Why do older women have short hair?
— by Alyson Walsh
This is a question the Guardian asked me, and so I explained that hair changes texture and loses pigment as we get older and shorter hair is easier to manage. Though having said that, not all older women have short hair. And I’m a firm believer in doing (and wearing) what you like, rather than following generic rules.
So, I turned the feature into ‘three of the best ageless hairstyles’. First up, the grown-up crop as worn magnificently by actresses Kristin Scott Thomas and Julie Walters. Next, the tousled bob. Anna Wintour’s power bob may have reigned the fashion world for decades but the looser, choppier version of this classic style feels fresher, right now. Sienna Miller has the hairstyle du jour – maybe the actress is finally getting her own back for being made to wear a wig in the September Issue?
Sienna Miller’s hair is getting shorter |
Then back to the belief that as you get older, hair should become shorter – there are loads of elegant women with fabulous long hair to disprove this notion. In the grey corner we have one of the founders of London Fashion Week, Wendy Dagworthy (who doesn’t love a nifty top knot?).
And in the non-grey corner, Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore:
You can read the full feature HERE including advice on how to create each look, products to use and tips from top colourist Josh Wood, hair stylist to Alexa Chung and Gwyneth Paltrow George Northwood and Andy Heasman artistic director at Rush Hair.
Discussion (27 Comments)
I had long blond hair till I was 42 then it went limp and I cut it all off. My new style leaves me feeling younger; I experiment with different highlights and trends and love my new style. Each to their own…..
- Badinage says:
I am loving Sienna's new tousled shattered bob but she is so beautiful, I do think that length will be perfect for me soon as I see the swift descent of my jowls.
I haven't coloured my hair for over 3 months, I have about three inches of grey and very dark brown hair, ( then dyed light golden brown) hmm, no likey, it would have worked had it been all silvery grey but it's still too patchy. Will no doubt reach for the bottle soon. - Badinage says:
I am loving Sienna's new tousled shattered bob but she is so beautiful, I do think that length will be perfect for me soon as I see the swift descent of my jowls.
I haven't coloured my hair for over 3 months, I have about three inches of grey and very dark brown hair, ( then dyed light golden brown) hmm, no likey, it would have worked had it been all silvery grey but it's still too patchy. Will no doubt reach for the bottle soon. - CathyS says:
I think Kristen's cut is a little severe and has added a few years to her look, I'm afraid. I used to have very short hair for a very long time. I'm very slim, and as I got older, I decided short hair was too harsh for me and made me look like a pin! So I grew it out into a chin length bob. It takes a lot of looking after, as my hair breaks very easily and grows painfully, painfully slowly, but I think it softens my face. Julianne Moore is blessed with a luxurious mane of hair. How jealous am I! I believe we should wear our hair however we feel comfortable with as long as it's clean. There's nothing worse than unwashed hair. I can smell three-day hair a mile off!
- Annie Green says:
Love, love my short hair. Looked like apprentice witch until I decided to take a leaf out of Judi
Dench's book and go short. Now instead of straggly salt-and-pepper I am sharper steel grey. Especially wonderful when travelling. Or caught in rain. - Susan Bowdler says:
Love the short styles, very sharp and elegant; a real statement and so much better than long, grey straggle. If you are blessed with good, thick, strong hair long can look great too. Matter of being honest about your own hair and being brave! Like my hair so much more since I let the grey win (natural, better condition) and keep it short as it's fine.
- susan burpee says:
I have had short hair since high school, but grew it into a bob when I turned 40. I wore it that length until I saw a picture of myself at 45 and thought my bob made me look older. So I had it chopped off again; it was edgier and more me. I think any length hair is great as long as the cut has some pizzazz. But I also think that longer hair needs cutting and styling as much as short hair. Nothing worse than "give-up hair."
- Diana Cloudlet says:
Randomly found your blog and can’t express how I like it! It was so interesting to read your posts and also I’d like to say that you have beautiful photos! I’ll be happy to see you in my blog!)
p.s. new post – how I met Victoria Beckham http://www.dianacloudlet.com/2015/02/victoria-beckham-zip-pouch-met-victoria-beckham.html
Diana Cloudlet
http://www.dianacloudlet.com/ - Val S says:
I love Wendy Dagworthy's style – nice photo! I go back and forth with my hair – when it's short I get tired of it requiring cutting so often, but when it's long it gets flat and stringy. When it's in a bob it can get boring. I guess constant rotation is the answer!
- Joanne says:
Short hair has become very stylish, even for the young. I've worn mine short for quite a while now. I love to change it up from a pixie to an asymmetrical cut. It does depend on the shape of one's face though. For some, a simple bob suits best. Some women can look quite masculine in a short cut. Consult a good stylist on the cut best for you. After all, that is their forte.
- Jennifer Connolly says:
My hair lemgth used to go up and down like and elevator. I finally realized I looked like a man in very short hair so have stayed with my bob for a long time.
- Sarah @ BTL says:
I love Kristen S-T but I agree with Cathy S, her hair is a bit too short and unforgiving in that photo. The 'rules' are all changing now – in that there are no rules, so nice that women can do what they want with their hair. Mine is coloured – until my parting shows a full grey not the mix it grows out in now, and it's a bob – easy and versatile. Who doesn't envy Julianne though?
- Fashion Sabbatical says:
My hair gets shorter as I get older (44) Simple reason: longer hair doesn't work on me anymore, it gets brittle and wirey and down right ugly. Wish I could wear it longer as I had when I was in my mid 20s. I could sit on it, thats how long it was! But now It is cut well in a beautiful bob and I lve it this way.
- Tiffany says:
One commenter said it's about being honest about your own hair and I couldn't agree more. My hair simply does not look good long, and even less so as I get older. So I have a super-short pixie and fortunately it suits my face. I envy women with a mane like Julianne Moore's, but one has to be realistic …
- Kat Ballentine Shepherd says:
I think a lot of older women have short hair because their hairdresser tells them to do so. Just as older women go baby blonde because they are told they will look younger. I think it might be prior general consensus that long hair and sagging skin are droopy and ageing.It's also easier upkeep for color maintenance as well as for potential arthritic issues. I have had new wave short, but I prefer a medium bob. Now I am letting it gray…
- LPC says:
I'm 58 and my hair is now the longest it's been, ever. Even longer than when I was 13, in the late 60s:). I think I might go for shoulder length soon, just to change it up!
- marilyn ackerman says:
Go for it..I am 76 and I have let my hair grow since I have retired. I love it and I get lots of complements. I used to complain about the lighter streaks in my blond hair, but as a lady in church told me. People pay for those streaks. I do have it pinned up for church (most of the time), but at home and a run to the grocery store, I wear it long. Takes while, but worth every bit of trouble. I am a classic dresser so the long hair is not me trying to look younger, it is just what I am comfortable with.
- une femme says:
I've had varying short cuts since my teens, mostly because my hair is so fine and looks lank when longer. I agree, hair length (and color!) should be a matter of personal preference, not age.
- Lady of Style says:
I never had short hair, always long, always the same style. Although, over the years, I wear it shorter. Now I am even considering a change to a short haircut. Will see how brave I am 😉
Annette | Lady of Style
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I'd also add that Sarah Harris at Vogue looks AMAZING with her long grey hair. I have no idea what her age is, but she really suits long grey hair.
- Mantis Hugo says:
Short hair is easy to maintain and they look classy on old women. In order to make the hair look black and lustrous a person has to drink Gooseberry Juice every day. Thank you for this article. I found it very interesting.
- Mimi Mama says:
I'm a fan of long, well maintained hair at any age. If you have the right sort of hair to wear it long, then why not? I've spent the last three years going long, silver grey, AND curly. I just never got the hang of the straightening iron. Gosh. How many over 50 hair taboos have I broken? Also a big fan of the elegant topknot and statement lippy. I swear by good conditioner and Moroccan Oil. The magic combination for me! Mimi x
- Tina says:
My dad says that older women with long gray hair look unattractive. I disagree of course, but maybe this is one reason. Societal pressure. It’s bull. Long, healthy gray hair is gorgeous is the person is able to grow it.
- Deb says:
I am so glad I found this article. I have had so many different styles over the years, from super short to waist length hair, brown to red to blonde. My hair is very wavy and I have worn it straight most of the time. Silly me! I know my hair looks best at the shoulders but now that I’m recently retired I have better things to do than fuss with my hair. When I wore it short it took me a long time to style it. Since the pandemic my hair has grown to the middle of my back and I scrunch it and wear it in a messy bun or cute up do. So much easier. My hair is much healthier because I got rid of the flat iron and curling irons. I still have my blonde, but my inner hippie is coming out and I’m having fun!!!! Do what fits your lifestyle and personal style ladies.
- Brenda says:
When I was young I had a pixie cut myself and my husband loved it. I’ve also had pretty much every length out there.
Currently it’s a layered lob which I curl and I let it go grey during covid. I’m 60 yrs old now. I’ve never gotten more compliments on my hair than I have since I let it go grey, even men !!
I am determined to put in the effort for myself, because years ago I heard a hairdresser comment that the worse thing women do when they get older is cut their hair off.
I do realize that there are many women that can rock short hair as they age but not all.
Do what makes you feel beautiful not what you think others think is beautiful.
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Interesting article Alyson, thank you. I had a short bob for ever and went "shorter" last year. Nothing to do with my age (40+), it was more about realizing shorter was in fact very flattering on me and suits my overall style. I love long and short hair equally on women no matter the age. Thankfully no signs of aging hair here yet:)