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.

I had a blonde bob for decades until chemo before lockdown. Now have loooong hair. Never would have done that at my age but couldn't be bothered to get it cut and just enjoying hair again. It does grow back - not as thick but you appreciate it more. The short curly stage was a revaluation. 😉

Revelation even but also revaluation.

I thought the Karen was the ‘posh spice’ circa 2005 type Bob with the side part, layers and graduated long bits at the front

The problem is, it doesn't just "sometimes" get used as a general insult. It's become a mainstream insult and way to shut down women of a certain age, for pretty much any reason. I see it all the time on Facebook pages - if a woman expresses an opinion on a story it's all "lol ok karen", so dismissive.

Presumably you think it's ok to condemn, or laugh at, a woman with a normal haircut as looking like an over privileged racist? Just for being a middle aged woman with a haircut? That's what people were objecting to.

I thought the " Karen " thing was only in America. Unless the internet has brought it into the Uk as well. I think you should go with whatever hairstyle you feel suits you best. Sod any young'uns who might feel the need to follow this silly Karen idea. It's the racism of it that bothers me, ( all Karens have to be white it seems), and not really whether it's sexist. Sod them, go with your own preference.

Honestly, have whatever style you want. I have a blond Bob cut short at the back. I like it, it suits me and is really practical as I spend a lot of time working outside and have to wash my hair a lot. If any of my kids called me a Karen I would hand them their arse on a plate. I am well over 50 and no longer give any fucks about what anyone else thinks.