How old is too old for long hair?

[DizzieSiddal]

....or do those 'rules' not apply anymore?! I'm 40 later this year and my hair is just past shoulder length, and I rather fancy going the whole hog and growing it to my waist. I always used to have loooong hair but motherhood/lack of time meant that for the past 15ish years variations on a bob have been the order of the day. Now I've got more me time and am having a bit of a mid life crisis I think I'd quite like to be all flowy and billowy again. But should I fear the dreaded spaniel ears/gravity highlighting effects of long hair?

I had hair down past my waist - very, very, very thick natural blonde and had to be tied up most of the time - until I was about 42. Then I had it cut to past my shoulder blades at about 44, and a fringe put in. I am now 47 and had it cut into a style about shoulder length maybe a year ago - am really happy with it now

I still get my fair share of wolf-whistles (though I'm sure they are more than a bit disappointed that I'm old enough to be their mum )

I know an 83 year old lady who has a black beehive and it looks fab as she uses glitter hairspray

good for her! I wear mine mostly in a low chignon type bun or loose. Sometimes a single plait to the side So versatile I love very short hair but just on certain people and I could never carry that

I have often wondered if it is time to cut off my hair (almost bra strap length)...

...but I have such a dread of a "nice sensible short do" that my mum always tries to persuade me to go for, that I don't think I could do it.

Also, despite my advanced age of 41, it is not at all grey, and is quite thick and shiny, and DH and boys often sneak up to me to stroke it whilst they talk to me.

I'd miss that attention! Love my 10 year old telling me my hair is so silky.

I guess it is one of my vanities that I am going to keep for a bit longer.

And when I am old, I will wear a proper granny top knot, no sensible short do with coloured bits for me!!!

59 and beautiful I feel positive now about getting older

Ive had short hair for years but, at 43, have decided to grow it again. Mainly because the grey shows up too quick when uts short! Ive got it to chin length and have a heavy fringe atm. I think Ill maybe end up with a sweepy fringe and about shoulder length. I cut my own hair as well so hopefully wont muck it up!

I agree that very short on older women is ageing.

Many old women ( talking 65 + ) have a man's hair do. yesterday I saw one in the supermarket- short back and sides, fleece, trainers-it's as if post-menopause some women lose all their sexuality. Shaved up the back of neck and sides is horrid.

I've had my hair cut very short a number of times over the years.

Apparently, I could carry it off. I was once told I looked like Annie Lennox with my hair cropped. Annie has aged much better than me though!

Unfortunately, I had a very boyish figure and, well, looked like a bloke from behind.

I find wearing it longer is much more flattering for me now I can hide behind it

My mum is 68 and has very short cropped hair. Its silver and suits her teeny tiny face.

My exmil had a man's haircut, fleece, hush puppies etc, not a good look.

When I am older I won't get the short back and sides.

How do those older ladies, do their up do's?

So we're all agreed, it's the fleece that really kills sexuality?

Unless you wear it with fishnets and stilletos :)

I'm 53, had mine cut off last year because I thought I should. Currently growing it, I hate, hate, hate it! I only want a shoulder length style that I can clip up. I'm mainly black with a touch of silver, so it should look okay.

I really wonder what I'm going to do with my hair as I get older. I'm 37 now with thick red curly hair (think Rebekah Brooks ). Its been long since I was 17 - prob bra strap length suits me the best.

I do not suit short hair and my hair would be massive afro style if short. I think i'm going to end up in my coffin with the same hair - just the white version!

I think long, well-conditioned grey or white hair looks lovely. I'd like to be one of those older ladies, though I'll have to be realistic about condition. Surely the whole idea that you had to get a nice sensible short 'do once you had children/passed 40 belongs to our mothers' generation? My SIL recently cut off her very nice longish blonde hair to be 'sensible' and it doesn't suit her face at all. I suspect she did it because her mother did it at that age too.

Its a bummer trying to let it go grey though. I thought I'd try when it was short but chickened out!

dizzie, thanks for that tip! I searched on You Tube for .

Also found which is good and would work for shorter (shoulder length) hair... (looks dodgy to start, but end result good I think, although focus not great.)

Regarding how to do an undo: I usually do high ponytail, twist and tuck ends in and pin for a classic french pleat, or high ponytail, twist and clip against back of head for a more casual look. I am sure there will be you tubes showing french pleat etc. I am off to browse now, never realised this kind of thing was available!

I'm 43 and started to grow out my mumsy bob 2 and a half years ago. It is now between my bra strap and waist and I have some soft long layers in the front. I am lucky to have super shiny good condition hair and I'm really glad I grew it.

I am so glad I have come across this thread: I am 46 and have been growing out my short 'mummy hair cut' for just under a year. 2 years ago it was a matter of one of my darling offspring having to go or my hair, so the hair went .

I am aiming for shoulder length, but bra-strap length might be nice too... if I have the patience, that is.

There are some threads here about the 'MN haircut' involving high ponytails and brave chopping - I'll see if I can find one.

Here is one - including the original Celebrity Scissorhand video on YouTube

Not sure, I'd be brave enough, whenever I have enough hair, that is!

The great thing about hair is that it's only hair, and if you decide to cut it or do something daft with it, it will grow back again. I had a number 4 crop when DS was a baby (that's very, very short buzzcut. The only reason I didn't have it off completely was that I thought people might get distressed thinking I was having chemo or something). I quite liked it; it was immensely practical and I never felt unglamorous, either. Very short hair, even shaved heads, don't necessarily mean you have 'given up on sexuality' - a shaved head, bright red lipstick and huge earrings for instance is a statement...

I gave myself a number two shaved head after bleaching the life out if it. It was great except it was in December and I was frozen.

I'm 42 and have long hair. I only grew it as a protest because my now X husband wouldn't let me have it long. I really love it and plan to have it long until I'm old and can do the up-do hairstyle trixie talks of.