Grown up hairstyle for young 17yo

[TeenMinusTests]

My DD is off to college in Sept. She is under 5ft and has always been young for her age, which has been exacerbated by MH issues in last year and missing a year of school. It's like the others have continued growing up and she has stayed still or gone backwards.

Her hair is currently long, pony tail, beautiful blonde/honey colour.

Any suggestions for an easy to look after hair cut/style that might make her feel & look more grown up and help her confidence?

I didn’t have the physical or Mh issues that your DD has, but I can sympathise with the looking very young at a teenager. I was a month away from turning 18, and two months away from going to university (late July born) when I went to see Jurassic Park in the cinema with a friend. It was a 12 certificate and I was IDed.

Whilst being mortifying, I had fake NUS ID at that point and so could ‘prove’ that I was 18, but I felt like a real baby, and somewhat less than everyone else. Didn’t help that I was a size 6, and this was a time when everyone my age bought clothes in Topshop, which started at a size 10. And Jurassic Park, FGS.

I’m not sure there is anything I could suggest. Maybe a look that shows that she spends a lot of money on it? As you’d more likely be older to have that kind of money to spend on yourself than younger. I recognise that I am grasping at straws.

How about a collarbone length blunt cut. Still long enough to tie back for college, but a bit more of a style. Can change up the parting for different looks, add waves or wear straight. Easy to maintain style, not too regular cutting.

A lob- something she can still tie-up for practical element of her course but that will look modern when let down.

Does she have a fringe? If not that might be an option to change her look while still keeping her hair up for her practical days at college?

Long hair is what most girls her age have.

You can get nice steel toe capped boots that meet safety standards but are clearly for women if you look online.

But to be honest I think that “aging her up” for the college course is a red herring. She’ll be perceived as much more grown up if she has all the right gear, the right attitude and no mad hair style to worry about.

I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, but it’s very much how it will be!