Ran across this article that actually talks about women having a choice!

Women keeping tresses

"touching the shoulders" ... but they are talking about short hair!!! ... "anything longer than collar bone just hangs there" ... jeezes.  ::)

Glad the trend is for longer hair but I don't consider hair 4 inches passed the collar bone too long for someone over 50...geesh! :o  >:(  What about Cher, wonder what that guy has to say about her hair.   ;)  ;D

You could say a lot of things about Cher. One thing she's not is typical, she's some sort of a caricature of her former self.

It's really annoying when the media shows off examples of "women growing older and getting better" who are actually stars who've had loads of plastic surgery, have a home gym and trainer, their own full-time kitchen staff and nutritionist, etc.

What I like is the numbers of regular women who are growing their hair long, in spite of pressure to the contrary.

persoanlly i think only young people go well with "real hair cuts". i think old skin just doesn't go with tons of dye and too structured hair ... it just contrasts too much with features of the face that aren't sharp anymore. all the oldies i see (not many) with long hair in an updo or braid just look way younger even if their hair is gray or white.
and i speak now of people of the third generation ... i don't know how you could call most 50 year olds "old" these days. people these days don't resemble at all their mothers when they had the same age.

Pfft!

They seem to define "long" hair as shoulder length. I think that aging ladies who wear their hair in beautiful buns or even down (if it's in good condition) look always so much better than women, who tease their hair with perms and colors. With age, hair is thinning naturally- I suspect that harsh chemical treatments can make it only worse.

Styg, what you said about facial features and hair makes a lot sense. :)

Very interesting, just goes to show how society changes.  No self respecting women in the early 1900s would cut their hair.  Flappers were considerred radical as much for their clothes as their short, short hair  Personally if a woman is willing to keep up with her hair there is no reason she can't have it as long as she wants.  I am also aware that there is a stigma against long hair in the work place unless you are in a creative field.  Women with long hair are considerred less serious and mature.  Left over from the male dominated era when women had to copy men to get ahead?

I will accept "long" as shoulder length in this context.  Although we view long hair at much long lengths, the reality is.....society sees any hair that swings free as long.  

The article at least shows that we are not alone in being over 40 and wanting to leave our tresses uncut.

I always wondered if there was some unwritten rule about women anchors and reporters and in the media not having more than shoulder length hair?  (Although that is changing)  It seems they all have hair above shoulders and dyed.
As for older women with long hair,  about a year ago I saw a woman about 70? I can't tell age- in a fast food restaurant with white hair put up in a beautiful bun.
I wanted to say, let me see how long your hair is, but
of course I didn't, didn't want her to think I was some sort
of nut!

What happens with anchorwomen is that some salon may do their hair for free, in order to get their name in the credits (Joyce's hair by...). So the salon wants the newest and latest cut and color to be on that anchor, in order to attract new clients.

I've never gotten the slightest negative comment about my long hair being unprofessional in the working world. Not that anybody knows how long it is, but I think buns and other updos are taken as more serious and mature than silly, frippy cuts.

I totally agree with you, eKatherine. :)

;D Good Grief I'm ancient !!!

I think it actually annoys some people that I don't mind in the least.  The only look I really don't like is desperation to be something other than what we are.

No one who is delighted with what they are doing with themselves has ever looked ridiculous to me, amusing perhaps, but I love to be amused.

Life is way to short not to please ourselves in such small matters, or big ones for that matter, gabi *feeling philosophical*  ::)

wrote on Jan 17^th, 2005 at 5:56am:

Life is way to short not to please ourselves in such small matters, or big ones for that matter, gabi *feeling philosophical*  ::)

Yep - if we can't be happy with ourselves,  life would be very dull and pointless.

wrote on Jan 17^th, 2005 at 5:56am:

;D Good Grief I'm ancient !!!

I don't think I'm ancient yet but I am old enough to not be overly concerned about what other people think about me and worrying about being part of the crowd.  ;D There are some things that make getting older an advantage.  ;)  :)

I'm quite blessed in the workplace.

In nursing (I've been a nurse more than 1/2 of my 41 year life) your hair has to be away from the face and your patients - so - an updo is a perfect do.  Granted, mine tend to be rather elaborate and stick adorned - but though there are jewelry restrictions for the ears, fingers and wrists - Nothing in the policy for hair jewelry!

Second blessing - In working with the elderly - All of my residents seem to love my hair - and ask me to squat down next to their beds so they can examine the styles at close range.  I even have one lady who wants all the lights on (remember, I work at night) so she can see which sticks I'm wearing each day.  She has even caught me wearing the same pair twice in one week (can't help myself - I DO have favorites, after all) - and she scolds me for the "re-run".  Too funny.  A few quotes from my ladies:"oh, it's so lovely to see a real woman - someone who doesn't think she has to fit in with the men's world by cutting off her hair" , or "oh, dear - you remind me of how I wore my hair as a girl - it's so lovely".

So - though my cousins and sister - (all stylists) have all had fantasy dreams about cutting my hair, and for MANY years kept BEGGING to be the one lucky enough to FINALLY cut it off... I've never really had any true negativity about wearing it long - Not at work - and not really at home.

nighowl

After all my years of short, long, short, medium, layered, etc. I have found the longer hair is really easier to keep looking good.  I don't have time to fuss over shampooing, blow-drying, and curling every day - at least it sure isn't high on my priority list.  Definitely need hair minions to make short hair look good all the time.
Nightowl, I don't know if you've noticed in your workplace, but I have noticed that people who are confined in bed for whatever reason seem to have less "bed head" problems if their hair is long and kept braided etc.  Short hair really gets "bed head" bad :o  I'm a physical therapist and have spent most of my career working with elderly people too.  I expect when my hair is long enough to really do some nice styles it will look much more professional.

you're exactly right, precious locks!
The "poodle perm" or short 'do' always seems to have the ever-present 'bald spot' from the pillow (as hair is not washed daily) which is very difficult to disguise upon wakening.  They cannot tolerate wet hair in the early morning, and no matter how the staff try, their hair often just looks fuzzy or frazzled.  The few of my residents with long hair have lovely up-dos, as the CNA's love braiding their hair and styling it daily. French and crown braids being the most popular styles.  These ladies positively glow each time someone comments on how lovely their hair looks.

What a wonderful career you have!  So important in the lives of the residents!  My folk LOVE their therapy sessions - Many feel it is the highlight of their day - Not only are they strengthening physically and feeling more self-sufficient, But the emotional contact - 1:1 - and the praise for even small accomplishments is so valuable, and positive for them emotionally.  Keep up the GREAT work!

nightowl  

Thanks for your encouragement, nightowl.  I needed that tonight, it's been a lo-o-ong week.
I noticed that about CNA's liking to braid and style long hair.  It really does make a difference - both for the "braidee" and for the "braider".  I think a special bond develops between them and they both glow from compliments on the styles.  CNA's sure could use them, they work so hard and are among the lowest paid staff.

AMEN to that one!!!  

The CNA's have such valuable jobs - not only for the nurses - our right hands, and all - but for the residents.  We have WONDERFUL staff where I work - when they go on vacations - they bring little things back for each of "their" residents.  One year (very cold for us) it was REALLY cold at night - and our city just isn't accustomed to it.  But - 20 degrees outside and insufficient insulation in the old part of the building makes for very chilly ladies.  One of the CNA's on that assignment went down to Tijuana on her 2 days off (about 5-6 hours one way) and bought beautiful, extra dense, soft blankets for each of her ladies - selecting a different pattern for each of them.  They were SO surprised!!!

I was happy to hear that each CNA in our place is receiving a $1.00/hr raise this month!!!

nightowl

wrote on Jan 18^th, 2005 at 2:15pm:

Second blessing - In working with the elderly - All of my residents seem to love my hair - and ask me to squat down next to their beds so they can examine the styles at close range.  I even have one lady who wants all the lights on (remember, I work at night) so she can see which sticks I'm wearing each day.  She has even caught me wearing the same pair twice in one week (can't help myself - I DO have favorites, after all) - and she scolds me for the "re-run".  Too funny.  A few quotes from my ladies:"oh, it's so lovely to see a real woman - someone who doesn't think she has to fit in with the men's world by cutting off her hair" , or "oh, dear - you remind me of how I wore my hair as a girl - it's so lovely". nighowl

Many years back, I worked as a nurse's aid in a facility that was both rehab and long-term care. I always admired the residents who kept their long hair, even if it was thin as a rat's tail and hardly able to be pinned up.  And I got some of the same reaction as you seem to get, that I reminded them of days gone by when women didn't cut their hair.

I still see ladies with fairly thick buns or braids, particularly Mennonite around here. Must be the wholesome living that does it.  ;)  ;D

p.s. I'm new hair, er, here, and am 50 myself!

I read this post a while back, but i didn't remember this until yesterday.

The thing i remembered was that my great grandma had long hair.... i think it was down to her waist. Anyway, i really admired her hair she always wore pretty dresses, with matching ribbons braided in her hair, it was red with some white.

She was 95 when she died last summer, it's true she was 95, but she was very healthy and very stylish..hehe

Anyway, i never thought of her as too old to have long hair, and not anyother "old" women like styg said it makes them look younger

Oh such and interesting article.  I always remember a friend of mine, not knowing my age at the time saying that she thought women should cut there hair after the age of 40. I was about 42 at the time and I am now 56 and as you can see I still have long hair. When I was younger I did think there would be a certain age at which I should cut my hair but now as I get older I am just going to please myself how I have my hair. I love it long and will keep on growing it until......oh I don't know when, maybe I'll never cut it.

Amen, jules. Rock on!

wrote on Feb 14^th, 2006 at 9:24am:

I love it long and will keep on growing it until......oh I don't know when, maybe I'll never cut it.

You took the words right out of my mouth.  ;D

Well, I couldn't read the article (the story moved or something), but I have seen older ladies with long hair (beyond the shoulders).  The woman who taught me how to put my hair in a bun had beautiful gray hair all the way down to her knees.  And there was a woman who worked at my college who had hair that was about as long as mine.  She always had it braided, and it was the most beautiful silver-gray you ever saw.  Every time I saw her I thought, "I hope my hair looks like that when I'm older."   :)  

Wow!  What a great thread.  I'm new here, and almost didn't join up because I'm 55 and thought maybe I'm too old for long hair.  What great encouragement to read all of your posts! ;D

Hi Silvermane, welcome to the site, I thought I was a bit old until I read some of these articles. It teaches you really that you are never too old for anything in life, if you can do it you're not too old eh.

Hi Jule!  Your hair is SO beautiful!!  I have a ways to go before I can even start growing mine out and I need all the encouragement I can get  :)  The last haircut I got (about 8 months ago)  the hairdresser cut the layers then backcombed each layer with a razor comb, so even the layers have layers!  I remember watching in horror as she did it, not knowing what to say.  :o  This thread is wonderful inspiration, and I'm sure I'll return to it again.  Thanks again!

 I have always believed that "older women" look years younger with long hair.  Long hair looks good at any age...period!  Jules is a great example!  Jules looks like she is in her 20's or 30's from behind with her majestic long red hair.    I am sure all you other ladies do as well.
Get it long as long as you can!  You all look wonderful!

Jim

Yep.. I don't care if they call me the "crazy old lady" but I'm keeping my long hair forever.... I don't know, to me, I'd rather be in my "golden years" with a well-styled bun at the nape of my neck than a short frizzed "set" as I've heard them called.  

And all that business about the hair "just hanging there" well, no, it doesn't, when you have it all wrapped up!  I like hearing things from older women who see my hair, and one woman, when I had fashioned my hair into one of Rapunzel's neat little hairstick styles "The Victorian" said to me that she thought it was so nice that women still style their hair.

I think "style" by todays hairdo lingo means "cut"

I think "style" by todays hairdo lingo means "cut"

That is soooooo true!!

I've just turned 20, and I can honestly say, that I am the only girl in my social group who has what i call long-long hair. All of my other girly-friends have either short hair, or hair that only *just* touches their shoulders, and then they say how they desperately need it cutting. I think its such a shame, as I think there's nothing nicer than seeing beautiful, long and healthy hair hanging loose in the sunshine!  ;D
I definitely have no plans in cutting my hair, and a huge part of me thinks that apart from having trims, I don't think I'll ever have more than an inch cut off ever again. I too love the concept of being an older woman with my hair in a bun. There is just so much you can do with your hair to make it pretty and interesting, with twists, braids or hair jewellery, and thats something you can't acheive with a "perm and set".

I agree. Alos when you're past menopause well..the long hair helps. I notice that older women tend to look alot like men with short hair. It doens't help at all. I'm guessing they don't realize this . Since the media says it ages them to have long locks....right...

It is really sad that alot of people think that when a person gets older, they should cut all of their hair off. I personally think long hair is alot better than a short, chemically treated hair cut, like many of you here do too. I know an older lady who had hair down to her waist, but all of a sudden cut it off because she said that when she turned 50, she would get her hair cut. It made me sad, I know it is good to have change sometimes, but I looked up to her as kind of a long hair mentor. Anyways, when I get older, I am going to wear my hair long, because to me it is like a badge of wisdom and perserverance. It shows you have been through the rough times, and still did not cut your hair to please others.

I may be a little late on this thread, but I just joined.  I am 59 years old with waist length gray hair.  I decided to let it grow in late 2001.  No more color, or major cut.  I trim the ends to keep it blunt about every three months.  As long as I am in my right mind, I'll keep it growing!

wrote on Aug 25^th, 2006 at 10:04pm:

I may be a little late on this thread, but I just joined.  I am 59 years old with waist length gray hair.  I decided to let it grow in late 2001.  No more color, or major cut.  I trim the ends to keep it blunt about every three months.  As long as I am in my right mind, I'll keep it growing!

We have no rules regarding bumping up old threads.  Glad to have your input.  You've got just a couple of years on me, and I've got a few inches of growth on you.   Power to US!  Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!

Wow, this is a subject near and dear to my heart, since I just turnd 45 on the first of the month! I have stuggled with this question for a few years now? However, I keep thinking of my Grandmother, who up until she was put into a nursing home at age 96 had long hair past her behind! She lived to be 98 and 6month of age. She always braided her hair at night and wore it in a bun in the daytime. I have vivid memories of her sitting three of us girls down at once and braiding a braid that would last! As I recall, I do not remember her graying until she became ill either?
Goes to show ya, I should have kept that long hair.... now it is harded to grow,but well worth it! I think hair is a right that each of us has and how long it should be, age shouldn't  matter! Naturegirl :) :)

Naturegirl, I just turned 45, too!   :)  My birthday was on January 1.  I started growing my hair in 2005 and I'll be letting mine grow to terminal length.  I agree wholeheartedly with what you said about age and the length of one's hair not mattering.  Happy belated birthday!  

Happy Belated Birthday to you too! I too, started my grow out process in 05. I am with you on terminal length! I knew I had made a BIG mistake when I cut my hair right out of highschool! Ya,know wanting a more "sophisticated"
look? It has been a yoyo game ever since! I think this is a great place and tool, to have somewhere to go where others understand! And can be an encouragement to what we too can achieve if we stand firm.
I think all those people that nix oour grow out are really affraid they will loose money! I know I am lookng into freeing myself of coloring my hair with chemicals? When I brought this up to some hair pros,they promptly nixed the idea saying, "Oh,your too young for that!" I have decided I am proud to be 45. I feel pretty good and thank my Creator am still in good health! Hope you feel good about the 45 mark too! My grandmother always said, "I'm proud of each gray strand and I earned each and every one of them!" She was a hoot!  Good luck with the growing! naturegirl

I personally think so many ladies now cut their hair, because the thinking is that long hair is "aging", that there is a reverse effect.  Long hair seems youthful, because so many young people have it.  

Wow, there must have been something in the air in 2005, because that is when I decided to grow out mine as well!  February as a matter of fact.  

Last summer I was contacted by my current teaching partner, who wanted to touch base before we started our jobs in Egypt.  It turned out that her mother lived within 5 miles of my mother-in-law, so we were able to meet at a restaurant.  I was trying to describe what I was wearing when I realized I was being stupid, and I said "I have long gray hair."  

My teaching partner confessed a few months ago that when I said that she immediately thought of a witch and said to herself, "Wow, she must be a real hag."  Nothing could be further from the truth, though I do say it myself.

I think long hair makes a women look younger, and i know that where i live long hair is shoulder length to bsl and to be honest anything longer than that gets called "it just hangs there and does nothing for you"

My mum has a few greys she is 44 so i am praying i wont get lots of greys until after 50 because i have only just got my hair colour back. I will most definatley have long hair when i am older proberly tailbone but nothing above bsl.

As my features are aging and I no one's fooled anymore (but they're more respectful and kinder) by my height, I find that I increasingly prefer my hair up rather than down.  It's those nasal-labio lines and the dropping of the cheek "padding" that's aged me. :(  I still think that long hair is a far better option than short hair.  No one says it has to hang loose if that doesn't suit one's features.  That's an individual judgement too.  I just feel better about my face appearance with my hair up.

I am 58 and usually wear my hair loose.  It looks okay as long as it's not hanging in my face.