For someone like me with a longstanding fringe fantasy but whose only big hair change over the past three decades has been growing it from clavicle to nipple length, Claudia Winkleman's signature Traitors style, including her chunky roll-necks and fingerless gloves, is easily emulated, but her fringe is a little trickier.
A quick search online brings up a range of commitment-free clip-in fringes that can make your dreams a reality without the permanent damage. For me, who has never quite got the hang of styling my own fringe, this sounds like the perfect solution. But how does it compare to the real thing?
According to Hadley Yates, a London-based hairstylist and extensions specialist, "We created them so customers can experience what it is like to have a fringe without actually having a fringe." His £35 full fringes are made from real hair sourced from ethically approved suppliers in India. However, I opt for the more affordable synthetic option - £2 is a price that even my bank account wouldn't object to.
While Yates's real hair fringes behave like their natural counterparts, moving in the wind and responding to styling products, the synthetic ones are far less convincing. They have an overly shiny finish and can become static. However, when it comes to style versatility, both options offer similar results.
Winkleman's fringe icons include Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, who say that a fringe shouldn't be apologetic - it should sit "en terrasse" with a glass of red wine in hand. For me, this means parting my hair to reveal a curtain bang-style fringe that can easily be styled.
Inserting the clip-in fringe is an exercise in simplicity, taking mere seconds to put on. The snap hair clip keeps everything securely in place, and I've found myself raising my head to check how it sits without having a mirror handy - after all, there's no point in admiring your own work when you're trying something new.
At the office, the reaction is mixed. Some colleagues compliment me on my new look but also seem concerned about the 'reality' of my fringe - some people are just not buying it. However, for me, this isn't a problem; I've never felt more popular or confident as I do now that I have my very own fake fringe.
Whether in Fringe Club online forums or offline chatter with friends, everyone's on the same page: fringes unite! In this case, at least. For Yates's bespoke service, clients can opt for a fully customised look - but for me, £2 is all I'm willing to spend on a hair revolution.
However, despite its ease of use and relatively low cost, there are some downsides. One has to deal with the cold reality that fringes come with - literally. When it gets chilly outside, the 'real' fringe becomes an unwelcome accessory to my everyday attire, requiring constant re-combining when indoors. This might be a small price to pay for the fun of having a fake one.
After all, unlike Fight Club's dark cult, Fringe Club may just turn out to be the most lighthearted hair group I've ever joined - and it's got nothing to do with fringes.
A quick search online brings up a range of commitment-free clip-in fringes that can make your dreams a reality without the permanent damage. For me, who has never quite got the hang of styling my own fringe, this sounds like the perfect solution. But how does it compare to the real thing?
According to Hadley Yates, a London-based hairstylist and extensions specialist, "We created them so customers can experience what it is like to have a fringe without actually having a fringe." His £35 full fringes are made from real hair sourced from ethically approved suppliers in India. However, I opt for the more affordable synthetic option - £2 is a price that even my bank account wouldn't object to.
While Yates's real hair fringes behave like their natural counterparts, moving in the wind and responding to styling products, the synthetic ones are far less convincing. They have an overly shiny finish and can become static. However, when it comes to style versatility, both options offer similar results.
Winkleman's fringe icons include Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, who say that a fringe shouldn't be apologetic - it should sit "en terrasse" with a glass of red wine in hand. For me, this means parting my hair to reveal a curtain bang-style fringe that can easily be styled.
Inserting the clip-in fringe is an exercise in simplicity, taking mere seconds to put on. The snap hair clip keeps everything securely in place, and I've found myself raising my head to check how it sits without having a mirror handy - after all, there's no point in admiring your own work when you're trying something new.
At the office, the reaction is mixed. Some colleagues compliment me on my new look but also seem concerned about the 'reality' of my fringe - some people are just not buying it. However, for me, this isn't a problem; I've never felt more popular or confident as I do now that I have my very own fake fringe.
Whether in Fringe Club online forums or offline chatter with friends, everyone's on the same page: fringes unite! In this case, at least. For Yates's bespoke service, clients can opt for a fully customised look - but for me, £2 is all I'm willing to spend on a hair revolution.
However, despite its ease of use and relatively low cost, there are some downsides. One has to deal with the cold reality that fringes come with - literally. When it gets chilly outside, the 'real' fringe becomes an unwelcome accessory to my everyday attire, requiring constant re-combining when indoors. This might be a small price to pay for the fun of having a fake one.
After all, unlike Fight Club's dark cult, Fringe Club may just turn out to be the most lighthearted hair group I've ever joined - and it's got nothing to do with fringes.
... but let's talk about accessibility here. £2 is a great price point, but what about those who can't afford it? Are we creating a new class divide based on hairstyles? I mean, think about it, if you're already struggling to make ends meet, can you really afford to shell out extra cash for a fancy hair clip-in fringe? It's like the old saying "you can't put a price on style" but what about when it comes down to actual finances? 
#FringeLove #HairGoals Claudia Winkleman's style is so on point, but I totally get why some people want a more affordable solution 
#HairHacks For me, it's all about having fun with my hair – and what's more fun than rocking a fake fringe? 
#ConfidenceIsKey
how easy is it to put on?? i need this in my life ASAP!! 
i never thought about the cold reality tho, good point about re-combining when its chilly outside 
! I mean, Claudia Winkleman is rockin' them so effortlessly, but who says we have to break the bank? 
. Synthetic vs real hair, it's all about personal preference, right? 
.
. It's like we're all in this together, Fringe Club unite! 
!
. I tried one and it was so easy to put on, just seconds! 
. I mean, I get it, who wouldn't want to try a hair trend without breaking the bank? But £35 for a clip-in fringe? That's like asking me to shell out money for a decent cup of coffee 
️.
. And let's be real, who wants to deal with static hair and an overly shiny finish? Not me, that's for sure 
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I've always been fascinated by the idea of having a 'real' fringe, but now I can see how clip-in fringes are a great option too... especially for those who don't wanna commit to permanent damage 
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. And let's be real, not everyone will 'get' it... some people just won't buy into the fringe movement 
. But for those of us who are in on the secret, Fringe Club is definitely a winner 
. For me, £35 is still a bit steep, but hey, if you're willing to shell out the cash, I guess it's worth it for that real hair vibe 
. The problem with fake fringes though is they just don't have the same movement and life as your own hair