...or is 'No woman over 40 should have hair past her shoulders' utter bollocks?

[bringincrazyback]

It's something a friend of mine says a lot. She's in her fifties and lucky enough to suit short hair, is always badgering me (50) and another friend who's in her 40s to wear ours shorter, which I just ignore because I like my hair long and don't believe age should dictate how people wear their hair.

Just curious, though, as to whether anyone still buys into this idea that women should wear their hair shorter simply because they're approaching, or have reached, middle age? And if so... why???

My understanding was that as hair thins out with age it's healthier for the hair to be kept shorter, but I may be wrong?

However, you want your hair long you have it long. Age does not dictate that for you. Wasn't there a woman on the M&S advert who had a full head of long flowing grey locks and she had to be in her 60s or older?

I agree with you, it is bollocks. But I've recently had mine cut shorter because it's much thinner than it used to be and looks like rats tails if I leave it long

what a ridiculous thing to say, I must say on much older ladies I don't really think very long hair looks particularly good as in waist length or longer. Mine is curly so short hair is not a particularly easy option for me anyway as would need properly doing every day. I am nearly 39 so not quite there yet but I can't imagine it changing. My mums is just past her shoulders and she is over 60, it really suits her, if it was to her waist I would say it wouldn't be great at her age.

I goes bk to the days when there wasn't the products available to keep hair in tip top condition and older hair could like very dry.
I think longer can look great and flattering as it can add shadow to parts of the face such as sagging jowls.

I don't like dead straight hair on older women except a shiny bob. I think we need layers and body.

Short hair can be high maintenance too.

I'm 27 and have very long blonde hair, I always get compliments but as I'm almost 30 I feel like I should have it cut shorter, I do love it long but never see anyone older than 30 with really long hair so I'd be interested to see what people think too!

Tell her you'll do what you like with your very own hair!!! What on earth has it got to do with her?!

I'm 50s and growing mine after having in a very short bob since I was 39.

Watch real housewives of Beverly hills or orange county - all them glam women with hair past their shoulders.

Yes it’s bollocks and hairstyles are not a one-size-fits-all thing. I know plenty of women over 40 who look great with long hair, but if it’s all grey and very long it can look quite witchy.

Though some women look really amazing with short hair I don’t think many people can pull it off and it can be really ageing. Not everyone suits bobs either.

Complete bollocks, and very rude of your ‘friend’ to repeatedly comment telling you what to do with your hair. I’d have to tell her to knock it off, or start making my own suggestions about how she could improve her appearance.

Surely any woman of any age can want length hair she wants to have?
I would never ever cut my hair short.

It's complete bollocks. I'm 38 and after having a pixie cut for years, I started letting mine grow last year. It's almost shoulder length now.

Ageist bollocks.

Fucking hell, is it 1946 again?

Amelia keep your hair long. My friend cut hers off in her early 30s as she felt she was getting too old. Her hair was one of her best features but when she cut it short, she lost her individuality and looked a bit plain.

Whenever I’ve tried short hair it has been a nightmare. LOng hair is so much more manageable for me, and I will never have it short. I’m 37 and have rather long hair. I tie it up most of the time. If it looks as good as that woman in the M&S ad by the time it’s fully grey, I’ll be over the moon.
HAve what suits you

Of course it's bollocks. It's nobody else's business how anybody does their hair.

I'm 46 and I have waist length hair, with lots of grey. Yes, it's thinner than it used to be. Yes, it's greying. Guess what, I don't care. It's my hair, and I like it long. I've always had long hair apart from a period in my 20s when I had it short, and hated it. I never liked having it short and have always liked being able to do various plaits and buns and whatever.

One of my colleagues is incensed by my hair. She went through a phase of telling me that I really ought to get it cut and coloured because I'd "look SOOOO much younger and SOOO much better". Then she stopped telling me directly, but targeted one of my other colleagues who I was friendly with, and kept nagging him to tell me to get it cut and coloured. He told her to shut up and mind her own business. Then she moved on to regularly cornering my closest work friend and trying to persuade her that she should persuade me to get it cut and coloured because I'd look so much younger. My friend told her to mind her own business, and colleague didn't speak to her again for weeks. She then just took to looking sadly at my hair and sighing and shaking her head. She has retired now, thank goodness.

My hair probably doesn't look the best it could. But I like it, and it's perfectly clean and presentable, and I find it easiest to manage like this.

I used to go salsa dancing and there was a lady there in perhaps her late 60s, and she had the most gorgeous hip length snow white hair. It was absolutely beautiful, and I would totally be happy with that hair.

I’m 50 and my hair is longer than shoulder length.

It’s almost black, very thick, wavy and coarse, and is about 20 % grey. I shan’t colour it.

I’ve put on weight and I don’t think short hair will suit me now.

I intend to have long grey hair.

What a lot of rot. Your friend is an eejit.

Misogynist bollocks.

What rubbish. Tell them to piss off, OP.

I've seen women with glorious locks past 40, 50 and 60 - and I think the model with the mane of grey hair is actually nearer 80. If it suits you, or you like it, wear it long. It's always worth a look in the mirror if these things bother you - and going to a good hairdresser for advice. But keeping a really smart bob looking good costs a lot of money which most people can't afford.

the usual advice involving sex and travel should be given to your 'friend'

silly cow.

All the mums where I grew up in the 80s had a kind of mullet once past 30. It was pretty much obligatory. Perhaps we should go back to that? or maybe not. Agree it’s ageist rubbish!

Who makes these 'rules'? What nonsense!

A colleague of mine had hair that came almost down to her knees! She always wore it in a bun, but I occasionally saw her with it down. She was in her 60s. I'll admit that was a bit unusual, but so what? Live and let live.

It is utter bollocks. As is any discussion about what people 'should' do with their own body hair.

ShinyMe, your story is infuriating. People can be so narrow minded. What the hell was the matter with your colleague? Who can possibly get so upset about someone else's hair?! God, I hate nonsense like that.