Dear Answer Angel Ellen: When will the style of women parting their hair down the middle be over? Every time I see women with her hair parted in the middle, it makes me think about the 1920s and 1970s. Having lived through the '70s, it was the hippie gals who wore their hair this way, and it seems as though this style looked then, and now, not very flattering on even the prettiest of faces.

How long do we have until women wear their hair in a way that flatters them, not make them look unattractive?

--D.B.

Dear D.B.: Hairstyles, like everything else about women’s (and girls’) appearance, go through trends. Some last longer than others.

On that point, consider the currently popular style of hair length. Like the middle part that you find so unattractive, there was a time — not that long ago — when women over a certain age steered clear of long hair cascading to mid-torso. Now, it seems that nearly every TV news reader and media star favors a modified, flowing Rapunzel ‘do.

Same goes for changing hem length styles and most other fashion trends. Tight jeans are out; baggy are in. Amplified bust sizes were huge; now, the opposite. The center hair part might be popular for a bit but this too will pass. Give it time.

And another hair-related question…

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I wear updos and need black hairpins. The color on all the hairpins I buy comes off. Do any black hairpins keep their color?

--S. W.

Dear S. W.: Good Hair Days Magic-Grip Hairpins come in black and are made of plastic so the color flake-off shouldn’t be a problem. You can find them in packs of 10 (in tortoise or clear too) on amazon.com for $6.49

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Just for kicks, I recently signed up for vogue.com fashion trend alerts and … oh, brother. What an eye opener!

Most recently I was startled by this headline: “The Item of the Season? It’s a Bathrobe.” What? The accompanying article showed photos of Angelina Jolie wearing a black wrap style “bathrobe” over a slinky dress and Rihanna in a similar style in fuzzy white fabric worn as a dress with stiletto heels and an ample display of cleavage.

Both of these examples were held together by a robe-style tied belt of the same fabric. Is this for real?

--Grace E.

Dear Grace: Actually, this is just a variation of the wrap dress—a wildly popular style from designer Diane von Furstenberg in the 1970s. The problem then, as now, with the “bathrobe” trend was that it was a challenge to keep the belt cinched tight enough to create a flattering V-neckline but preventing the wrapped top part from loosening and turning the dress into a flasher scenario. I had a knock-off of the DVF style and I found myself constantly yanking the top closed and the belt tighter.

Anyhow, like the hairstyle that D.B. found so unflattering in the first question, this style won’t last forever. And, it is not for everyone.

Angelic Readers 1

Readers were eager to help Kate B. who complained that she couldn’t find hair spray that really would hold her hair in place.

Laura S. writes: “I highly recommend Instant Freeze by Aussie at Target for around $5. I tried all sorts of expensive sprays and nothing held like the Instant Freeze.” From Susan T.: “When choosing hairspray I found that cheaper really was better. Try Rave 4X Mega Hold. I get it at Walmart for $5 or less. Even better, it comes in unscented so my allergies aren’t bothered.” Agnes O. says: “Tressemé Hair Spray #4 holds hair very well (drug stores, Walmart, Target under $8)…stiffens hair to make it even pretty windproof; #3 is a bit lighter in stiffness.”

Angelic Readers 2

Callie L.: “I am looking for crisp, old fashioned sheets. All of my old standbys are out of business. Do any of your readers have ideas of where I can buy them now? The trend today seems to be soft, smooth, silky type sheets, which I detest. All of my old favorites are no longer in business. HELP!” From Ellen: All of my go-to crispy sheet brands are no longer available. Readers, Callie and I need your advice.

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