A Hairy Economy
July 31, 2009 by Aly Walansky
Filed under Hair Care
It’s been said that there’s a lipstick index in the economic climate – red is seen more during times of downturn.
I’ve also heard skirt length is influenced by how the economy is doing.
Apparently, it’s because we women are just that sensitive to what is going on around us, it influences every aspect of our being if there’s less money in the bank and jobs on the horizon. Makes sense. We carry the weight of the world on our slender shoulders!
Zuma Press
But did you know that hair length, too, is an indicator?
Check out this article from Canada.com:
Following the follicles of such celebs as Rachel McAdams, Rihanna and Solange Knowles, all of whom have shortened or shaved their hair in recent weeks, Canadian stylists report women are cropping their coifs in scissor-dulling numbers. Economists describe the trend as a kind of hemline index for the salon set, with lock-length signalling feelings about the market.
“The length of women’s hair can be a strong indicator of consumer confidence,” says Ernest Biktimirov, an associate professor of finance at Brock University in St. Catharine’s, Ont.
“When there’s uncertainty about the economy, women realize they can’t spend as much time on their hair, or as much money on (hair) products, and as a result tend to go for shorter styles.”
My thought: Maybe it’s not so much about saving money on hair by having a shorter hair style…maybe it’s more about DEFYING the bleak outlook (that some have), by doing something daring and edgy and pushing the envelope in one aspect we can always control – our own self-expression!
What do all of you think? What is the reason behind this apparent hair-cutting phenomenon?
I always thought of it more as a seasonal thing personally, I go short in the summer because it’s hot and sticky out! Longer in winter. I never thought about it being related to the economic climate at all. It’s certainly an interesting theory!