Short, sharp, easy-to-maintain cuts are always favourites at Glasshouse, but those wondering whether to go for the chop often worry that less length will also mean less versatility. Enter Kelly Macdonald as Diane in cult favourite movie Trainspotting. Kelly’s simple, jaw-skimming cut is just as interesting loose as it is slicked back, and as the feisty Diane, she allays any fears that bob means boring (which is something we’re very keen on of late…)
Trainspotting is the 90’s indie hit which defined a generation. It’s a sex, drugs and rock’n’roll story set in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 1980’s, and follows Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his group of friends through the trials and tribulations of love, death and going cold turkey.
The film resonated massively with youth culture at the time of its 1996 release, speaking to concerns from the economic to the romantic, and due to its vibrant, talented cast lead by a young McGregor and much-loved soundtrack, it quickly came to epitomise British cool. But nobody in Trainspotting is quite as cool as Diane, the underage temptress played by the then-unknown Ms Macdonald. Her allure shines through even when she’s wearing a dowdy school uniform, and we’ve been known to replay her first appearance in the film – in an impressively glittery dress, to the strains of Blondie’s Atomic – over and over.
Diane features as Renton’s love interest, but their romance is doomed. Their passion is distinguished abruptly when Renton discovers pretty quickly that Diane is actually a fifteen year old schoolgirl, and she blackmails him so that he’ll stay in contact with her.
Part of Diane’s femme fatale-in-the-making charm undoubtedly comes from her styling, as well as Kelly Macdonald’s magnetic presence. From when we first see her in that dress, to her later appearances in a blazer and skirt, her look is always natural but striking, and her ’do showcases the extent of short hair’s considerable adaptability, framing Kelly’s face perfectly.
Our favourite of her looks, however, is of course the iconic slicked-back, sharply parted ‘do she wears in the nightclub scene. This edgy style is deceivingly easy to achieve - all you need is a comb and a gel product like Organic Colour Systems’ Shape.
To get Diane’s smooth, almost androgynous look, wet the hair a little and towel dry. Part it in the desired way (Diane’s is to the side but yours doesn’t have to be!) using the comb to make sure that the parting is as clear and sharp as possible. Then, pump a little of your gel into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to warm it up. Work your fingers through your hair to get the shape you want, and brush the product through if needed. Voila - a five minute Trainspotting-inspired look to change up any bob.
As into bobs as we are at the moment, Kelly Macdonald as Diane is the ideal movie muse, showing yet another way of wearing this classic style that’s just the right amount of ’90s.
Cover image: Observer.com
Words by Lauren O’Neill
