Maybe that's the case in Manhattan, but of course that woman would never guess that the woman who began the makeup line Urban Decay was the founder of Cisco Systems. Urban Decay sells vivid blue and bright green eyeshadow, for God's sake. Not serious enough for her, huh? Some people are too damn serious.
11It's funny that I have just read on AOL yesterday about women having their haircut w/ bangs. The findings reveal that women who asked for bangs are in dire straits---just had a bad relationship, divorce or break-up and they're out to say "Hey,I'm still young, pretty and desirable"...and the conclusion of the article states "Beware of these women who might desire to devour your husband/lover".
12Honestly, I never knew that "bangs" could stir such an outrageous observation from these people. It's just a haircut....deal with it.
I agree with Lemurian. The woman, er... GIRL in the photo does not look professional. She looks like she's about to go to work in that field. I think it depends on how polished you make it look.
13that's so odd vienvien! people come up with the most amazing observations. i have bangs because they make me look hot, that's all! no breakups or major crises here!
14I had blunt bangs last year because my hair was really long and it made me look MORE polished!!!!
I was in Law School at the time, and one of the Professors actually stopped me and told me how I looked very "French" and sophisticated. haha.
15I just got bangs yesterday!
http://teamsugar.com/gallery/view/453514?page=0,0,0
I think saying that women who have bangs aren't taken seriously is ridiculous. But then, the same "they" also say that women with curly hair look unprofessional and aren't taken seriously.
My curly hair and bangs says they're wrong.
16I had bangs for years and just recently grew them out, it kind of feels like a relief. Bangs are MAJOR maintenance and require frequent trimming.
And "that woman" being Cat Power, she doesn't need a job considering she's sold millions of albums and is worshipped by people all over the world!!
17What an odd quote!
18I think the point that the story misses (and is maybe trying to make) is that your haircut should reflect an amount of professionalism. Personally, I think the bubble bangs (you know the ones that we all had when we were 5 that poof out from your head) look god awful and so do the really long bangs that hang in your eyes. IF you are a professional, you have to have a haircut where people can focus on YOU not your hair (other than to say wow she has good hair). Obviously if they can't look you in they eye that would be a problem.
19I think fringe is fringe. It's just another hair style. I think people would be more likely to take you less seriously if you wore all frosted makeup. Bangs/ fringe is perfectly acceptable.
[By the way, I am not slamming the ladies who wear frosted makeup, I think it is cute. I'm just trying to make a point.]
20I've had bangs for about five years now (and am going tomorrow to get them trimmed and cut more blunt) and I think that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
21What a ridiculous theory. I have bangs, work in a professional setting and I am taken seriously!
22that's bizarre
23I'm glad we all think alike...the first person I thought of when reading this was Anna Wintour!
24NOW, pigtails in a professional setting? not serious! pink or blue streaks? not so much. Let's just say we established that bangs v no bangs is not even an issue. the person who wrote that orginal story is way too uptight! probably gets hyper about flip flops too. Relaaax.
25i dont think having bangs makes u taken less seriously i just think it makes most people who have them look like they have big mop fringe hanging off their forhead, i h8 big fringes
26It depends on how they look, if they are neat or not.
27The article refers to betty page and shorter bangs, not regular eyebrow skimming or side swept bangs. Those shorter and retro looks are particular to quirky folks, whom I love because they're they spice of life. These folk want to convey a youthful portraiture of their character, or else are usually into alternative fashion. Most "conventional" office-dwelling folk or fashionistas aren't awefully into this look, thus the dis.
28The New York Times is looking rough these days. Maybe it needs some bangs.
I'm all for trend-watching in the nation's leading newspaper, but this article was really as fluffy as a frizzy fringe.
29thats ridiulous and untrue.
30I have bangs because they are flattering to my face and I don't have any trouble being taken seriously.
31yes, this was not a smart comment.
32First: I absolutely love Cat Power AND those signature bangs that she's had for years now without changing. Second, I've had lots of hairstyles with side-swept bangs over the years and I've always had the urge to go for the blunt mini-bangs, but never fully believed that it would flatter my face (it would just make me look like a child). And though the mini-bangs can go terribly wrong, I say if it works on you, go for it! I would if it'd work for me!
33I have had bangs my entire life and will never not have them. I get taken seriously. That is completley insane!!
me at 5 with bangs
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/189376830_de066ecd62_o.jpg
me today with bangs
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1167/889665218_6c307b400e_m.jpg
VIVA LA BANGS!!!!!!!!!!!
34I have bangs like Cat Power's. Always long and thick, never super-short (I have a cowlick and my bangs will stand straight up if they're too short). And I'm quite happy with them. They disguise my short forehead and the few chicken pox scars I have up there.
I think it's a ludicrous idea that having bangs means you won't be taken seriously.
35Bozo - that's hilarious! I immediately thought of Anna Wintour, too. I
36Aren't we over this pretension?? Bangs do not determine what your character is comprised of~!! This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of as well!
37BITE ME!
38I've never found bangs to be a problem.
39I was thinking the opposite of this statement. I think bangs make you look like a fierce biyotch! Especially if they're blunt cut. I got mines cut about a month ago and I basically have Anna Wintour's cut but mine's is just a lil bit longer. I have to say that if people didn't take me seriously I didn't give a crap because they made me feel hot, sexy, and in control, and the way you feel is the way other people will treat you.... So basically this article was so wrong.
40Anna Wintour immediately came to my mind, too!
I've never looked at a single person and judged their professional abilities by their hairstyle.
41I have never thought of it in such a way. I do believe that bangs look the best on little girls though.
42I've always thought the opposite. I have longish (just past my shoulders) hair and without bangs I feel like I look like I'm trying to be sexy. With bangs I feel like I look more sophisticated and polished. Oh well.
43chan has the weirdest stage presence. her music is so beautiful and relaxing, we were all sitting on the floor of the venue dozing off.
i had long side swept bangs ala Nicole Richie, when i thought of the great idea to cut them longish short ala Chan. all everyone said to me was "oh you look so young now." i'm only 19 as is, ha.
44oh so "bangs" just mean fringes, yay i know what they are now! (i'm an aussie lol)
45I had blunt bangs for a while and was never not taken seriously. The only reason I'm growing them out is b/c its too hard to keep them straight in the Florida humidity.
46That is absolutely ridiculous! Look at men, most are bald or don't know how to comb their hair, does that mean they aren't taken seriously? It depends on the person. If you command respect, you will get respect!!!
47crap! i'm loving bangs at the mmoment and cutesy dumb has never entered my head when seeing people with bangs
48That is such a stupid statement. I have bangs and I'm taken seriously..
49gosh- that article really hit home. i've gone back and forth with bangs forever, many times seeking some sort of emotional/physical re-birth. (i've done the same thing with hair dye) i think i've finally sworn off them (bangs and dye), but i'm still tempted every now and then. i will admit, one of the reasons i swore off them is because i think they make me look younger. and growing them out is hell!
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