I find the ever changing rules of fashion fascinating and none more so than the current trend of being seen out and about in rollers. Having short "prickly hair", as mine was described by a little girl when I was on the train the other day, this is not a look I will be rocking any time soon but for some, rollers are the ultimate fashion statement.
All sorts of assumptions used to be made about women who were seen out and about in their rollers - probably most of them by their peers and probably most of them relating to class. This image of the lovely Hilda Ogden probably best summarises the stereo-typical "roller wearer" of years gone by.
Moving on a few decades, haven't people's views changed? These are our current "roller wearers". So, what does the message of wearing rollers in public say to us now?
Although I had heard from our local florist, who also owns a shop in Liverpool, of women being seen in the supermarket and on the school run in rollers, I hadn't actually witnessed it until I went up to Newcastle at New Year. I should say at this point that I would be the last person to be passing judgment on anyone wearing rollers in public. You should have seen what I had on my head when I went running yesterday. It wasn't pretty.
Wearing rollers in public is now a sort of status symbol and the ultimate accessory. As for the girl that I saw, her rollers were like a neon sign flashing above her head saying "I'm getting ready for a big night out tonight." This particular roller wearer was also sporting a beautifully made up face, manicured nails, a fake tan and a velour tracksuit. Again, no judgment being made on that front - it's just a fact. If I had the hair to pull it off maybe I would try but there again maybe I would just look like Hilda Ogden. I certainly sing like her.
