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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it unreasonable to wear hair accessories in your 30s?

33 replies

benetint · 18/02/2015 19:47

I'm really bored with my hair. It's long, straight and highlighted but the condition has been absolutely rubbish since relocating (hard water?) I like wearing it down but I'd like it to look a bit more interesting. I always ogle after my 5 year olds sparkly clips and hair bands (she too has long straight hair) so I wondered what kind of hair accessories would be socially acceptable for a woman my age to wear? What kind of shops do long haired, fashionable accessory wearers frequent?

This is possibly the most superficial post I've ever written...

OP posts:
fatlazymummy · 18/02/2015 19:55

If you want to wear them, then wear them (at least outside of work). It's your hair.
Some people will disagree with me of course, but you really have to have enough self confidence to decide things like this for yourself.

holeinmyheart · 18/02/2015 19:56

You are only young and you shouldn't worry what others think. I think you should wear sparkly clips in your hair or scarves or what ever. It is the way you carry yourself that counts.
I have a huge collection of hats. I have cloches, and fur ones and berets etc. I always wear a hat in the Winter. It makes complete sense. I don't give a flying fig what anyone thinks.
Go for it OP, life is too short.

fatlazymummy · 18/02/2015 19:58

Sorry, I missed your question about what type. Personally I wouldn't go for anything too sparkly or barbie-ish. Claires accessories and supermarkets such as Asda sell hair accessories for adults.

hestialou · 18/02/2015 20:12

Of course you can I am late thirties and have sparkly hair clips and hair bands which I wear for work...in a professional office, other female colleagues also do so.

Runningupthathill82 · 18/02/2015 20:18

I think it would look very odd. But if sparkle etc is your usual "look" then maybe not so.

livsmommy · 18/02/2015 20:22

I have a huge collection of hair bows/clips/flowers, glittery ones leather ones colourful ones you name it I have it. I wear them almost daily, am 33. I do sometimes think eek I'm to old for this.....but I still wear them! I also wear sparkly uggs and converse to!

livsmommy · 18/02/2015 20:27

Oh, and I recommend crown and glory, they are fab!

Butterflywings168 · 18/02/2015 20:31

Do it. I agree with Hestia. I am early 30s, love my hair accessories, wear them to work where it is not unusual at all. I love Accessorize Smile - pretty and sparkly without being too unsophisticated/ childish. Also H&M, Dorothy Perkins, New Look.

HeadfirstForHalos · 18/02/2015 20:33

Wear whatever the hell you like and stand proud :) You're not old either!

TentUpFirstBunkUpLater · 18/02/2015 20:38

I am 49. If I put my hair up for work (customer visit, meeting that requires smart dress), I always wear sparkly hair grips that I have bought from Claire's Accessories.

I think they look really nice

Wear what you want

splodgeses · 18/02/2015 20:39

Everyday I wear my hair in a bun (using the magic doughnut) and have several large realistic looking flowers on clips, that I push into the side so it sits against the bun. All I get are comments that it looks lovely.
I will admit my face is young-looking, not in the good way, so I can't really wear headbands etc.
Wear what you want, as long as you think it looks good, who cares?

ancientbuchanan · 18/02/2015 20:45

I've always found my tiara has an uplifting effect on the troops...

whothehellknows · 18/02/2015 20:51

I'm late 30s with long straight hair, and I wouldn't hesitate to wear hair accessories. (Or hats. but I really suit hats.)

Even just pinning the sides back with a pair of sparkly grips adds interest.

PulpsNotFiction · 18/02/2015 20:54

Have a look on the accesorize website, they've loads of lovely hair bling.

If anyone can tell me how to put pins like these into your hair, I'd be grateful!

uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_5,acc_2.12/7862311200

herecomesthsun · 18/02/2015 20:55

try Anthropologie in the sale, I wear their grown up sparkly clips to work for a serious job, I'm a lot older'n you!

herecomesthsun · 18/02/2015 20:57

here

ohtheholidays · 18/02/2015 21:08

I was going to suggest Claire's as well.

I can honestly say I wouldn't judge someone twice your age for wearing something in they're hair.It really suits some people no matter what age.

Happydaystoytown · 18/02/2015 21:18

I love those garland headbands, if I was your age I'd love to wear one. You're only young, go for it.

BramwellBrown · 18/02/2015 21:25

The only way i've worked out to use them is in a bun like this Pulps

OP as long as you aren't after peppa pig/barbie hairclips its fine

PulpsNotFiction · 19/02/2015 15:42

Thanks bramwell, I'll have a go!

Feminine · 19/02/2015 15:51

I think you should wear what you like..
If your work has a dress code, then go for some tortoise shell pieces perhaps!?

I just cut mine, from right down my back to a long bob. I have been thinking about what hair accessories might work.
Plus, l am 43... ;)

Latara · 19/02/2015 16:03

Im 38, my curly hair is quite long so I wear it up for work with those patterned hair scrunchies (yes they are back in fashion!) - you can buy nice ones in New Look & TopShop.

I also have a couple of slim leather - look alice bands that stop my hair falling over my face at work.

I want to wear my hair in a half-updo out of work but haven't found a good way of doing it yet.

I envy one of the OT's at work who French plaits her hair all round her head, I haven't got a clue how to do that either.

dragdownthemoon · 19/02/2015 17:53

I have short hair and love accessorising with sparkly clips etc. I'm in my 30's, just! DD and I have been known to share hair accessories...

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 19/02/2015 18:05

It's your hair and doesn't matter how young or old you are you can wear whatever the hell you like in it.

Life is too short to give a toss what anyone thinks.

CrystalSkull · 19/02/2015 18:45

I have long hair and a huge number of accessories that I wear to work. I have some very serious (plain) ones as well as some sparklier, livelier ones. Etsy is a good place to look for original - and sometimes surprisingly cheap - pieces. I also found a lot on pretty-pieces.co.uk (very affordable and a great selection) and stone-bridge.co.uk (the really pricey ones!).