What do you think the age limmit is for plats??

[chuffinalong]

Hi, my daughter has very long, thick hair, almost waist length. She has to wear it in plats to avoid it tangling. If she goes out for one day with down or even in a low pony tail, it will be so tangle I'll have to wash it again and use conditioner just to get a brush through it!
I'm trying to decide what to do with it now, always having it in plats is kind of a waste of such beautiful hair and because she's nearly 11, is 5 foot 3 and very well developed, I'm kind of thinking that plats might look a bit too babyish now? She also has special needs and so I don't want her looking that different..
I'm wondering weather to have it cut quite a bit shorter while still keeping it quite long and having layers put in? Not sure if this will make her look too old though?
What do you think? I know it's hard to tell without seeing her, I'm just thinking out loud but would value your opinion on the plats.
Thank you.

[MidnightVelvetthe4th]

Unless she has a quirky individual style of dress then plaits may well be a bit young for her at secondary age.

I'd cut it to just below shoulders so it can still go up but its much more manageable when left down.

[RoganJosh]

A single plait or a French plait would be ok though?

[fluffypenguinbelly]

I have always worn my hair in a plait. I am now in my 30's!

[howtorebuild]

What about a Hunger games hair style?

[specialsubject]

one plait looks good on all ages, it may be time to stop wearing two.

if it is thick and curly/frizzy be careful about layers, she may end up too wide to get through doors! Lose a couple of inches to start, no more. Also don't brush curly hair, comb only.

[mysteryfairy]

My DD is 13 and they all do each other's hair in elaborate plaits - French, Dutch, wreathed round the head etc. DD often goes to school with one thing and comes back with a different and usually more elaborate style. I think if you go on YouTube and learn how to do some more ornate styles she'll be fine and age appropriate.

[PrimeDirective]

I'm wondering why you are trying to decide what to do with it now. She is 11, surely it should be her choice. Even with her having special needs, it is still her hair and she needs to be as involved as much as humanly possible in the care of it.
I have always had long hair and I've never considered it a waste to plait it and I still plait it now in my 40s.
I see lots of plaited hair at secondary school.

[chuffinalong]

Thanks everyone. PrimeDirective- I'm wondering what to do with it as my daughter really couldn't care less! She just doesn't want it to hurt when it's brushed. She's the same with clothes, if it's comfortable, she'll wear it. I kind of have to look at what other children of her age are wearing.

[IWannaHoldYourHand]

I brains my hair most days because I find it itchy down. I currently love having it in a milk maid/crown sort of style.

I think plaits are quite in right now.

[Micah]

If she doesn't care, just make it as easy as possible. Sounds like it needs cut.

I actually like two plaits, any age. It can look funky rather than cutesy.

[chuffinalong]

Thank you both. It's me who loves it long as it's such fab hair. It's a gorgeous deep auburn colour, think and very shiny. I know it's selfish in a way, but I do love it. I think I'll have it cut quite a bit shorter and have it layered a bit.

She used to have a bob from the age of 4 to 7 and still used to scream her head off whenever it was brushed. At least it wasn't such an effort to wash though.

[mmmuffins]

I also have long thick hair and wear plaits daily. Usually a single french braid, but today was pigtail french braids. I'm 31. I personally think plaits are timeless and feminine.

[chuffinalong]

Thank you. I love doing French braids in her hair if she sits still long enough... They do look lovely.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

As a previous owner of very long very thick hair that tangled easily that I was fully able to care for myself. I want to let you know the transformation that happened in my life three years ago when I had it cut back to shoulder length. It tangles so much less, it's easier to wash ( uses less shampoo and conditioner).

[chuffinalong]

Yes, I'm going to have to do it. I'll keep it just below her shoulders so that it still looks fairly long. I showed her some pictures of herself when her hair was that length and she said it was fine as she still looked like she had hair. She said as long as she still looks like a girl she doesn't mind.
When she starts secondary school, they are going to work on her independence and self care, so she'll be showering after PE etc, so I think it's important she has a style that's a bit more manageable.

[ICJump]

What about an undercut? Helps to deal with the knots and frizz but you can keep the length

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

I think it's really unfair to keep her hair so long for your own enjoyment. If she wants a cut then get it cut to a manageable length. Super long hair isn't attractive to be honest, it tends to look ratty at the ends and definitely uncomfortable.

[Pointlessfan]

I work in a secondary school. Plaits are really in at the moment - the girls get there early to plait each others' hair and they look amazing, they can do some really clever things! Youtube has tutorials if you both fancy trying some different types of plait.

[Daddyshaircare]

Plaits are fine, what about a low bun?

[PrimeDirective]

she'll be showering after PE
Are you sure about that? We used to when I was at school, but they don't at the secondary schools that I know.

[chuffinalong]

Thanks everyone. Her hair doesn't look at all ratty on the ends. It is fabulous quality hair which is regularly trimmed... That's beside the point though, It is a bit selfish of me to keep it so long, so I will get it cut to a more manageable length after Christmas
I'll also look up the tutorials for some more ideas. Thanks everyone.

[OnADarkDesertHighway]

Plaits are great. I have long hair and I am in my early 40s and plait my hair now and again.

[Umbrelladilemma]

My daughter has long hair which tangles easily - I have to plait it each night or she wakes up with absolute birds-nest hair. Try a tangle teaser brush - we've found it much better than a normal brush.