Have you ever noticed how a dress just looks better with a high pony or how a wide-leg trouser balances out a big, bouncy blow-dry? Perhaps a slicked-back bun has somehow elevated the gym leggings you’ve plucked out of the washing basket to Pinterest-levels of comfortable chic. Well, you certainly aren’t alone.

Just as a heavy, smoky eye may be the perfect addition to a simplistic shift dress or a vibrant red lip can make an all-black outfit really pop, how we style what sits on the top of our heads can play a big part in making a look come together. As Antonio Corral Calero, global creative director of haircare brand Moroccanoil, tells Stylist: “Hair plays a significant role in our fashion choices. Its colour, texture and style have the power to influence the clothing we select.”

While this connection between our hair and our clothes isn’t often spoken about – unless perhaps you’re a celebrity planning an important red-carpet look – celebrity stylist Sarah Rose Harrison
explains more about the link between the two below. 

“For me, hair informs every look,” Harrison says. “It has the power to define an era and offers up endless opportunities to showcase your personality, from colour to cut, wet to dry, up to down. In fact, it’s one of the key points of conversation when I’m working on a red-carpet look with my clients.”

So, if how we style hair is as important as the clothes when it comes to red carpet looks, why isn’t it a key focus when deciding what to wear from our own wardrobes? Perhaps this comes down to two key points: lack of time and little confidence when it comes to experimenting. After all, if a go-to ’do of a quick high pony or just simply keeping your hair down makes getting dressed easier each day, it’s hard to deny this is the option most of us will opt for.

But, if you’re standing in front of the mirror and wondering why an outfit you were excited to wear just isn’t looking quite right, your hair could certainly be the culprit. 

“By embracing and understanding our hair, we can leverage it to our advantage when getting dressed each day, creating a cohesive and confident fashion statement,” says Calero. “If you’re wearing a dress with a décolleté, putting your hair up can be a great option to showcase your neck and jawline. Or if you’re after a softer, sophisticated look, let some hair pieces fall around your face.”

“A slicked-back wet-look bun (think Sofia Richie) or a tousled curl (think Blake Lively) can give such different energy to the outfit,” explains Harrison, emphasising how our hair can be used almost like an accessory. And always remember a simple clip can make a quick and easy outfit addition. “A velvet bow can elevate basics like a jumper and jeans, while hair clips (the more the merrier) can take office tailoring to the Christmas party,” she adds. 

“I love to collaborate with hair stylists to enhance looks, whether it’s a sleek high ponytail to modernise red-carpet gowns or texture-contrasting tailoring. For example, Sharon Rooney’s cascading high ponytail styled by Sophie Sugarman perfectly complemented the drape of the dress I chose for her Barbie premier look,” Harrison says. And it’s this kind of thought process that can be used to elevate and expand our own wardrobes, even without a glam squad to hand.

Going one step further, the increased interest in ‘colour analysis’ and seemingly never-ending social media clips of experts curating people’s complementary colour palettes highlight how hair colour, along with skin tone and eye shade, could be a signifier of which clothing shades will best suit you. And let’s not forget how hairstyles trend in similar ways to fashion, creating a connection between the two at any moment in time.

Slicked-back ballet buns resurfaced with the rise of athleisure wear and the focus on Y2K fashion revived the claw clip and beaded braids. And when fashion’s focus fell back to tailoring, sharp, sleek bobs boomed. So, it’s quite likely that the haircut you’re happiest with corresponds to your clothing style already. 

Although, as Calero emphasises, what we’re told will ‘suit us’ – whether it’s a haircut, colour or fashion trend – always comes in second place to how it makes us feel. 

“What matters most is finding what works for you and makes you feel amazing. Whether you have bleached blonde or light hair, or if you prefer dark clothes, there are no strict guidelines. Your hair will stand out regardless and confidence is key,” he says.

“So, embrace your individuality, experiment with different hairstyles and wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident.” 

Images: Getty