Center parts are back in fashion, but they'll always be “bum parts” to me. My older sister always used to tease me and give me heaps when I was a kid wearing a center part- gibing me with digs like “Nice bum part loser.” But now they've got a new lease of life, apparently. I saw the news in the pages of one of the better hairstyling magazines around at the moment, Hair, June 09.
It seems to be the case that the center part has been appearing heaps on catwalks recently. And fashionistas have been heard claiming that the greatness of the center part lies with the way its hippy vibe adds a nice casualness to more sophisticated looks. Also, the hippy roots of the center part means that it complements all the dresses with floral prints popular this season too.
Here are some tips if you're thinking of trying a center part yourself:
- Center parts divide the face into two equal portions and typically create the illusion of length. For that reason hairstyles with center parts are a good choice for face shapes that could do with a little length- like round and square faces.
- If you have long straight hair and you'd like to wear it out with a center part but you don't want to look like Neil from The Young Ones (i.e. the “curtain hair effect”) then get some layers in your lengths.
- Center parts draw attention to the face so make the most out of the spotlight and emphasize your eyes with eyeshadow.
- If you're not sporting your natural hair color and you're keen for a ruler-straight center part then you're going to need regular touch-ups on your roots.
- Try playing with a mix of different textures for effect; for example a neat parting mixed with tousled lengths can look great.
- Speaking for myself, I think I've finally let go of my hang-ups about center parts and their similarity to bottoms (thanks to my sister ingraining that idea into my head), and although I will always call them “bum parts,” I'm ready to strap myself in and try a center part again.
