Sleek no longer so chic

Outdated ... the high ponytail has had its day.

Pause now and take a look at the women at work in any sort of position of power. Chances are they're sporting a high, sleek ponytail. It's the power pony. Maybe you've got one yourself. They're everywhere at The Age. The style's simple. It's strong. It's easy to maintain and to do - just wash, spray and slick it back with a hairtie. But it's also severe and, according to style masters, it is becoming not only ubiquitous but, frankly, old hat. And no one wants to be old hat in the workplace these days.
Layered hair with plenty of choppy texture is much more effective, according to Jayne Wild, who was named Australian Hairdresser of the Year last week at the 2011 Hair Expo in Sydney. Hairdresser of the Year is the highest accolade in the hairdressing industry and is judged by a panel of independent industry experts.
Wild is the first female in the award's 26-year history to win the title three times - now that's career power. And Wild says power ponies are harsh. ''It makes the whole look of the clothing, makeup and the girl in general seem very harsh,'' she says. ''Gone are the days of poker-straight locks - it’s all about bigger, textured hair. A lot of clients are still loving their length but want to do something more with it, so chopping in layers is a great and easy way to change it up.''

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Fringe fan ... freshen up your hair with texture and layers, suggests Jayne Wild.

Dario Chicco of Voi in Darlinghurst says layers should be ''wash and wear''. ''They will take over from clogging hair products that weigh you down, over blow-drying and straightening irons than split, burn and singe your hair.''
The power pony involves scraping the hair tightly off the face - which is also out-moded, says Wild, of Wild Life Hair at Milsons Point. ''I’m seeing a lot of fringes coming in – and I love a fringe; always have one myself.'' By spring we'll all want one if we haven't got one already, she says. ''The gorgeous model, Freja Beha Erichsen, has been a huge influence on doing something with long hair, not just having it long and boring. It gives my clients a lot of versatility, because they can do it straight and have it shaggy, or enhance their natural wave. It’s a Seventies-early Eighties feel that we’re seeing at the moment.''
Leading Melbourne stylist Kristianna Michaelides says she avoids power ponies. ''They're boring and safe - not the type of client I enjoy having,'' she says. Yes, but what if your job is ''boring but safe'' - and that's the way you want to keep it? Does the power pony have its place? Would your workplace allow a Seventies shag? Is it still better for women - even women in power - to be safe than sorry when it comes to their hairstyle?