Pelmets are far more useful than keeping out light or looking pretty... They prevent heat gain and loss - keep your house cooler in summer, warmer in winter - and can save you REAL money on your heating and cooling bills. All year round. The main idea is to ensure there are no gaps (or as little as possible). Far from outdated, they're the one of latest environmental/sustainable housing trends

If you really hate the look of pelmets, and want to keep nice, clean lines of curtains or other blinds, it is well worth looking at creating hidden pelmets. You can do these yourself using balsa wood or even cardboard or paper. You basically line the top of the curtain track so that you close off the gaps between the curtains and the wall. Balsa wood is nice in that you can use small screws to hold it in place. Paper and cardboard can move with breezes unless you find another way to keep them where they need to be.

Hope this is of some help!