Long hair over 35 - still acceptable?

[Flighttattendant]

I was wondering what people think...is it a bit dodgy to keep long hair when you are, as it were, knocking on a bit?

I've recently decided that no it isn't, depending on how you do it. My plan is to wear it loose and scruffy until my face gets too old, then tie it up at the back until I am a granny.

I know there are others among us - shall we have a roll call? I'm interested to know how you feel about having long hair at our age, and how you style it.

Also are there any famous role models anyone can think of - I can't, offhand - most seem to lop it off!

I had long hair until recently (33) - well below shoulders - but I had it cut because it is going so grey, and it was becoming too much hardwork to dye very long hair. It is much easier to keep the grey at bay with shorter hair (mine is now nearly shoulder length).

I'm 31, so not quite there yet, but I don't intend to cut my hair on the whims of "fashion"

Also I hate anyone touching my hair, or well, any part of me if I don't know them very well.

I also have long hair and have no intention of cutting it short, I wair it loose and not overly groomed - it is very straight and in pretty good condition.

I use a Superdrug Tinted shampoo, 99p, ( a few times a week), it is by the shaders and toners comes in a few different shades, you leave it on for 5 mins then rinse out, I think it is good for stray grey hairs.

I've gone short now - I'm 39 and it's a lot more flattering. It's curly so I have it feathered and layered. If I let it go long it tends to stick out at the sides and go flat on top so I look like a clown. Also my face is round so layers around it soften it.

But I suspect this is all far more to do with the shape of my face and hair type than age. I shoudl probably never had long hair at all!

Surely it all depends on the style? Long and straight like Alice in Wonderland suits very few people of any age beyond teens. Long and layered with some bounce looks great- look at Twiggy on the cover of Woman and Home this month to see what I mean. Also, you have to have the right type of hair- thin and straggly, no whatever your age.

Herbie that sounds nice! Brave of you as well!
It's funny but every bloke I have ever been with preferred my hair long.

One preferred it tied up at the back but still, long.

I wonder what that is about.

For me I have it long because I only feel like me with it long...and that it goes with my clothes and body shape.

If it is short I feel vulnerable and uncomfortable - like I ought to have a better toned body, neater clothes etc.

Long scruffy hair makes it all seem OK as it is iyswim. I might be deluded though..

I'm 58 and have past shoulder length hair. I do spend spend time and money on it. It is perfectly possible to have long hair past 50 as long as you put the effort into grooming, if not you end up looking a bit Miss Haversham like.

Am 36 and have long hair - well longer than shoulder length at least.

I'm glad you raised this, because every time I go to the hairdresser I ponder whether I'm too old to carry on with longish hair (can remember reading that was a no-no beyond a certain age). But I cannot contemplate cutting - I do not SUIT short hair. I look lumpen and beaky and horrid. Also I am a complete incompetent when it comes to styling - I wash, let it dry naturally and then (usually) brush it. And that's it in terms of maintenance. The idea of needing sprays and blow-drying... well life's too short.

Mine is at least well-looked after in the main. Conditioned, trimmed every 8 weeks. Semi-permanent colour periodically to cover grey at temples.

I'm 38 and have really long curly hair. Getting it cut short will not be happening anytime soon, since my face looks lie a football when my hair is short. But then all my mates are the same age or older and all have the most beautiful long hair...it's a pre-requisite of our gang!

My MIL thinks that women should have their hair cut short once they are married!!

I have been married to her son for nearly 10 years now and I still haven't complied. I'm sure I am a constant source of embarrassment for her!!

Think it looks fine long as long as it is in nice condition, is clean and cut. Thin, straggly hair does not look nice on anyone!!

I had mylong hair cut when dd was about 18 months to a bab (thick and curly have to GHD it every day) as was just quicker, now ds is here takes me 20 mins so much easier. It is just long enough for a ponytail for gym etc if need be. I am 37 and my hairdresser who is a man says he will tell me when I need to go shorter. There are some pics on my profile if you want to see me with long and bob length.

I'm 33 with no intention of having my hair cut short any time soon. It's more versatile long.

Like FA my grandmother is 85 and has hair right down her back. She plaits it at night and pins it up during the day - it looks very elegant.

Female life expectancy in UK is 82 years. 35 is not 'knocking on a bit'

FA 35 isn't knocking on a bit!

I have a year until I'm 35 and have no intention of cutting my hair then. I had short hair as a child and I am making up for it now.

Sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by my using the term 'knocking on' to describe myself at 36.

It was pretty casually said and I as others intended it as a reference to the 'rule' I had heard and read that women of a certain age, (I'm sure it was 35) ought always to cut their hair as coming from behind, a man might assume she was a sweet young thing, and be shocked when he saw her face was that of a mature woman.

I don't feel young anyway, I feel like I am knocking on, and it is all subjective.

LOL at the thought of 'shocking' man with faces that reflect our age .