Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

At what age can you no longer get away with long hair?

60 replies

mamamamama · 22/06/2008 10:12

I'm 36, work at a senior level in a professional firm. I know very short hair suits me because I used to have it. I now have very long hair. I'm toying with having it cut short again because I'm starting to think I can't get away with long hair anymore. And before you suggest I go half way, shoulder length / bobbed hair just doesn't work for me. The problem is that once it's done it's done and I'll be stuck with it because it takes so long to grow out. Realistically it will mean I will never have long hair again.

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 22/06/2008 10:16

I am 37 and still have longish hair. Bra strap length. I do tie it up sometimes during the day as i am a CM.

I like it and no plans to cut it

WideWebWitch · 22/06/2008 10:24

I'm 41 and have long hair. I think it looks ok but if it doesn't no-one is telling me so, including dh. I'd be interested in what people think about when it's no longer appropriate although really I do think women should feel comfortable with long hair whatever their age. Look at this woman and this

harleyd · 22/06/2008 10:26

im keeping mine forever
im gonna be a crazy long haired old woman and two fingers up to anyone who thinks its inappropriate

fullmoonfiend · 22/06/2008 10:28

38 with long layers. I have a pin head and would look even more ridiculous with short hair...

cornsilk · 22/06/2008 10:29

If it's in good condition and well styled it's fine. It's tatty hair that looks awful.

cornsilk · 22/06/2008 10:30

No root visible regrowth past 40 - too much grey.

tinylady · 22/06/2008 10:31

I don't think there is a cut off point for having long hair.
I can't see myself ever having shoert hair and I actually think that long grey hair looks fab

noddyholder · 22/06/2008 10:33

I am 43 and am never going to have newsreader hair like lots of my friends.

MrsMacaroon · 22/06/2008 10:35

i'm liking short when young and longer when older... nothing worse than middle aged women with the generic 'i'm not allowed to look sexy' layered crop.

cornsilk · 22/06/2008 10:36

At the hairdessers I go to there's a lady with beautifil silver grey hair. It's fab. I don't actually think she's old - probably late 40's - but her hair colour is what I'm going for when I get taken over by grey.

motherinferior · 22/06/2008 10:37

Oh, I like older women with seriously short hair. When I'm even older than I am now - I'm currently a reasonably well-preserved 45 year old with a determinedly reddened bob - I shall let it go white and crop it short and hope, rather wistfully, that I resemble the divine Mzz Dench.

giddykipper · 22/06/2008 10:37

Mine is really fine so I can't do shape or layers which I think makes long hair better as you get older - it's just long and straight.

TBH I'm a bit bored of it too, would like it to be short again but I know that's the end of long hair.

giddykipper · 22/06/2008 10:38

Sorry, name changed since OP.

giddykipper · 22/06/2008 10:39

I am talking about an extremely short crop. Hang on, I'll try to find a similar picture.

allgonebellyup · 22/06/2008 10:39

Im nearly 30 and am preparing myself for the almighty snip!

cornsilk · 22/06/2008 10:39

I also like the short funky styles on older women but not everyone can carry them off - have to have the personality and style to go with them.

faireyqueen · 22/06/2008 10:40

Long hair rocks! If you like it, keep it.
I have long hair and dont ever intend going for the 'newsreader' look as someone else put it.
I actually think It makes you look more youthful than short hair, and a lot more glamorous.

unknownrebelbang · 22/06/2008 10:41

I'm 41, and have longish hair that needs a bloody good cut.

I work with a woman in her 50s with longish hair which looks fine.

I don't think it's that you can't get away with long hair as you get older, I do think however that you need a good cut/style, and I think you often find women who have had long hair for years who suddenly have a lot taken off do look years younger, but it may be because it's been styled rather than just left to grow long and lank.

cornsilk · 22/06/2008 10:42

Yes long hair is glam (if well kept) and suggests former sex kitten. When I see a really glam, elegant older woman I often wonder what they'd have been like in their 20's.

MrsMacaroon · 22/06/2008 10:45

i'm liking short when young and longer when older... nothing worse than middle aged women with the generic 'i'm not allowed to look sexy' layered crop.

noddyholder · 22/06/2008 10:47

I agree short looks great on a young fresh face but can look hard and ageing when older.Longer is more forgiving i think

giddykipper · 22/06/2008 10:49

this is the kind of length I'm talking about

noddyholder · 22/06/2008 10:50

that is fab if you are elfin and gorgeous but not if heavier without the pixie features

giddykipper · 22/06/2008 10:54

It does suit me

PuppyMonkey · 22/06/2008 10:57

I'm 41 and have mid length long hair. No intention of having it cut short as it makes me look older. Short hair makes most women look older actually imho.