Long(ish) hair and women of a certain age - opinions?

[koeeoaddi]

Okay, I'm 52 and I've had boring, chestnut brown Laura Bush hair for the past 5 years, at least. I got tired of it, or lazy and stopped getting it cut, so now it's shoulder length. I usually either have it up in a ponytail or in a French braid -- never loose. My question is, am I too old for this hairstyle? I really don't want to be one of those women who looks like she's 24 from the back, but then turns around and ...:eek:

So, is there a Doper fashionista old bat rule of thumb I can follow on how long is too long and how old is too old? Or something?

[Monstera deliciosa]

Okay, I'm 52 and I've had boring, chestnut brown Laura Bush hair for the past 5 years, at least. I got tired of it, or lazy and stopped getting it cut, so now it's shoulder length. I usually either have it up in a ponytail or in a French braid -- never loose. My question is, am I too old for this hairstyle? I really don't want to be one of those women who looks like she's 24 from the back, but then turns around and ...:eek:

So, is there a Doper fashionista old bat rule of thumb I can follow on how long is too long and how old is too old? Or something?

The old rules about cutting your hair short after a certain age are completely arbitrary, and IMHO, completely outdated.

The only "rule" I believe in is to take an honest look at yourself. Is your hair healthy and neat-looking? Does your chosen style flatter your facial features? Does the way you wear your hair suit your general personal style (your clothing and accessory choices, and most importantly, your personality)?

If the answers are yes, then no, you are not "too old" to wear your hair that way.

[pinkfreud]

I asked a similar question (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=307353) a while back, when I was in my late fifties. Some of the responses might be of interest to you. I am 60 now, and I have curly auburn hair (hardly any grey) that's about halfway down my back. Maybe I'm a laughingstock, but I'm happy and my husband is happy. I usually braid it or keep it in a ponytail.

[freckafree]

Well, said, KayElCee.

And, koeeoaddi, if you're 52 and look 24 from behind -- you go, girl! :cool:

[supergoose]

I'm no fashion expert, but your op makes me feel a little sad. I think you should wear your hair in a style that you love, with no regard to what other people might think. I think life is too short not to. My appearance is odd in several ways, and I've been very pleasantly surprised by how much people just don't care or even complement me sometimes.

I do understand that not everyone is comfortable doing that, though, so if you aren't (and remember, like I said, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to fashion), I would recommend thinking about and observing women you know or have seen who are about your age and whose hairstyles you thought looked flattering and picking one that you think would work for you. I imagine your hair stylist could be helpful in choosing as well, but I would recommend going in with a few ideas you've gotten from looking around.

Also, you might decide what you want to communicate with your hairstyle. Elegance, for instance. Then think of/observe women your age that you consider elegant and how they wear their hair.

I don't really have anything helpful to say regarding hairstyles specifically for your age, someone else probably will come in and do much better. Good luck.

[RedRosesForMe]

I, too, think the old rules are silly. In fact, I think getting yourself one of those curly/wavy short hair cuts when you're middle-aged screams, "OLD!"*

There's a woman at work with shoulder-length hair that's a lovely shade of gray with silver highlights in front. She wears it down and the words refined and elegant come to mind.

So, if you like your hair, keep it the way it is.


*I'm thinking of the little old ladies I'd see in church with very short, thinning hair either white, gray, or a horrible shade of red, slightly curly or wavy, that they'd get styled once a week. Obviously older women can wear their hair short without looking like these ladies, but you have to be careful.

[justpassingthrough]

Another vote for wearing your hair in a way that pleases *you*.

I wore 'Laura Bush' hair for the better part of 15 years (age 30-45), but now my hair is about to the middle of my back and I couldn't be happier with it.

Healthy and well groomed looks good at any age.

[NajaNivea]

One of my favorite women in the whole world is in her late sixties and has waist-length silver hair... it's absolutely gorgeous. Another lady I know has curly salt-and-pepper hair to her mid-back and it's also beautiful.

Down with old-lady hair (http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/The-Golden-Girls-Photograph-C10102807.jpeg)!

[Spoke]

Dude weighing in. Fight the power. Leave it long. Looks great.

[Sunspace]

Another dude weighing in. Leave it long. Let it go silver. That's hot.

The receptionist at my work has long silver hair, and she is gorgeous. Intimidating as heck, but gorgeous.

[River Hippie]

Once a woman hits middle-ish age there's really no point to her trying for a short, sassy, sexy style. At that point she might as well just let it get all ...long..and ...stuff...
Whatever.

;)

Riv, fan of short hair on the ladies.

[BaneSidhe]

I'm gonna be the little old lady with the multicolored hair, big long braid and all that. If your hair makes you happy, then it doesn't matter how old you are!

[Zsofia]

You shouldn't cut it because you think you're too old, but you also shouldn't keep it long just because you've given up or don't care or don't think about it. In otherwise, you should continue to cut your hair in a way that's flattering to your face.

[An Gadaí]

I think for the most part longer hair looks great on women. It makes them look younger etc. I don't understand why a little boy haircut is de riguer after a certain age.

[ThisSpaceForRent]

I LOVE you ladies w/ long hair....thank you!

tsfr....

[panache45]

Wear your hair . . . and everything else . . . the way you like. Life is too short, doesn't mean your hair has to be.

[Marlitharn]

I fully intend to be a little old lady with snow white hair down to my knees, sweeping it across my grandbabies' bellies to make them giggle.

[faithfool]

Yup, I agree with the consensus here.... wear it however you like it best. I'm not big on long hair personally, but it looks wonderful on other people. I'm just one of those who hopes I won't be too much of an outcast if mine is dyed pink and spiked when I'm 70.

[Khadaji]

I love long hair on a woman and it can look good at any age. Jane Seymour is a perfect example of a woman in her 50s who looks great with long hair.

[Gala Matrix Fire]

The "old rule" was that all women put their hair up when they get married. "Up" meaning in a bun or a braid or a snood, not cut it short.

That's the only "old rule" there is. People in America haven't followed it for many decades.

[mbh]

Barbara Stanwyck wore long hair, well into her 80s.

The character "Madame" in The Aristocats had long hair, well past "a certain age".

[koeeoaddi]

Thanks, everyone, long it is.

I am, incidentally, not much of a slave to fashion (hint: my look hasn't changed much in 30 years). I just had a bad moment waiting for my daughter int the "Juniors" section. I was looking at some sundresses suddenly thought, 'WTF am I doing in the Juniors section? I'm way too old for this stuff.' For about five minutes I imagined myself in Peter Pan collars, sensible shoes and navy Talbot's suit jackets with white piping (and while we're at it, Ko, you're going to have to do something about that hair). I think I'm over it now, so thanks!

You may or may not be happy to know that I've chosen myself a brand new role model. (http://www.gibson.com/press/acoustics/img/emmylou2.jpg)

[justpassingthrough]

Stunning role model!

I should hope to look half that good at any age.

[Hanna]

As long as men keep doing comb overs, I'll keep my hair long and loose.

[Lynn Bodoni]

I'd still be wearing my hair long if I didn't get horrible split ends when it gets a bit past my shoulders. Or it stops growing completely. As long as your hair makes you happy, wear it just as you like it, and dance on the grave of the old rules.

[pprgrl]

Long hair on older women is fabulously sexy. My grandmother, who is in her mid-seventies, has very long dark brown hair with two streaks of silver in the front. The silver came in when she was in her thirties, IIRC, and I keep telling her that I hope I inherit it.

Lois Smith is another example of a woman of a certain age with really beautiful long hair.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Yet another guy weighing in: There are a lot of factors that determine how long your hair should be. Age isn't one of them. If you like the way you look with long hair, then do it.

[TroubleAgain]

I'm 40+ and I'm wearing the boy-short style because I think it flatters my face, and because, coloring my hair dries the ends too badly if I try to grow it long. When I stop coloring, watch out! :D