This relates to messages below about trying the "femme" styles:
I have dark brown hair, mid-back (I wrtote to this hyperboard a while back and found a few friends :)), basically straight. I usually wear it in the proverbial ponytail.
Last week, I decided to go more wild. I used a curling iron, blow dryer and brush to make my hair much fuller and more curly at the ends. I parted it on the side, and brushed it out over my shoulders. I wore it with a black t-neck and larger than normal earrings. I went to school (Portland State U) that way, and only got smiles! What a good day Friday was!
Good luck all.
If it's smiles you crave, perhaps you should try some pretty bows and ribbons and, maybe, a nice skirt. Maybe "soup can" rollers or a pretty french twist would also work. Then, you can top it all off with some "Cher" size hoops - at least 4 inches.