Does long hair have an age limit?

I have a lot of memories of my mum saying things like "that woman is too old to have hair that long" and similar things like that. I'm not sure I agree although I do find old ladies with really long hair slightly creepy but that might be from too many scary movies lol.

So I am now 31 and I have really long hair...it comes way down my back, about 3/4 inches lower than the base of my boobs. And as silly as it sounds i've been wondering lately if people are thinking "she's too old to have long hair" :( I don't feel old lol. Although it does annoy me when i'm instructing and it gets stuck under my sweaty armpits lol.

So what do you guys think? And I won't be offended if you all yell "cut it off"... :ninja:

I am 35 and just had my long hair cut off again. I have even gone back to having bangs in the front :redface: It was all one length. I had it all cut off to what was meant to be shoulder length a couple of years ago, and it ended up being just under my ears eek. So I grew it long again, till last Monday. It has gone into shock with all the weight out of it, and is hard to manage at the moment LOL

Oh I don't think it is weird either for old people to have long hair.

If you like it keep it!

Ya never too old for anything. Ultimately I say throw the "rules" out the window, as long as your happy and confident in what you're wearing/how you look then you will look awesome.

I don't think so. But I did cut mine off because I thought I was getting too old for it - but mainly because it had always been long. I've been getting it cut shorter and shorter as the last couple of years have progressed, but I can't afford to do it all the time so it starts to get long again :lol: It's sitting on my shoulders now. I don't think it's an age thing, if you like it long, then what does it matter? For me, it had just been the same forever and I felt like I was hanging onto teen years and needed a change.

Hope that all makes sense!

Lol my Mum says the same thing! So she now has short hair.

But I don't think it's an age thing, I think it's entirely dependant on the person - their face shape, hair type and style. Could you imagine Jane Seymour with short hair? Would be weird!

Personally, when I'm older, I'll be trying to avoid the 'standard old lady haircut' that they all seem to go for! (And yes, my Mum has pretty much gone for that style)


PS: You're 31, and trying to say you're old?? Tut tut lol

I've heard the same "rule" C-Q. Without causing offence to any members older than myself I think it's a rule from my parents generation. I also know what you mean about more mature women with long hair but my mental image is that the 'creepiness' comes from having long hair that is in bad condition, straggly, split ends, messy etc. Actually, come to think of it, that's a bad look no matter what your age ;)

FWIW I don't think 31 is too old for long hair. I had hair almost to my waist at your age (doesn't that make me sound old :) ). I wore it up most of the time. I cut it all off while pg and gradually got it really short right before I had DS. Now I'm growing it again and TBH hadn't even thought about the age thing.

I think if you're comfortable, stay as you are. If it bothers you for other reasons, then change it. I wouldn't worry about the age thing. It's more important that long hair is looked after and cared for.

LOL I haven't ever thought about it...

But since I'm 34 - must go get out the clippers and shave the lot off ;)

LOL! im sorry but i have never heard that! I'm so jealous of women with long hair, my hair goes ratty and awful when it gets to a certain length so i keep it at a medium length.

Theres a lady who works at hairhouse warehouse near my work who has GORGEOUS long black hair, its so thick and is stunning! I would kill for hair like that! Unfortunately im stuck with ratty fine hair!

Kept nice long hair looks great on all ages!

I actually agree that MUCH older women should have shorter hair and not long hair. I am not sure what age that should be but I have seen some very very old women with long locks pulled back into a bun and thought "you really should just go short" My MIL has long hair and she is in her late 60's and I think it still looks fine, she does style it well so that makes a difference. My mother has been keeping her hair just above shoulders and I think she looks like a mushroom head it doesn't suit her at all, I think sh elooked nicer and more youthful with a bit of extra length.

You love are a gorgeous age. If you wanted to opt for a super funky short do I say go for it before you get too old for a FUNKY CUT. If you want to keep it long (but feel like you want something different) get some long layers put in so it frames your face.

I am tempted to go boy short again (I am 35) but I have a fatty double chin (no matter what size I am), and because I am preggers and I gain weight when I am BF after baby I need something to hide my flabby chin behind.

Just go with what you feel is right for you.

Nae x

If you like it and are comfortable, keep it. :) I know what you mean tho, but my Nana is 61 and she has hair probably the same length as yours and I don't think she looks creepy ><; I, on the other hand am 23 and I have quite a short concave bob... we're probably a bit backward ;)

My Oma has the longest hair, it's always up in a massive bun and i don't think i'd ever seen it out until we went to a funeral, it's close to her butt :p

I don't know how old she is but imagine quite a large, grumpy dutch woman with a massive lock of blonde hair curled into the tightest biggest bun :rofl:

I am 34 and love long hair but cut mine because it was in bad condition after my last pregnancy. Growing it back again.

I think your hair looks fine as it is CQ. I know what you mean though and I've heard similar comments as well. But I think it really depends on the person. Some women can get away with having long hair as they get older and others really should get it cut short. Personally, I've had long hair but for the past few years I've had it in a really really short pixie style cut. I am toying with it being a fraction longer, but I'm kidding myself that I'll actually leave it like that before cutting it again because it is so thick and heavy and hard to manage when it's long. Plus, I think the older I get, longer hair just doesn't look right on my anymore kwim?

I dont think it has an age limit , I agree with most of the other ladies... but I do feel that as I get older I want a shorter more sophisticatedd look other than my longish messy hair.... I had hair down to my bottom and curly when I married and had my son at 23/24 and now Im nearly 27 I feel I should look older/different.... Other than just the aging skin and grey hair lol so have been thinking about this for ages now .......

Im still undecided as to what im going to do..... :)

Funny enough I was only thinking about this yesterday.
I am nearly 38 (:() and I have really long hair, it is past my waist. I am considering getting a large amount of it cut of because I feel I am getting a little old to have my hair this long, plus I think it ages me to much (just me not my opinion about others)
It does seem to be something from the past generation.


Sent from my iPad with Tapatalk

My mum says the same thing! I just cut mine off though but many of my friends still have long hair and look great. I think much older women in their 60's unless it is in a bun can look a bit odd with really long hair but I think 31 is not too old at all!

I had mine cut quite short when I was pregnant with DD because I thought it would be easier to look after with a baby - it wasn't! I've now grown it long again and find I can always throw it up in a messy bun in need :)

I like my long hair to have some shape in it so I get it thinned and layered.

I don't think there is an age limit for it tho :)

Rach you are NOT old :)

My Mum works with a lady who is in her 60's and she has really long grey hair. It is always pulled back in a ponytail against her neck. No fringe. It looks awful on her. Would be much better with a short style. I have often thought "she's too old to have her hair like that" It ages her alot ! Thats her choice though...

Just wondering what is with the ladies who have really long hair and always wear it in a bun - never wear it out ! Why don't they just have a short hair style ? I don't get it ! Each to their own though !
I realise some have it like that for religious reasons but alot don't !

Rach - if you want to keep your hair long then I think you have quite a few years yet before you are classed as old - but keep in mind that there are alot of stunning older ladies out there with long hair and I think you could be one of them in the future :hug:

Very torn about this one, getting close to 40 and my hair is well below my shoulders. I have had various styles of short hair most of my life, so having longer hair is different for me. Some hairdressers are good with it, but I had one who just wanted to cut it off. I understand why older ladies cut off their hair, but honestly they all look the same. Part of me wants to be the rebellious oldie with the long hair ;) As a teen I was once to told to grow my hair as "girls do not have short hair in this town", so I tend to go opposite way.

Your TOTALLY too old for long hair :P You really shoudl shave it all off, dye it grey, start wearing age appropriate granny clothes and start up knitting :P I saw you wednesday clothes were way to skimpy for a 30+ year old, OMG LOL

In all seriousness you look hot, and if you don't want to change your hair then don't do it :D

I have long hair, and have thought about this for a while. The shortest my hair has ever been is shoulder length, normal is 1/2 way down my back.
2 things of late have become an issue for me, greys and the cost of hiding them LOL.
I simply cannot afford (or justify) $150 + every 6 weeks at the hairdressers.
ATM, I am getting by with making friends do it with supermarket dye (still $30 odd bucks, cause I need 2 packs).
But as I get greyer and greyer (or when my short and curlies turn on me too :D) I am thinking it well may be easier and cheaper to color or hide the grey if it is not too long.
Also maintaining it can be a bit of a chore too.
I guess the reason I have not tried it shorter is that I am too chicken to. LOL

Older women often have thinning hair, and for this reason it is often more flattering to have a shorter cut. However it very much depends on the person. I have very fine hair anyway so I imagine there will be a time when I have to keep it shorter to keep it looking nice, but at 30 I think I'm still pretty free to keep my hair however I want it. And in fact I'm growing it long at the moment :)

Well I'm in trouble if that's the rule :redface: I'm 35 and have long hair, not too far from my bum.
I work in aged care and we have a client who is 83 and her hair is longer than mine. She wears it up in a bun like ~ZaravaFlutterby~ said about her oma.

Oh? So is that part 2 of the rule, long hair on "older" women should only be worn in a bun :p Maybe I should flick the ponytail and start on the bun :D

I think if you're comfortable with it then keep it long :D

first of all we are the same age and i am definitely not old :p

do you like your long hair? if the answer is yes then please remember that what anyone else thinks of you is none of your buisness :D

I hadn't had a hair cut since before dd was born and in that time it's grown a lot (thick dark wavy hair).

At the hairdresser he asked what I wanted and I wanted to keep the length..... But like I said to him....I don't want to look like a little girl. That on a 32 year old can't be good!

He cut and styled keeping it long..... But I still look 32!! I think you can have long hair, but a bit of 'style' makes all the difference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - I wonder what the kids are up to....Better go!

OMG 31 IS NOT OLD!!!! :D
I have heard the same thing and when i was younger thought the age to chop it off would be about 40ish, but hello, I am nearly 40 and have longish hair, and plan on keeping it for a while still.
As long as you have a 'style' I'm sure its great, I just don't think really, really, long hair with no style is a no-no for older (not sure what age that is) women.
Shorter hair can be great too though, it suits some people better!

I too am wondering when 31 became old :lol:

I remember when I was younger my parents friend had hair past her bum and she was pressured to cut it off as she was 'too old' to have long hair, she would have been in her 50's at the time and her hair was completely grey. She cut it to just above her shoulders and it looked great! Much nicer.

I had hair to my bum all of my life and I loved it and was maybe a little to attached! When DD1 was 6 months old (I was 26) I cut it off, to my shoulders and I love it even more, no regrets.

But, in saying that, you are not to old and your hair being long really suits you :D

My great grandma had long hair when I was little (usually in a bun), so if your hair is in decent condition then I don't think there's an age limit.

Mine is getting longer and I wear a bun a lot of the time, but then I do try to look like a teacher at work.

I think as long as your hair isn't feral, ie scraggly, split ends. Its fine.

I know people who are in their fourties and have lovely long hair.

i dont think you are too old at all :)

IMO, the old old old ladies with long straggly unkept grey hair are the ones it looks horrible on.

Oh wow two pages!!! :grouphug: thank you for all your lovely comments ladies! And just to clarify I don't think 31 is old...just wondering if it was too old for long hair...like at some point i';m assuming i'll be too old for jumping on a jumping castle (not yet though ;) ).

It has got me thinking about changing things up though,...I really can't think what would suit me. Any thoughts?? If you don't know what I look like you can add me to Facey :D

go to a good hairdresser, they are the experts :D I use to have really long hair and I got it cut short (above my shoulders) and had it styled. Now it's a once a year thing... my hair grows and then I get it cut and styled :D

I have the opposite problem. I have *always* had short hair, but since chemo I'm losing oestrogen fast and wondering if my shortish hair "ages" me. :(

When you hit menopause your hair can start falling out - it's a female baldness pattern to do with ageing. If that happens a shorter haircut (with volume) can help disguise the hairloss.

More things to look forwards to, ladies ...

I don't think your age is relevant - more what suits your face shape. I do think that as you age your hair changes texture, and your face changes appearance too and sometimes long hair can look a bit severe, while a shorter cut can be softer and more flattering.

If you have healthy hair and it suits you long, who cares what your age is. I'm almost 41 and grew my hair (again) after DD2 was born 3 years ago because it was so much easier on those tough days to just throw it up in a pony tail. I was starting to feel a bit frumpy though and so today got it all cut off into a short gamine cut and damn it looks good! It made my hairdresser's day too when I said just take it all off!!

I don't think there's an age limit - I think there's a hair health limit.

If it's still thick and glorious - live it up!

My mum still has thick strong hair, and it's only been in the last year that she's started letting it go grey, and she's cut it from mid back length to just below the shoulder, and I think she's going shorter again soon.

I'm 30, and my hair is longer than in my avvy :)

Having turned 40 this year. my hair has been the longest I think ive ever had it - halfway down my back so im going to see how it goes. It is fine though so I dont see me keeping it for long, plus I get sick of it and will prolly trim, cut a few inches off.

I def will have to go shorter when Im older. I remember my grannie always had short hair and it was balding in patches. She would put those plastic curlers in to make it fuller, poor thing.

My hair is straight as, whereas my Mum has curly , long hair, think Nicole Kidman. She is 60 now. Touch wood, i havent got any greys yet. I said to hubby as soon as I get a few greys, thats it, I'm colouring it more often. (good excuse).

I think that long hair can be aging. It does depend on the hair and the face but often a few layers around the face or few centimeters off can really knock years off your look.
I think the biggest mistake that lots of women make is sticking with the same hairstyles as they age. Often the style that looks great in your 20's in not a great style for your 30's or 40's. Not just cut but colour too. The great thing about hair is that it always grows back so you can experiment and if you don't like it you can just regrow or restyle it.

Without having read any responses I reckon that long hair can look as terrific on a 40, 50 or 60 year old as it can on someone much younger. By the same token, long hair can look as dreadful on a 20 year old as it can on someone much older. I guess I'm saying that it's something that can probably only be based on an individual basis, IMO.

What AndiE said

My SIL is 25 and has long hair and it looks dreadful - mostly because she has really thin hair and has tried to pad it out with extensions and its just...so bad...I don't even...:shakehead:

I agree its down to the individual, but I'll admit if I see an older woman in her 60's or 70's with bum length ratty hair I'll think 'she's too old for that' but if I see someone in their 20's with ratty bum length hair I just think 'urgh cut it or trim it or something.' Maybe its just more that if you're going to have long hair, take care of it no matter what your age?