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to wonder if a high ponytail sends a message I'm unaware of?

357 replies

AuntieWithAttitude · 21/06/2024 12:19

I was watching a friend's kid after school and told her about a summer camp where I used to work. We often helped the kids put their hair in 'camper buns'—a messy bun right on top of their heads. She asked me to do it for her, but didn't like it, so we ended up with a super high ponytail instead. She loved it and had fun swishing it around.

When her mum saw it, she commented on how high it was and then lowered it.
I didn't really think too much of it, until today on TV a character wore a high ponytail, and other characters remarked on how high it was, saying things like 'erm, are you sure you want to wear your hair like that?'.

Am I missing something about the significance of high ponytails? I can be bad at this stuff, subtle cues and such, I'm wondering if I've caused offence to my friend somehow. She seemed really weird about it. Don't want to make the same mistake again if I've misunderstood the significance of something.

OP posts:
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BobbyBiscuits · 21/06/2024 12:40

It causes traction alopecia so it's really bad for the hair. I guess it could be considered a bit dated/ chavvy. (Like Vicky Pollard stereotype)
But on a child, it seems normal and cute!

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 21/06/2024 12:38

High ponytail sending a message - i mean that's insane.

Do people really think like this?

CactusMactus · 21/06/2024 12:37

A Croydon facelift?

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 21/06/2024 12:37

Anybody who would make that comment about a child's hairstyle is thick-witted to the point that they will never recover. Utterly stupid.

Why must some people always comment on what other people look like? If mum doesn't like the hairstyle she can change it but to stamp a simple pontytail with such a nasty condemnation says much about her. Shame she has a daughter really.

FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain · 21/06/2024 12:37

In Greys anatomy it's because in the US the high ponytail is associated with a cheerleader/peppy persona and Meredith was the exact opposite so they were making fun of her.

Bertsmum22 · 21/06/2024 12:35

Maybe because it bloody hurts after a while!

bigageap · 21/06/2024 12:34

MILTOBE · 21/06/2024 12:26

It's the Essex facelift thing isn't it, where women were ridiculed (as bloody usual) for how they wanted to look.

Im from Essex and we call it the northern facelift 🤣🤣
got to love a stereotype!

AngelDelightButNotStrawberry · 21/06/2024 12:34

Well don’t come into the NHS then, most of us nurses have high ponytails. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Testina · 21/06/2024 12:33

Incidentally, my daughter’s high pony that looks “rough end of town” when combined with pieces and earrings and fake lashes transforms into looking “wholesome bouncy middle class sporty” when she strips the extras and picks up her tennis racket.

She’s the same wonderful kid.

People are judgemental arseholes 🙄

ParrotPirouette · 21/06/2024 12:32

‘Council face lift’ where I come from.
just snobbery OP

ichundich · 21/06/2024 12:32

Better than chav buns.

Bombast · 21/06/2024 12:31

Yes, it’s got non-aspirational lower-class connotations for some. Like those giant Jojo bows from a few years back.

TiddlyCove · 21/06/2024 12:31

There's a risk of getting a headache with a high ponytail, and generally a risk of traction alopecia with tight ponytails if you wear one every day. Not aware of any other connotations, but I'm old and not down with the kids.

Lalog · 21/06/2024 12:31

Like this?

to wonder if a high ponytail sends a message I'm unaware of?
honeylulu · 21/06/2024 12:31

I've not heard of this apart from the "Croydon facelift" high ponytail but I thought that was because it was done very tightly with all hair scraped into it rather than high per se.

I feel a bit sad reading that it's something rough to be disapproved of. I like a high ponytail myself (I have a fringe so not a scraped look!) as I love feeling it swish as I walk along. My little daughter looks really cute with that style too. But maybe everyone thinks we are a right rough pair!

Workasateamanddoitmyway · 21/06/2024 12:31

Testina · 21/06/2024 12:29

Guessing… but there is a look with a super high pony, combined with “pieces” (two stands pulled out, one either side) and completed with huge hoop gold earrings
Sometimes called a Croydon facelift. Considered “chavvy”.
I want to say Catherine Tate’s Lauren - but though the earrings and pieces are there, the pony isn’t particularly high.
But I suspect this is what the person is getting at.

(to be clear: I don’t think it’s “chavvy, don’t use that words, and have a daughter who sometimes styles like this)

Yes! Catherine Tate is so funny!!

MissMoneyFairy · 21/06/2024 12:30

I thought people think it's a bit Vicky pollard

Testina · 21/06/2024 12:29

Guessing… but there is a look with a super high pony, combined with “pieces” (two stands pulled out, one either side) and completed with huge hoop gold earrings
Sometimes called a Croydon facelift. Considered “chavvy”.
I want to say Catherine Tate’s Lauren - but though the earrings and pieces are there, the pony isn’t particularly high.
But I suspect this is what the person is getting at.

(to be clear: I don’t think it’s “chavvy, don’t use that words, and have a daughter who sometimes styles like this)

to wonder if a high ponytail sends a message I'm unaware of?
SonicTheHodgeheg · 21/06/2024 12:29

I’ve not heard of this but I have heard of tight high ponytails being referred to as a Croydon face lift.

Was the character like a cheerleader ?

nailinthewall · 21/06/2024 12:28

I'm watching this thread with interest while my 6 year old is at school currently sporting the high pony tail.
I started doing it this weather so she could wear her hat. It stays on better with a pony tail threaded through.

Workasateamanddoitmyway · 21/06/2024 12:28

It used to be known as The Croydon Face-lift. Very useful technique IMO.

Comedycook · 21/06/2024 12:28

Yes some people consider them common. It's the Croydon facelift.

I remember a girl in my school who had the highest ponytail ever...I was incredibly jealous. My mother would never have allowed it 😂

piperatthegates · 21/06/2024 12:28

MILTOBE · 21/06/2024 12:26

It's the Essex facelift thing isn't it, where women were ridiculed (as bloody usual) for how they wanted to look.

I always knew of it as a Croydon facelift. Must be dependant on where you live. But it was also the style favoured by Matt Lucas as Vicky Pollard.

Singleandproud · 21/06/2024 12:27

High pony tail like on the very top of the head like a pineapple?
Or high ponytail at crown height?

MILTOBE · 21/06/2024 12:26

It's the Essex facelift thing isn't it, where women were ridiculed (as bloody usual) for how they wanted to look.