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.)

Justaboy does have history appointing himself The Ambassador for Men though.

This thread is fascinating. I didn’t realise that so many had such strong opinions on other people’s hairstyles.

I have very cropped hair and have had short hair for probably about 75% of my life (even if it apparently makes me ugly. Oh well! 🤷‍♀️)

I hate the feeing of long hair on my neck and struggle to put my hair in a ponytail that doesn’t feel like it’s pulling somewhere on my head or tickling the back of my neck (or feeling off-balanced and a weird weight if in a bun).

Interestingly, I’ve always found long hair a lot more work and more stressful than short hair. Short is quick to wash and mine can either dry naturally or takes 3 mins with a hairdryer.

It’s been interesting to see however, during lockdown, that a number of women have relished going without make up etc because they’ve been home.

I’ve had many hair styles including cropped pixie cuts, big 80s perms, bobs etc etc. I think my level of attractiveness to the opposite (and same) sex remained pretty constant regardless of the hair.

I’m nearly 60 now and currently have longish layered wavy hair. It’s partly a reaction to the 20+ years of cropped hair that was practical with young D.C, it’s partly current fashion, it’s partly because I want a final fling at long hair before age makes it too thin to be swooshy and shiny. At this age I’m pretty much invisible sexually regardless of the length of my hair.

You sound oddly very invested and judgy in how other women wear their hair. Any views on mens hair?

All basically the same isn’t it?

I don't like short hair. I like the fact that pretty well all teens/young women have long hair these days.

That's a bit weird.

I have straight hair to my shoulders. I have it like this as I just "wash & go" & trim it myself.

So easy to maintain & not having to go to the hairdresser are my criteria!

I have long hair as I think it’s low maintenance. Can tie it in a ponytail or messy bun and it looks neat and tidy. Don’t go to the hairdressers for 6 months, as I haven’t, and it’s just a bit longer rather than totally out of style. When the weather is warm I don’t even need to use a hair drier, just towel Dry, leave in conditioner and comb through. Looks fine.

@lovelifehope

My hairs shoulder length, I like it and dh likes it, I find it odd how many on here are appalled that men might find it attractive. What is wrong with enjoying a bit of admiration from men anyway.

Agree with this. I don't understand why women seem to be so judged on here for wanting to be attractive to men. It doesn't make you a vain attention seeker. I'd say it's pretty normal.

Like pp I have longer hair as its very thick, very wavy and goes into a weird wig like bouffee if cut short. It grows really fast too so I'd be in the hairdressers every 3 weeks getting a style cut in. I also have a slightly pudgy face so longish hair with layers is just much better for me. I envy my friends who look ace with short hair.

My abusive Ex made a huge point of making sure I knew he preferred my hair long, so I cut it to a short pixie and kept it that way.

My more recent abusive Ex is the same (not to mention not liking my piercings, not liking me wearing makeup, calling me a whore for wearing certain necklaces and clothes etc). I go out of my way to make sure I keep getting the piercings I want and wearing the clothes I feel comfortable in.

Ironically I had and wore ALL these things when we met.

If idgaf what my controlling and abusive ex's thought when we were together I damn well don't give a shit what any other man thinks.

I have short hair and my DH really likes it. I think, on the whole, women look much much better with short hair.

Halle Berry looked stunning with short hair, not so much with long hair. Kylie Minogue also looked stunning with short hair. Not keen on her longer hair at all.

Lots of other women look better with short hair - Keira Knightley, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Carey Mulligan, Frankie Bridge. Frankie Bridge is another women who looked stunning with short hair but very ordinary with long hair

We don't all avoid short hair. I hate hair. Anywhere on my body. It's an unwanted irritation.

I don't give a fuck what men think

@Northernsoullover

I have ultra fine hair op and it looks awful short. Its poker straight and can't be styled well. It doesn't look great long either so I keep it shoulder length.

I share your hair!

I have mine chin length though. Even shoulder length is a step too far for me!

I’m lazy. I cba with washing and drying every day (I’ve had short hair).

My hair is long enough to put up Because that’s how I prefer it.

My ex likes short hair on women - pixie short - so not all men prefer long hair on women.

My hair looks better in a short bob. I would never claim to be immune to social conditioning, but the reason I kept it longer for ages was simply because it's so much less effort to tie it back and not bother styling it or blow-drying it. Certainly nothing to do with the male gaze. I don't even know whether dh prefers it long or short - I don't think he's bothered either way tbh! And I don't give a monkey's what any other men might think.

I have long hair because I can't be bothered going to the hairdresser. i had it very short for a while in the late 70s/early 80s but I was modelling for an instructor in a well known hair dressing school in London. It's a good job I had it done for free because I had to go every 3 weeks.

I get mine cut to shoulder length occasionally then let it grow long again. The lockdown made no difference to how I feel about my hair and I colour it at home.

I have v long hair due to lockdown it seems to have just grown fast and I have a lot of hair. I’m glad despite my lack of thyroid i have decent hair as it can make it fall out and become thin, so am keeping it long because I like it. Other people don’t need to like it men inc but it’s nice if you do
I don’t have time to style shorter hair it sticks out in a bob and I don’t suit it short but really I’m happy with nice long healthy hair. It doesn’t have to be about anyone else why can’t I just choose hair I want and enjoy it

My hair is long - because l like it.

I have very think, coarse hair with a lot of frizz and the longer length helps weigh it down and so is a bit more manageable. I also have a round face and look fat with short hair- coupled with the texture it resembles a mushroom if above my shoulder a

Oh, and when we met my husband expressed a preference for short hair.

I just like being able to pick at my split ends. I could see them when my hair was shorter and I started pulling out rough hairs instead.

My friend has long hair but it isn’t to attract men. Most definitely not, she likes ladies 😉.

YABU.

Nope I keep my hair long as it suits me that way. Ive has it showered but never short short. My now partner likes my hair long but I wouldn’t not cut it because of him.

@Justaboy

Just's male POV..

Long hair all the time, any age, looks well attractive to me, dunno why but thats the way it is as I see it:-)

And there we have it. A man has arrived. 🙄

I look at old school photos of my girls' school from 1988 and we all have different styles. Short, long, punk, fringes, perms, etc so I do agree it's a fashion thing that girls do all tend to have long hair now. Actually I love seeing girls go for short styles as it shows real individuality. I don't think it's anything to do with men. Mines longish as I'm hopeless at getting to the hairdressers. I would love short hair but a bit worried that it would take too much effort to look OK. I've had it shorter in the past, but when you're young you can get away with anything.

Whilst there's no doubt social conditioning also, clean, shiny hair is a sign of health and vitality. Look at any furry animal - cats especially! They groom to stay clean, and an unhealthy animal won't groom themselves well.

I alternate between very long hair and bob length hair. Advantages and disadvantages to both (HATE mid length hair on me, it really doesn't suit me).

I groom my hair to:

• stay clean and healthy
• look attractive in my own right
• look attractive for my husband

He grew his beard for me, and keeps his hair longer for me.

It's wrong that society and advertising create unrealistic standards of beauty, or standards that interfere with our health or well being, or to value those standards above any other personal quality.

But actually, trying to look attractive to a mate is hard wired into almost all species with visual receptors.