to wonder if a high ponytail sends a message I'm unaware of?

[AuntieWithAttitude]

I was watching a friend's kid after school and told her about a summer camp where I used to work. We often helped the kids put their hair in 'camper buns'—a messy bun right on top of their heads. She asked me to do it for her, but didn't like it, so we ended up with a super high ponytail instead. She loved it and had fun swishing it around.

When her mum saw it, she commented on how high it was and then lowered it.
I didn't really think too much of it, until today on TV a character wore a high ponytail, and other characters remarked on how high it was, saying things like 'erm, are you sure you want to wear your hair like that?'.

Am I missing something about the significance of high ponytails? I can be bad at this stuff, subtle cues and such, I'm wondering if I've caused offence to my friend somehow. She seemed really weird about it. Don't want to make the same mistake again if I've misunderstood the significance of something.

TV a character wore a high ponytail, and other characters remarked on how high it was, saying things like 'erm, are you sure you want to wear your hair like that?'.

Was it Greys Anatomy?

It's the signature look of a dominatrix in sex games.

Not serious - no idea!!

Friday pm bored.

I have never heard of this. Changing fashions?

It's shit like this that make me HATE other people

I always liked high ponytails! No problem with them personally

It has always been a very popular style with girls from the rougher end of town.
Alongside fake eyelashes and fake tan.
I would never mess with a girl with a high ponytail.

I see what you mean here. I think if it's scraped back very tight it can look harsh and a bit rough, agreed.

It's the Essex facelift thing isn't it, where women were ridiculed (as bloody usual) for how they wanted to look.

High pony tail like on the very top of the head like a pineapple?
Or high ponytail at crown height?

I always knew of it as a Croydon facelift. Must be dependant on where you live. But it was also the style favoured by Matt Lucas as Vicky Pollard.

Yes some people consider them common. It's the Croydon facelift.

I remember a girl in my school who had the highest ponytail ever...I was incredibly jealous. My mother would never have allowed it 😂

It used to be known as The Croydon Face-lift. Very useful technique IMO.

I'm watching this thread with interest while my 6 year old is at school currently sporting the high pony tail.
I started doing it this weather so she could wear her hat. It stays on better with a pony tail threaded through.

I’ve not heard of this but I have heard of tight high ponytails being referred to as a Croydon face lift.

Was the character like a cheerleader ?

Guessing… but there is a look with a super high pony, combined with “pieces” (two stands pulled out, one either side) and completed with huge hoop gold earrings
Sometimes called a Croydon facelift. Considered “chavvy”.
I want to say Catherine Tate’s Lauren - but though the earrings and pieces are there, the pony isn’t particularly high.
But I suspect this is what the person is getting at.

(to be clear: I don’t think it’s “chavvy, don’t use that words, and have a daughter who sometimes styles like this)

I thought people think it's a bit Vicky pollard

Yes! Catherine Tate is so funny!!

I've not heard of this apart from the "Croydon facelift" high ponytail but I thought that was because it was done very tightly with all hair scraped into it rather than high per se.

I feel a bit sad reading that it's something rough to be disapproved of. I like a high ponytail myself (I have a fringe so not a scraped look!) as I love feeling it swish as I walk along. My little daughter looks really cute with that style too. But maybe everyone thinks we are a right rough pair!

Like this?

There's a risk of getting a headache with a high ponytail, and generally a risk of traction alopecia with tight ponytails if you wear one every day. Not aware of any other connotations, but I'm old and not down with the kids.

Yes, it’s got non-aspirational lower-class connotations for some. Like those giant Jojo bows from a few years back.

Better than chav buns.

‘Council face lift’ where I come from.
just snobbery OP

Incidentally, my daughter’s high pony that looks “rough end of town” when combined with pieces and earrings and fake lashes transforms into looking “wholesome bouncy middle class sporty” when she strips the extras and picks up her tennis racket.

She’s the same wonderful kid.

People are judgemental arseholes 🙄

Well don’t come into the NHS then, most of us nurses have high ponytails. 🤷🏻‍♀️