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The old rules about cutting your hair short after a certain age are completely arbitrary, and IMHO, completely outdated.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