Fashion consultation needed for timid, unstylish 74 y.o. woman with severe hair loss (more inside)
May 9, 2005 11:39 AM 
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Are there any places in New York City or Westchester County that can provide help with hats, scarves, hairpieces etc for an elderly woman with alopecia? It's genetic, not caused by chemotherapy.
My Mom is extremely self-conscious about her hair loss and always wears a bandanna or kerchief to cover her head (tied in back, like you'd wear for painting the house). The problem is, she's embarassed to go anyplace nice in a bandanna and she's too timid to find a new "look" by herself. My parents' 50th anniversary is coming up and Dad wants to go to a really nice restaurant to celebrate. Is there any place that can help Mom find a nice-looking way to hide her hair loss?
Ideally, such a place would be private, supportive, and have a supply of hats and scarves on hand to play around with. No way would Mom ever go to a store and try on hats in public! Also, the consultant should be able to deal with clients who are both timid and resistant to change. Mom has worn a bandanna every day for at least 10 years and anything else looks wrong to her, but if a believable authority tells her "You look good in that style", she might accept something new. Books, websites and other DIY approahces won't work for the same reason - she needs someone to reassure her she looks good in a new style, and she won't believe Dad.
Thanks in advance for your help!
posted by astruc at 1:59 PM on May 9, 2005