Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

This season, there truly is something for everyone - including those of us who haven’t succumbed to the must-have short, choppy cuts of the moment. Hopefully, one of the styles on these pages will inspire you to give your hair a fresh twist over the coming months. Throw in a gorgeous, oh-so-fashionable hair accessory or two, and you’ll be sure to make this summer’s best-tressed list.

Fabulous Fifties

There was more than a touch of a Fifties rock ‘n’ roll influence on several spring/summer catwalks, including Matthew Williamson, Marni and Versace. One of the strongest style statements of the season, this look requires a bit of time and effort (and attitude).

Think swept-back styles, Retro hair “rolls” and quiffs (best achieved on longer fringes). To achieve the look, add mousse to the hair before blow-drying and then backcombing at the front. Serious firm hold mousses include Wella’s ShockWaves Ultra Strong Max Volume Mousse (£3.09, at chemists and supermarkets nationwide) and Michaeljohn’s new SalonSpa Mighty Mousse (£3.99, part of a hot new range available at selected Boots stores nationwide from 7 April).

A final burst of a fine, medium-hold hairspray will help to seal the look. Try Phytologie’s Phytolaque (£7, for stockists, tel: 0207- 620 1771), loved by session stylists, or Paul Mitchell’s Freeze And Shine Super Spray (£7.35, for stockists, tel: 01296- 390590), which gives a strong but non-sticky finish.

Making Waves

Pure Hollywood glam, tumbling Jerry Hall-style waves ruled at shows such as Maria Grachvogel, Donna Karan and Elspeth Gibson (teamed with suitably movie star red, glossy lips).

As glossy condition is paramount, reach for a shine-boosting shampoo. Nirvana Natural’s Wheatgerm And Honey Shampoo (£3.60) is super-gentle and leaves tresses soft and healthy-looking (for stockists, tel: 01494- 880885; and look out for the company’s new Indulgence line, including styling products, hitting selected Boots stores in May).

To make waves and curls, apply a handful of mousse before blow-drying, such as Wella’s High Hair Curl Energy Mousse (£5.30, at Wella salons nationwide, tel: 08705- 775544), or Charles Worthington’s new Big Hair So Uplifting! Volumising Mousse (£4.19 at selected Boots from April). Encourage natural movement as you blow-dry, or boost it with Velcro rollers (big ones, for big waves) or curling tongs when dry.

A final run-through of a styling cream which adds sheen finishes the look. See Kiehl’s classic Crème With Silk Groom (£16.50, at Liberty, Regent Street, and Space NK stores nationwide), or Nexxus’ new Designing Butter High Fashion Texture Creme (£12.50, for stockists, tel: 0345- 256211).

Choppy Chic

If you’ve gone for the chop (and, by now, you know you’re in ultra-cool company), you can experiment with products which change the texture of the hair, to achieve very different looks.

To emulate the sleek, glam bobs seen at Louis Vuitton,Valentino and Ralph Lauren, apply a styling mousse or lotion before blow-drying hair as smooth as possible. If your hair isn’t naturally poker-straight, opt instead for a sleekening product like Paul Mitchell’s new Straight Works (£6.85), a clean-smelling, lightweight gel with chamomile, jojoba and aloe vera extracts.

For extra polish, mist dry hair with a high shine spray such as Wella’s High Hair Gloss Spray (£4.60), or Aveda’s ever-popular Purefume Brilliant Spray-On (£10.50).

For a funkier, messier look, try a texturising cream designed for the task, such as Michaeljohn’s SalonSpa Mess Head (£5.99); or check out Aveda’s new Custom Control (£15) - a versatile styling emulsion which can be used on this season’s long, choppy fringes, to create a separated effect.

Perfect Ponytails

The ponytail is a season favourite at fashion shows, and this spring/summer is no exception. This time around, the look was given a new edge by twisting the hair around and in on itself at the base of the ponytail - as seen at Christian Dior, Julian McDonald and Michael Kors. At Calvin Klein, super-stylist Guido Palau set out create a soft, casual look which the girls might have done themselves (we like those looks best).

Whether you want to go sleek or soft, applying mousse before blow-drying will help to add volume and shine. To tackle those pesky frizzies at the front of the hair, smooth on a small amount of wax, like Paul Mitchell’s lightweight Slick Works (£6.85), or Wella’s ShockWaves Shine Gel Wax (£3.09).

A good tip with holidays in mind: after washing hair in the morning, comb through Nirvana Natural’s Camomile Conditioner (£3.60) and leave hair to dry naturally in a ponytail. It’ll help to shield your hair against the sun, while enhancing natural (or not-so) highlights.

Hair Wear

Accessories-wise, we’re spoilt for choice this season. The corsage-as-fashion-accessory trend is still going strong, and the new glitter-edged rose ponytail bands, clips and slides at Claire’s Accessories (from £2) and HQhair.com (from £8.50) are very Carrie- Sex And The City - Bradshaw. We love, too, Boden’s irresistibly exotic-looking lilies, and simple, romantic roses (£16, for a spring/summer catalogue, tel: 020- 8453 1535).

The other big story is hair baubles - in all shapes, colours and sizes. If you don’t want to splash on Louis Vuitton’s sought after “cubes” (£44, tel: 0207- 399 4050), then check out the cheap and cheerful alternatives at HQhair.com and just about every highstreet fashion chain.