I could never figure out why some guys go to all the trouble to grow their hair out and then wear it in a pony tail every day. I think that guys can wear their hair in many of the same long and loose styles that women do without appearing feminine. One example would be the way that Liam Neeson (http://www.space-debris.com/stwars_neeson_quigon.jpg) wore his in Star Wars I.

I notice that the posts on guys with long hair get a lot of views but few comments. What gives?

Welcome Bill!

I agree that guys could wear their hair more different ways.  The men I know with hair that is to their shoulders or longer, admit they don't really know what to do with their hair.  I have tried to show them how to braid it and do a half-pony tail for some variety.  I guess we just need more guys willing to be brave and spend some time on their hair styles.

I can't say why there aren't more responses to the guys posts - maybe you can help change that trend?  8)

I think that it is up to women to let men know what they like. What are your thoughts on the subject?

Hi Bill,

  I don't know that it's up to women to let men know what they like. I think a guy should wear his hair the way he likes. The same way I feel about women. I spent alot of my younger years wearing my hair long because the men in my life liked it that way. At one point I hacked it all off, only to discover I wanted my hair long for me. So that is why I have long hair. On the other hand, my 17 yo son has long hair. Longer than mine. His father(we are divorced) hates it. My son sees it as an expression of who he is. I encourage  him to have his hair the way he likes it...although I do encourage him to take good care of it and that he can vary the way it looks. I really like the Liam look too. A nice braid or multi-banded is nice too. He most often wears it pony-tailed I am sure because it is quick and easy.

I think that modern society has sort of a stigma about men having long hair. What do you think. How do people seem to react to your having long hair? I mean it common for people to tell a woman she has beautiful hair, what about a man?  

The one thing that I think is sad is when anyone has long hair and it is not cared for.  

Bill;
Believe me, I do tell people what I think  :-X But I also think that a person needs to be happy and comfortable with themselves.  I have longer hair because I want it.  It is nice that my hubby also likes it, but when I am no longer happy with my long hair, I will have it cut.  The same should be for you.  :)

To: BB & Jennak

I think that you misunderstood where I was coming from. As women, you are allowed to wear long hair. Men, on the other hand, are not--or at least most men are made to feel that that they may not wear their hair long. This is reinforced on TV, the movies and in many cases the work site. I think that this is one case where, no matter how much pressure society in general places on men, if women openly let men know that they like them in long hair, they will wear their hair long--and in whatever styles women prefer.

To give you an example of what I mean: I was out with a couple of friends of mine (all short hairs) a week or two ago and suddenly this really good looking woman sitting next to me starts making flattering comments to her girlfriends about my hair. She did so in such a way that all the guys that I was with could hear her. At first I wasn't sure what to think but the more that she went on the more I began to enjoy it. The guys that I was with were absolutely stunned. Believe me... There is nothing more that a guy with long hair (or that wants to wear his hair long) likes to hear than women telling him that they also like guys with long hair.

There are a whole pile of guys out there that would like to wear their hair long but are afraid to and it is women like you that can make the difference. I guess that what I'm trying to say here is that it will take much more than just a "do it if you want to" approach by women to get men to wear their hair long--It will take a "do it because I like it" attitude.

Thanks for your responses. I am really enjoying talking to you!

Bill

P.S. I have been working on a website on the subject. If you would like to check it out the URL is:

http://www.geocities.com/bill2003x

Bill;
I understand your issues with how society reacts to your long hair.  With women over 40, society seems to think they should all cut their hair into short little bobs and color the heck out of it.  "Society" doesn't not necessarily accept an older woman with long hair, and certainly not with grey hair!!!!!

I think we all need to hear some encouragement from time to time, especially when we choose to be a bit off track from the mainstream.  Men with longer hair, and especially older men with longer hair has not been an accepted norm for a long time.  However, it is more acceptable now than it was in the 50's - so we've come a long way in that regards.  

I will continue to give compliments to anyone that has hair that catches my eye - including men with long hair.  

Looks like you have a great start on a web page for men - good luck!  I look forward to "chatting" with you more.

Since I'm in my forties and have some gray hair too, I've decided to keep it around shoulder length or a bit longer. Any suggestions? Do you know of any sites that show pics of different types of layered styles?  

Hi, Bill.  Sorry I don't know of any web sites or places to refer you, but I do have some comments.

I have always liked longer hair on men, but especially if it looks tidy, which I think should be true of any gender.  Keeping ends trimmed and hair in good health is probably most important.  I agree with the previous comment made about unkempt hair - if it looks like someone is wearing a fright wig they should start over and take better care of it.

Yesterday in the grocery store I saw a young man with what I found to be a very attractive hair style.  It was braided, the end of the braid being about at the bottom of his ribcage, if that makes sense. (I am trying too hard NOT to say that it was longer than bra length and shorter than waist length, because it doesn't come across as a manly way to put something  :D)  BUT rather than just a head full of hair in a braid, the long  portion was everything from each temple up to the crown, then back to the occipital knob.  The long hair was pulled back and the braid started fairly low.  The braid was nice and thick, there was plenty of hair in it.  Below the temples, and running along the sides then back to the area below the occipital knob, it was trimmed neatly, only long enough to not allow the scalp to show through.  I was actually surprised at how good this style looked. It had the effect of making him look not only handsome, but Well-Groomed, which always impresses.  It also appeared that if he chose to wear his hair down, one would not ever see that the bottom rear portion was trimmed - it would just be long and flowing and might even look very much like the Liam Neeson Jedi style.

My cousin used to have long hair, just BSL.  It was very fine in texture, but there was a lot of it, and it was a striking color - women pay BIG $$ to make ours look like his!  He would occasionally have me or another nearby female relation french braid it after he washed it.  Once it dried, he would finger rake it and it was one of the handsomest heads of hair I have ever seen.

More power to you guys!  When you get comments, remember that women used to hear the same sort of thing for wearing britches instead of dresses, and eventually society came around.  I think it's coming around to longer hair for men, also, and I think that is GREAT.

Lilly Dale:

Sorry to take so long getting back to you but I haven't checked in for a while.

It seems that guys are beginning to realize that they have options other than just a pony tale. I was out the other night and saw something that kind of surprised me. The manager of the restaurant that I was at not only had long hair but he was wearing it in a Jennifer Aniston style. Here is a link to the one he was wearing:

http://bohemians.org/~andy/jennifer.shtml

The funny thing is that he did not appear to look "feminine" as a result of it. I guess that now that guys are being accepted with long hair (although it is still not the norm) they are becoming more comfortable wearing it the way that they want.

Your comment about your cousin wearing a french braid is interesting. I'm not sure exactly where the line is between what a feminine style is and what is not--length is not even an issue as far as I'm concerned. Below is a link to a guys site that shows numerous ways that he wears his hair--braids, pony tails, straight down, updo's... I guess that the real issue here is: What looks good and what doesn't. Let me know what you think of the various styles. I am looking forward to comments from all the women at the board here on this one!

http://www.kolumbus.fi/leino.jarkko/Hair/index.html

Wow, that guy's site shows more hairstyles  than many women's sites.  Some of his styles are too feminine for my tastes (on a guy), but who am I to judge?

I like the french braid, the banded pony tail, half up/half down, the twin braids that start low and behind the ears, single braid, the curly/wavy down, and just plain down on guys.  I'm undecided on a bun on a guy - I think a low bun, almost at the nape could work, but buns that are up higher on the head I'm not sure of.  The high pony tails and braids are too "little girl" for a guy (unless that is the look you want!)

Well that is just my 2cents worth.  Which styles do you like or want to try, Bill?

Bikerbraid:

I don't know why but somehow I just knew that you would like the braids. As to which styles I would wear that would depend on what my girlfriend liked. I guess that I would wear any of them that she wanted around the apartment but I'm not sure if I would go out in all of them--it would depend on how much pressure she put on me.

As for my own likes... The straight down look is my favorite and I'm definately with you on the the twin braids that start low and behind the ears (both the long and short versions). I also like the high single pony tail and braid. I think that you're probably right about the high double pony tails and braids but could probably be talked into them. The French braid is not one that I would have picked out but your comments and Lilly Dale's make me think that I would be willing to try it. I would have no problem with the one on the 4th page (wearing the red shirt).

The various buns and other styles that are worn up high are not ones that I would go for. I don't like the banded pony tails either. I like long hair and want it to show. What do you think of the tails held back with the big barrettes? I think that they look okay.

Since I wear my hair in a layered cut most of these styles are out of the question although when its longer I can occassionally get a halfway decent pony tail.

I think the big barrette can look OK if the barrette is simple.  A leather covered or wood barrette would look very nice holding back hair.  I think the thicker the hair, the better as far as the barrette goes.

You really should re-think the french braid - it is great for holding back hair of different lengths.  The tie off could be a piece of leather for a "manly" look.

A good way to get comfortable with new styles is to wear them around the house/apartment.  You will then find out how well the "hold" or stay in place and you get used to seeing yourself in the style, then one day you just forget and walk out of the house.

Which of those styles does your girlfriend like or would like to see you wear?

We've never really talked about other styles, probably because with the layered cut that I have I don't think that I could really wear it any other way. I guess that the solution would be to let it get longer and give it a try. Do you have any idea how long the layers would have to be to make a decent French braid? I like keeping my bangs short do you think that makes a difference. Most of the French braids that I've seen seem to include the bangs.

I'm kind of surprised that nobody else has made any comments on this topic. From the counter, it seems that quite a few are checking it out.

I don't know why the others aren't checking this out.  I rather enjoy long hair on men and am happy to give you my feedback/opinion. (Of course, you can take it or leave it too!   :D)

A french braid doesn't have to include the bangs.  I don't have bangs, so of course, all of my hair would be pulled back into the braiding.  I know french braids are used when growing out bangs as well.  A french braid can be started very close to the front hairline or as far back as you want.  If you have bangs to include, you would probably want to start at the top of the head or closer to the front hair line to make sure the hair gets braided in securely.

The only way you will know what will work is to try it!  Be creative!

Right now mine is about shoulder length but since it is a layered cut anyway short bangs aren't an issue. If I let it get longer do you think that it would be an issue? I don't see many long haired guys with short bangs.

I don't see many guys with short bangs and long hair other than the mullet-style cuts.  If you are going for hair longer than your shoulders, I would think you would want to grow the bangs out, even if they are shorter than the rest of the hair.

BB.

I really hate the way that my bangs look as they grow out--even after they are long enough to put behind my ears. After a three or four inches of growing straight, the waves kick in and then it looks horrible. Of course if I let it get long enough for a braid or ponytail this would no longer be an issue... I'll have to think about that one.

I tried sending you an instant message yesterday. I'm not sure if I went about it the right way though. Have you recieved it yet?

I think everyone hates growing out bangs - myself included.  Guys probably have a harder time as you probably wouldn't want to pull them back into a cute barrette on top of your head or wear a headband, which is what us gals do when growing them out.  

I see a lot of guys wearing scarves tied tightly on their head, this could be one way to hold the growing out bangs out of the face until they get long enough.

I didn't get any messages, sorry.  

Okay, now for my two cents. I love the loose long hair, but it's not always practical. The basic pony tail, the banded pony tail and the  single braid(whether french or not) are great.Oh also, the part up part down. Love that!  I think, just my humble opinion, that the other dos are a bit two feminine. At least for my taste. That updo it better than mine :'(

Sticking my head in while I have time to take a quick breath...

I agree with Jenna *exactly.*  Love it long and down, and the other styles work for me as well.  From an attraction standpoint, I don't like femme styles on men, but don't mind them at all on men who aren't trying to attract my particular sex ;)

I've been working on a site about the subject and was wondering if you guy's would mind helping me out? The URL is:

http://www.geocities.com/longhair2003x/

The site is not complete yet but feel free to leave your comments in the guestbook. If you have any suggestions to make, your ideas would be more than welcome. My e-mail address is:

Bill2003x@yahoo.com

No comments at all...? :(

You´ve created a very intersting site,I really like your hairdos !My favourite is your french-braid pic,though -very cool ´do. :)

Hey Bill,
            I totally agree with u, long hair should be an choice for men. I was at the mall the other day when a guy walked by his hair was a golden blonde with white-blonde streaks. It was down to his waist! It was awsome looking he had a half ponytail that was in a fish tail braid. If I was so jealsous of his hair! The women loved it, he had one on each arm, with this one fingering his hair! :)

My hair is about mid back length (Wavey blonde/flame, extremely thick, it looks like rope when i plait it :lol: ), and i get so sick of just tying it back (not to mention that it shreds my hair something chronic), so lately i've been tying it into some sort of a simple bun and jamming some hair sticks (erm, sanded-down chopsticks he he) like an X into it.

I sometimes plait it, or leave it out (over my shoulders, because i hate having hair in my face), tie it back with a few ties (usually four or five).

So there you go, a long haired guy that tries different things with his hair (actually, i own a purple velvet skirt too, but that's a different story, the ladies seem to love it... :err: )

Kegan

Hey, the first hairstick I ever saw was a guy's!  And I actually thought the tailored skirt look for men they tried to establish in the early 90's was fabulous.  When it didn't catch on I figured I'd have to satisfy myself with admiring a man in a kilt, which I *love*!

Welcome!  Hmmm, the purple velvet skirt sounds like it could be an interesting story - care to share it?

Sounds like you could use a few tips on being gentle with your hair -  :-/  hang around here a bit and read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Long Hair for a few ideas.  Susan has some great hairsticks that would look great in your hair under ChapStix - you might want to check them out.

I might also suggest checking out Bunjii ponytailers for another way to put your hair in a ponytail.  

Thanks for the welcome ;D

Ha ha, yeah, I'm tired of pants and a shirt... i want to wear something interesting. Bring in the man-skirts and floor length capes and cloaks ;D

The bunjii hairties look awesome, and the Adirondack chapsticks look amazing... but alas, I'm in australia, so it makes it a little difficult to get nice things like that :)

The hair's pretty long, its just above my lower ribs in the back... but my hair is so damn thick, i seriously can't run my hands through it unless i've just conditioned it.

Plus male pattern baldness is soon to set it ha ha  ;D

Don't be so quick to assume places won't ship "down under".  I know that LongLocks does ship internationally and so does Bunjii - just ask about the shipping charges (granted they would be more than in the US, but if you plan your purchases, it can be worth it).

Capes and cloaks are great.  Skirts.....well, I personally don't like wearing them myself.  I do like long dresses (believe it or not, they can be cooler than shorts in the summer).  Manskirts, well, you may have to be the trend setter there!  Go for it!

From the description of your hair, I don't think MPB is in your near future!  :D

The two skirts I own are floor length... so they aren't mini skirts or anything like that ( *phew* ;D ) I've got a floor length black velvet cape with a hood too... it doesn't get much use because it's daaaamn hot here, but it's cool when i do get the chance to wear it.

Yeah, the problem isn't shipping, it's obtaining a credit card that's the problem. I use money-orders for net purchases usually, because no bank in their right mind would ever give me a credit card ha ha.

wrote on Apr 26^th, 2004 at 2:45pm:

the Adirondack chapsticks look amazing... but alas, I'm in australia, so it makes it a little difficult to get nice things like that :)

We have several customers in Australia, we ship worldwide!  We accept international money orders payable in U.S. funds as well, in addition to VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. We also accept personal checks, but they must be drawn on a U.S. bank.  

If you'd like to see all the countries we've shipped to, there's a list at the top of the Kudos page, which can be accessed from the link below:

http://www.longlocks.com/kudos.htm

I love it when I get to add to that list, LOL!  I need to get a map for the studio so I can stick pushpins in it :)

I think wearing different styles are neat. Besides pony tails, high and low, I like french braids, single down the middle and one on each side that comes together in the back.

I'm seeing a guy who had waist length hair all his life, but cut it off to make an animal-related job easier...
but I'd definitely prefer he wear it long and loose.

Anais

I think being able to wear percieved feminine styles a heterosexual male displays you are confident in your sexuality, and you do not care what other people think about you.

A guy who has the guts to wear long hair is usually more confident than his short haired counter parts. He sees his hair as a possession to be cared for and treasured.

All across the world the historcal norm was long hair for both sexes. It only came with the advent of WWI and the industrial revolution, that reviled individuality that men started wearing their hair super short or above the collar.

http://www.geocities.com/bill2003x/

As long or short as they want.

My hubby had thick, curly, dark brown shoulder length
hair when we married!! he had better hair than me!
And a dark beard.  Now he keeps it short, because he has
thinning/bald patches on top.  I loved him with long hair!

I know a few guys with long hair, and they're happy with it, and have it because they do. They feel like it. Same for me, I wanted to try it out, I like it, so I'm keeping it. And most of my friends, guys or girls, like my long hair. Sure the guys don't stroke their fingers through it, which I actually don't want, but if I were to ask most of my friends if I should get a "normal" haircut, 95% would say "No! Your hair is awesome!" or something along those lines, and pretty much every girl would tell me not to cut it either, for whatever reason, whether they like mine, or just like guys with long hair. I also agree some guys are afraid to wear their hair long, because they hang out with all short-haired people. Now I do hang out with long-haired guys, but when I'm with a group of friends with all short hair, and even with girls who I have longer hair than (there are quite a few I know or have seen), I don't feel any weirdness. I think guys who want long hair are going to think that weirdness is going to be all around them, and it will if you think it'll happen. It might, but I say don't let other people control you. If your friends wouldn't be your friends because of your hair, why do you want to be their friend?

So I say guys should wear their hair however it suits them, and not bother caring what society thinks. It's what I do, and that's how I get through life everyday thinking, not just for long hair

As for how I wear it, I wear it down a lot, but I definitely enjoy putting it up. I love all styles, braids, buns, ponytails, pigtails (now that's brave; it's not everyday you see that)

 I agree that us longhaired men should be free to wear our hair any way we choose.  Personally for me, I always wear my waistlength mane in a ponytail or a braid in public.  I seem to be too shy to wear my mane loose in public in my area.  I wish I felt free enough to do that, because it would really blow people's minds.
I have worn it down in other cities like Chicago, etc.  

I wonder why I feel so self-conscious about letting it down in public?  How do I get past that?  I love showing anyone that loves long hair pictures of it down.
Any suggestions??????

Jim

well,how about a top bun?  Part of your hair is up and the rest is down?  Or maybe braid the top part in a single braid(like for a top bun) and the rest is down and loose?  Experiment,Blondestorm!!! :)

Blondestorm - You should wear your hair down PROUDLY!  Maybe start out with just short trips like to the grocery, etc.  Or wear it with just the top portion braided and the rest loose.  Come on - you can do it!

 You lovely ladies are soooh brave!  A top bun would be cool!   I once wore it down in the local grocery store, and I almost stopped grocery store traffic.  It seemed everyone was staring at me the whole time!  You know......a man with blonde hair to his butt loose!
I need courage, boldness, daring, etc.!!!!!!!!

Jim

I absolutely adore men of any age with long hair so long as it is in good condition, even grey hair so long as it isn't whispy. Who cares what society dictates, be individual.  If more men had the courage to just say to heck with public opinion there would be far more men with long hair and the better I would like it. It is not a sign of femininity, far from it, it shows how strong their character is to grow it. Though I suppose men suffer from the same sort of thing as women suffer from when society expects us all to be stick thin. We should all be allowed to do what ever makes us happy so long as we don't hurt other people and long hair never hurt anyone.  As for styles they should have, I like it loose or in a pony tail personally but then I do prefer to see women with long hair wearing it loose too, just to show it off if nothing else. I wear my hair loose all the time and get so many compliements, particularly as I haven't got any grey yet.

As far as age goes for women with long hair, I was told I should cut my hair in my forties, well, I am now approaching 57 and still have it long, it is just to my waist now and I have no intention whatever of cutting it until I choose to.

Amen!