To think most women keep hair long to be attractive to the opposite sex?

[Ilovegreentomatoes]

It's always been said men prefer long hair it looks more feminine etc.
I know many women hate having their hair short and are devastated if their hairdresser cuts of more than an inch.What is the obsession with long hair? I have fine hair and cut it short because long hair looks crap on me but I'm definitely in the minority. Even women who look better with short hair because of their hair texture insist on keeping it long. Do you think that's because we are subconsciously taught mainly by men that long hair is more attractive. Plus all teen girls have that uniform ultra long hair there is no diversity. And no I'm not jealous because I have short hair!(well very short bob to be fair.)

@Ilovegreentomatoes

My post is more about if women agree we are more conditioned consciously/unconsciously about long hair being more attractive.

There is a very simple and realistic answer. Some women do have them for that reason, some don't. Many change lengths numerous times over the years. For some it suits better, for some it doesn't. Like with anything.

I do get mine cut fairly regularly though as I like it to look healthy plus it grows very fast.

[quote Ponoka7]@rosiejaune, religion and racism played more of a part in mens styling than sexism did. Roman men wanted to be clean shaven to differentiate between them and those from the Arab world. Part of other races, being seen as dirty was that their men had beards and long hair. They removed body hair as well.[/quote]
Roman men. Not women. Why didn't they shave too, to differentiate themselves from those "dirty" Arab women?

Just because there were other historical influences doesn't mean you can ignore the sexism part.

And men of varying origins in this area of the world have been hairy again since then anyway; it's not a continuous line of clean-shaven men from Roman times till now. So I doubt that's the predominant influence in modern society.

Are men allowed long hair over 40 or is it just women subjected to this ageist bullshit?

I’ve had very long, very short and everything in between. I think short cuts can look fantastic, but you need to make more effort with makeup and clothes to pull it off.

What I don’t like is ultra long hair hanging down the front - the type you regularly see on ‘real housewife’ type programmes. Most of them would look so much better with a few inches chopped off, as there is a point after which it starts to look straggly.

I've had my hair almost to my knees, & less than an inch long. However when it's long, it looks best up, away from my face. I wouldn't say I have particularly strong or attractive features, so I'm not sure why people say I suit it short. Kind of a poor man's Michelle Williams. It used to be extremely thick & shiny with natural highlights, like an extremely expensive bayalage dye job. Now more grey than anything. TBH it's much easier now it's short, no worrying about conditioner, tangles or how to style it.

Oh and I don't wear makeup. Not a bit.

I expect much of my love of my lng hair is that I had it cut short as a child. My mother hated long hair...I grew it as soon as I left home.

My hair is very thick and slightly coarse textured and I would look like a walking haystack if I grew it long. My nickname at school was Cousin Itt! I know have it in a chin length bob (long enough to tuck behind my ears if I want) which suits my face and features.

I think some women look gorgeous with cropped short hair.

Tbh zara if I saw a balding middle aged man with one of those dreadful little pony tails my fingers would be itching for the scissors.
So yes, in answer to your question.

My mother nagged me rigid to get my hair cut post 40, but when I said a few weeks back (and many years after my 40th) that I was thinking of going short she said I shouldnt as my (purple) hair suits me and no one cares if older women have long hair anymore.....

Or no..rather.

Oh and I don't wear makeup. Not a bit

Same -
over 40, never wear make up and have long hair

My post is more about if women agree we are more conditioned consciously/unconsciously about long hair being more attractive.

I don’t think I was conditioned.

I just feel that I’ve never looked at a short haircut and thought it was beautiful. Whereas I’ve seen some naturally gorgeous healthy long hair that you can’t help but admire...tumbling red curls, thick jet black straight Asian hair, wavy blonde. I’ve seen beautiful long hair on men too and found them sexually attractive and very masculine looking.

Short hair just seems a bit meh. Sometimes it’s cool or funky. A lot of the time it’s just practical. But I’ve never thought “wow, what a breathtaking short back and sides”.

And I don’t think I was conditioned. Like a lot of the women on this thread, my family were very opposed to long hair, femininity etc preferring the “smart”, “practical” look and very much “anti-princess”. But you get to school or out in public, see long well cared for hair and it stands out as something admirable. As others have said, it’s a sign of health and fertility.

It’s kind of like...seeing a Fern. Ferns are fine. Some of them are quite nice. Most are a bit boring but they have their place in the world. Then you’ve got Roses or Wisteria or Camelia and they just catch your eye more. No one conditioned me to think that, it’s just that some things are visibly more attractive than others.

And I think long hair needs to be in really tip top condition to look good.

I have long hair because I prefer it that way.

My DP also likes my hair long which also influences my decision - I like to dress in a way that I know he finds attractive.

I hate having short hair. Just can't whack it up in a messy bun or pony tail, always getting in my face. Can't curl it and style it differently. No thanks.

Long hair is flattering and yes, looks more feminine. That’s definitely one of the reasons I keep mine long – its an easy way to just look better. I’d love to go for a really short do or even shaven head, however I don’t have the face shape to pull it off.

It also requires less upkeep in terms of styling and regular cuts. I had a long bob for a bit which I really liked but it just grew out of shape v quick and I’m not one for regular maintenance. I think this is also the reason balayage took off in recent years. It’s flattering and low maintenance.

Why should you need more effort with make up/clothes if you have short hair? Generally baffled.

Someone quick, tell JLO and Nicole Scherzinger how AWFUL they look and to hurry up and get a bob

tbf J Los real hair is just below the shoulders I think. nicole's isn't here either, she had a bob last yr & it looked amazing.

Always thought Jennifer Lien, Star Trek Voyager loomed fabulous with her short cut.

@Candyfloss99

I hate having short hair. Just can't whack it up in a messy bun or pony tail, always getting in my face. Can't curl it and style it differently. No thanks.

Me three

If you have a short cut then its a definite style, and thats it. You cant muck about with it, it is what it is. And as you say, you cant just bund it up in a bun when your knackered and cba to wash it or do it. You have to get regular cuts and its costs a fortune.

Long hair is just like me, cheap and easy!

I think long hair on women looks younger.

Generally baffled

A lot of older celebrities with long hair have extensions but won't admit it.Just like they try to pretend their naturally wrinkle free with pert tits.