Social connotations of a blond bob

[SocialConnotations]

Help me find a grip.

For most of my life, I've had short (bobbed) blond hair. Always liked it. It suits me. Then lockdown happened, and it grew out. Kept it long because couldn't be arsed. Now want to go back to my old bob, but somehow the last few years have convinced me that there are certain social connotations to blond bobs... even in the Big Little Lies book (the Lianne Moriarty novel), there's a genre of person called "the blond bobs" (pushy middle class mums). My kids call a blond bob the "Karen cut".

In general, I don't give a f* what other people think of my appearance really. I'm in my late 40s and am generally over people-pleasing. But somehow it feels political to have a blond bob.

Tell me I'm ridiculous.

Not something I am aware of at all...

I would be telling my kids not to use such a sexist misogynistic insult.

Have your hair the way you like it.

why would you worry about what other people think?

Yes I think your kids' response is unacceptable. Is it hair associated with middle age? Perhaps. But there are many different ways to wear a bob, I'm sure your hairdresser won't give you an old fashioned one

I've had a bob a couple of times due to needing a good chop due to condition, or a miscommunication with new hairdresser. It made me feel mumsy/like a newsreader, so wouldn't revisit, but I wouldnt' say it's a political hair cut, if that's the only thing that's putting you off.

Have your hair however you want. More importantly speak to your kids about the language they use. My son used the 'karen" once he got a telling about why it's a misogynistic slur used to shut down women. He will sure as shit never use the phrase again in my presents alway. On a lighter note a shaggy blonde Bob will always be I'm style

I've got a blonde (dyed) Bob. I've essentially had the same hairstyle for most of my life, bar a few times when I've grown it a bit or dyed it, but those were always short lived things. I'm 42 and pretty much every photo of me back to 18 I have the same hair!

I've never hair any negative feedback about it in my life, I doubt anyone notices my hair to be honest.

Cut your hair the way you like it, there are all sorts of ridiculous reasons that women get called Mumsy or Karen and I wouldn't let that sort of rubbish bother you.

I have a blonde Bob, OP. Had it most of my life and told it suits me. I am 50 and not going to change anytime soon.

Is it still called the 'bob of doom' on here? Any colour, I think.

I think they suit some people better than others, that is all. Don't let it put you off.

You need to put your DC right on the use of the "K" word, the sooner we stamp it out the better.

I wouldn't call it political just because the PM has one.

If you like it stick with it, if you don't then make a few changes

Political. I don't think the hair is in the best condition there, but it looks like it's bleached and over-processed.

Agree about the need to put your children right on the use of the 'k' word.

I’ve got a blond bob. I’m 63 and had variations of it for 20 odd years or so. It’s easy. It lasts ages between cuts, it suits me ..it’s sooooo boring. And I was out a month ago and it seemed every woman over 50 had a variation of it. It’s become the shampoo and set of the 21st century. I miss going to hairdressers in the 80s and saying “do what you like” and coming away with cool and whacky styles. Tried it last year and I ended up with... A blond bob!

I’m gonna look for some threads on Karen’s now cos idk why it’s a misogynistic slur, I feel like the only people offended by it are, well, Karen’s?

I could never have that style because of the Karen association.

A very sharp cut, smooth side parted over highlighted blonde Bob looks dated. Whilst a more loose, slightly wavy, less 'neat' chin length cut seems to be still OK, if a bit '40 something influencer '. I'd say go a bit messier if you are worried about looking trad middle aged lady. But it's still conventional (and I'm part of the gang). Not political though, that ridiculous.

I thought the “Karen” cut was more specific than just a bob anyway- it’s the very sharp asymmetrical ones that are longer in the front

My blonde Bob is nothing like the PMs by the way, nor is it anything like the typical 'Karen' bob, which is really short at the back isn't it? Not all bobs are created equal!

Mine is quite blunt and textured, not curled under like a helmet. The blonde is also balayage which makes it more modern looking in my opinion. I'm a mum of three so I don't really feel like being called 'Mumsy' is an insult. To be fair, the mums I know mainly have a messy bun rather than a Bob

You don't know why it's misogynistic, yet you're using it as an insult. Ok.

Most of the misogynistic Karen memes on the internet seem to show middle aged women with blond pixie cuts.

I was in a yummy-mummy hairdressers a few years ago and I was the only client without a blonde Bob and I remember rolling my hairs to myself.
Roll on 4 years and I've got one - they are great for hiding the greys and trimming out the thin and dry hair of menopause, which is the reason imagine most of the blonde bob brigade have one

Maybe update it. This picture isn't blonde but put in a few layers

This thread needs pictures please

🙈
And a Karen is a woman who has dared to age over 40? dared to call out poor service? Others' rudeness? Being overlooked? Being interrupted, shut down dismissed?

Geez.

Good on you.