# Pulled back hairstyle: why is it popular? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 25, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552 "2026-04-25T17:46:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/41 "2026-04-26T19:02:07Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > You most certainly can’t tell someone’s intelligence from their hairstyle. Again, I was talking ONLY about TV and film, where that hairstyle is chosen by the showrunner, not the person wearing it. I can judge the choice of the showrunner. The person wearing that style is doing so by direction, for a paycheck, and of course that is what you have to do to eat, pay rent, etc- making it a smart decision for them. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/42 "2026-04-26T19:10:11Z")
And the showrunner is choosing a style that is found out in the real world worn by real people. For whatever real reasons those real people chose their real style. The showrunner’s goal is to produce a realistic character whose attributes such as wardrobe, speech style, dialog spoken, physical appearance, and yes, hairstyle, all contribute to the chosen actor being able to successfully deliver a personification of a character that the audience will recognize and connect with. There is exactly zero stupid about any of that inherently. Yes, a showrunner could make an unskillful = stupid choice and damage the believability of the character. By mismatched dialog, etc. But having a character wear a hairstyle that millions of real people wear isn’t stupid as such. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/43 "2026-04-26T19:22:38Z")
In my teens I had a modified Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. People fussed about it being in my eyes. In my twenties I had a perm, and my boss complained that it was sometimes still damp when I arrived at work, and my friends worried about how damaged my hair must be by all those chemicals. In my thirties, I wore my hair straight down to my elbows except for bangs cut to keep it out of my eyes. People fussed about how sad it was that I cut all that length to make bangs. In my forties, I went to a pixie, and people said it made me look like a lesbian. And I learned that all those years I had been wasting insane amounts of time on haircare. During covid, I was afraid to get a haircut, so I let it grow until it fit into a ponytail, and it was below hip length before it began to be inconvenient and I cut it all off into a pixie again. My point being, somebody somewhere will have a complaint no matter what a woman does with her hair. The key is to just not give a crap. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/44 "2026-04-26T20:36:59Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Hair shaming, just like body is not right. Nope, you are wrong. Genetics control your height, genetics &/or illness/ medicine (steroids) may play a part in your weight but when it comes to hair _styles_ the wearer controls that. You want to have magenta hair? That’s a choice you made. You want to have a mohawk or mullet? That’s a choice you made. You want to have hair to your knees? That’s a choice you made but I have never _even once_ had to worry about accidentally pooping on my hair, or my personal favorite 🙄, shaved all around the sides & a long, thing ponytail coming out of the crown; you put in a lot of effort to make yourself, _literally_ look like a certain part of a [horse](https://img.freepik.com/premium-photo/horse-grazing-peacefully-lush-green-pasture-open-sky-surrounded-by-nature-calm-rural-landscape-perfect-outdoor-equestrian-activities_213438-19727.jpg) The exception is bald or universally short hair; especially, on a woman as that could be a side effect during/after chemo or to combat alopecia. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/45 "2026-04-26T21:11:37Z")
There are very few hairstyles where I can make an educated guess about the person’s personality. But I can make a very good guess about someone who comments negatively on a hairstyle. ---
**Author:** ![Varl\_Hobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/91b2a8/32.png) [@Varl\_Hobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Varl_Hobe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/46 "2026-04-26T21:14:45Z")
No she’s right Black women in particular are constantly getting shamed over their hair style choices. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/47 "2026-04-26T22:10:02Z")
A person can (to a degree) choose what hairstyle to have. But they can’t choose whether to have a hairstyle. No matter what you do, it’s some hairstyle or another. And no matter what it is, someone will criticize it, and then defend their criticism on the grounds that “well, they chose it”. I certainly think that some hairstyles are more or less attractive than others. And there are some hairstyles that I would never personally choose to have for myself. But my own hair is my business, and that’s the limit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/48 "2026-04-26T23:19:10Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > But I can make a very good guess about someone who comments negatively on a hairstyle. I am not commenting on a persons choice of hairstyle. I was commenting on the showrunners choice to show a character- > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > _That_ is undoubtedly a style choice, made by the film’s stylist or director, and undoubtedly done because they like the look for that character. It may be used to communicate vulnerability, shyness, or even deception. There’s a trope for that. In other words, I do not care for that choice by the Director, etc. Just like I dont care for **Gratuitous** rape or female attack scenes where the Director wants to show off his **Misogyny**. I have said over and over that if _it is a personal choice_- then go ahead, do what you like. Apparently too many posters here are only reading into a post what they want to. It is a comment about Film and TV, not real life personal choices. ---
**Author:** ![Varl\_Hobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/91b2a8/32.png) [@Varl\_Hobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Varl_Hobe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/49 "2026-04-26T23:24:13Z")
I think you could get a lot out of this documentary > **[Good Hair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Hair)** > > Good Hair is a 2009 American documentary film directed by Jeff Stilson and produced by Chris Rock Productions and HBO Films, starring and narrated by comedian Chris Rock. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2009, Good Hair had a limited release to theaters in the United States by Roadside Attractions on October 9, 2009, and opened across the country on October 23. > The film centers on the issue of how African-American women have perceived their hair and historically styled i... It might change your mind about how you judge hairstyles. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/50 "2026-04-26T23:24:28Z")
I spend a inordinate amount of time and money on my hair. Not that I think I look so great, I spend the money and time to make it manageable. If I didn’t, it would be noticed. Like I say, got loads of hair and if the barometric pressure is right and the stars are aligned most days, I can keep it calm. It fights the plan tho’. If humidity gets to me, my hair gets bigger and bigger and more outta control. If there’s electricity in the air it’s actually dangerous. It’s all in the way of everything. My pen in my hand The dogs collars My drink My CGM The string on my hoodie The sink water I had to untangle the TV remote from it the other day Yeah. I can’t help it. So telling me about my hair being crazy ain’t useful. If you gotta judge do it silently. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/51 "2026-04-26T23:26:40Z")
> [@Varl\_Hobe](#): > > It might change your mind about how you judge hairstyles. I do not judge any hairstyles. I judge directors choices in how they portray their actors. ---
**Author:** ![Varl\_Hobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/91b2a8/32.png) [@Varl\_Hobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Varl_Hobe)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/52 "2026-04-26T23:33:13Z")
I’m sorry, but the plain reading of your original words strongly suggested otherwise. But in any case, I think one should watch that documentary. More empathy for those unlike you can only help the world. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/53 "2026-04-26T23:40:52Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I do not judge any hairstyles. I judge directors choices in how they portray their actors. It’s not possible to judge the hairstyle choices directors make for actors without judging the hairstyles. You’re not going “The nerve of that director, giving that character a sensible, reasonable hairstyle”. You’re complaining about directors choosing unreasonable hairstyles, which means you consider those hairstyles unreasonable. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/54 "2026-04-27T00:06:18Z")
So agree ^^ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/55 "2026-04-27T01:11:46Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Isn’t there a well established cinematic convention of “long hair hanging into the character’s field of sight” to signal “character is drunk, or mentally ill”? Yes. Or some kind of monster/ghost, like the woman from _The Ring._ Hairstyle often has some kind of symbolic intent in movies, and even more so games & cartoons, which are less constrained by practical considerations. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/56 "2026-04-27T01:19:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I am not commenting on a persons choice of hairstyle. I was commenting on the showrunners choice to show a character- Your argument makes zero sense. Your original statement was > [@DrDeth](#): > > to me all it communicates is someone not smart enough to keep their hair out of their eyes. So if you see it in a movie, it implies a stupid person but if you see it in real life it doesn’t mean anything? Please, don’t insult our intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/57 "2026-04-27T01:39:59Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I do not judge any hairstyles. I judge directors choices in how they portray their actors If you’re not judging the hairstyle, how can you judge the director’s choice about it? If you think the director’s choice of hairstyle indicates something about the fictional character, then wouldn’t you think that an actual person’s choice of hairstyle indicated the same thing about the actual person? -– I see that several other people have posted the same thing in different words. Maybe one of us will get through. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/58 "2026-04-27T01:54:38Z")
What if the director/showrunner/whoever is making the hairstyle choices for a character wants to give the message, “this character is the kind of person who can’t be bothered to get their hair out of their eyes” (for whatever reason - too busy to deal with it, rightly or wrongly thinks it looks good, completely indifferent to appearance)? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/59 "2026-04-27T02:17:44Z")
Or wants the character to look like one of those anime schoolgirls in their micro-skirt outfits, with spiky bangs over their eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552/60 "2026-04-27T02:21:27Z")
Wow that’s specific.. 😀 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulled-back-hairstyle-why-is-it-popular/1029552.md?page=4)