U.S. Army leaders have eased restrictions on a number of hairstyle and other personal appearance rules for soldiers. The changes are set to take effect in late February. One of the main differences is that women wearing combat clothing will now be permitted to wear their hair down. The old policy required them to wear their hair on top of their head in a style known as a bun. The new rules also will permit women soldiers to color their hair and wear it in styles such as braids and locks. They also will be permitted to wear earrings. The changes come after longstanding objections to the former Army rules. Some of the opposition came from women who said they wanted the ability to wear their hair in ways that are naturally an important part of their racial identity.