The schoolgirls hit the headlines recently after they were barred from their school studies because of their extreme hairstyles.
Most people commenting on the story online strongly agreed with the UK school's ruling - and slammed the teenagers for their 'ridiculous Jedward quiffs'.
All I thought was, 'God, I had that exact same haircut when I was 15 - did it come back in fashion?'
To give it some context: It was the 1980s, there was a rockabilly revival going on and I was going through a 15-year-old rebellious phase, so I walked into a male barber's shop and asked them to shave my shoulder-length hair off into what was then known as a 'flat top'.
I had a 'No.2' on the sides, i.e. I had my hair razored almost to the skin.
Then, as an extra-special touch, I dyed my hair navy blue - to match my school uniform. I am sure this is painting a really attractive image for you.
When I went to my all-girls' school the next day, the teachers didn't send me home - I don't think they quite knew what to say, to be honest. My parents did though - they were horrified.
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My mother told me I looked 'like an elephant' and ordered me to grow it out immediately. In response, I got my friends to write a petition to my mum and dad, campaigning to let me keep my new 'do, plus I packed a bag and kept it under my bed for a week, as a symbol that I could run away at any given moment. Quite where to, I hadn't figured out.
All the actions of a very mature young lady, I think you'll agree.
Decades have since passed and I find myself looking at school kids' hairdos and often wondering (a) why their parents let them put so much product in there, (b) how long it must have taken them to get ready and (c) why the schools aren't stricter about their pupils' appearance.
But when I read this story it also made me stop and wonder whether it isn't just a little bit sexist as well.
It's one thing saying pupils shouldn't have elaborate hairstyles - insisting students are neat and tidy in their uniform is egalitarian and to be applauded - but are we actually veering into territory where we're saying it's not OK for girls to have short hair?
Why not?
Who says girls all have to conform with suitably feminine long locks? Or that boys, for that matter, can't have long hair?
These two girls have no different hairstyles to many of the women they see as popular culture role models - God help us - such as Rihanna or Miley Cyrus, who both sport shorn hair (and not much else, but that's a topic for another column.)
I don't think they look silly.
You might not like their hairstyles but saying they can't go to school because their hair is simply too short is a snip too far in my book.
Young women are getting assailed by conflicting messages about femininity - from overtly sexualised images of their favourite pop stars (hello Miley and Rihanna again), to the other extreme of limpid literary role models such as Twilight's Bella Swan.
They're expected to see no limits in education and career opportunities - ladies, you can even be prime minister if you try hard enough - just as long as you make sure your bum isn't too big, your jacket too snug and - yes - your hairstyle not too severe.
Note the complete dearth of reports on Tony Abbott's choice of barber, make of suit or size of rse.
So Abby and Courtney, if you're reading this, I say good for you girls. Wear your hair how you damn well like and go for it.
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