Chick Stuff - Rockin' My Emmylou Hair

Friday, April 23, 2010
So my au naturale silver hair is finally starting to get longer. Not quite rockin' it like my silver haired mentor, Emmylou Harris, but it's getting there.

Which brings us to today's question: While realizing that Emmylou Harris is one of those rare women who actually got better looking as she got older (and she was no slouch as a younger woman, either), how appropriate is it for middle aged women with silver hair to wear longer styles? For a normal human who does not have access to stylists before they're seen in public, does wearing a long, layered style like my girl Emmylou make you look older, like you're trying too hard, more beautiful, more chic?
Inquiring minds NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THEY SPEND ANY MORE TIME GROWING THEIR HAIR OUT, Y'ALL.


Sorry about the quality of my photo. Really, really sorry. My hair is actually an inch or so longer than in that photo.

19 comments:

Alex said...

I tend to prefer most women with longer hair. If it is well taken care of then it looks very nice. My problem is those women who have the long hair and never do anything with it.

Mostly I would say to go with what is convenient for you, and what the Smart Man likes to see you in since really, everybody else isn't important enough to matter.

Gristle McThornbody said...

A while back, I opted to quit dying my hair to make myself look 20 again (insert hysterical laughter here). I can only offer my opinion that short, really short, boy short hair is my style (or non-style) of choice. Spike it up, slick it down, or go with the baby owl look on festive occasions.

I have considered growing mine out long enough to pull back REEEAAAALLLLYYYYYY tightly to give myself a mini facelift, but that would be the only reason.

I think the only women, young or old, who should stay away from long hair around their face are those who have weak, jowly jawlines, and you don't. Your hair is nice and thick and you've got the face for it - go for it!

Besides, your hair is like your uterus (eewww), your domain.

Thordr said...

Personaly, as a guy I enjoy longer hair on women, especially in the 40+ crowd, it tends to be distinguished. Of the few in that demographic that I have asked, or was told, it was cut short for conviences, not appearance. And a hearty head nod to Mrs. Bitch about it being your hair, so do it like you wish.

Stacey said...

Conventional wisdom used to be that if you were over 40 your hair shouldn't be longer than your jaw line. That is not true anymore. You should wear your hair however YOU like it and it looks good on you. With the right cut, any length hair should work. http://hubpages.com/hub/4-Cool-Websites-How-Would-You-Look-With-A-Different-Hair-Style might be a good place to look to see what might look good with your face shape. Hope this helps.

Eric said...

For a normal human who does not have access to stylists before they're seen in public, does wearing a long, layered style like my girl Emmylou make you look older, like you're trying too hard, more beautiful, more chic?

Yes.

But seriously: some women rock the short 'do and some women look gorgeous with long, flowing tresses. Either way, a woman can look like she's trying too hard with any style if she is, in fact, trying too hard, and a woman can look beautiful and natural with whatever look is aesthetically pleasing and makes her feel herself, regardless of what look that might be. I mean, what's the difference, really, between a look that's "classic" and a look that's "old-fashioned"? Or, conversely, between a look that's "edgy" and one that "tries to hard"? It can be the same look in whatever case, the difference is the personality that's presented with it: Emmylou Harris is a gorgeous woman because the hairstyle goes along with an overall look that's confident and comfortable in her own skin.

In fact, I think she's far more attractive now--in her earliest appearances with Gram Parsons and early solo career she often looks just a little bit gawky and uncertain, and it takes a little bit away from her physical charms. She was an attractive young woman in the early '70s, but by the '80s (even before she let her hair go silver) she was a babe, and a lot of it was simply that she'd grown into her own skin and came to terms with the fact she hadn't been in Gram's shadow for more than a decade.

Oh, and to answer the question I think you meant to ask: you look great.

Jeri said...

Having recently seen you up close and personal with your rockin' Emmylou look - I'd say GO FOR IT. Your hair is lovely and suits your face shape beautifully. Rawr!

But ultimately - do what makes you happy and what makes you feel beautiful. Also - what you can live with in terms of morning routine. LOL

nzforme said...

I think it's a question of what kind of silvery hair you've got. I've seen some women on whom it goes all wiry and uncontrollable. (I fear I may be one of them, as my occasional greys tend to stand up in total defiance of gravity or styling products.) With that, I think you have to go short. But if your hair is stylable, by all means, do something beautiful and long with it.

Steve Buchheit said...

I think it all has to do with the attitude. The actual length doesn't matter as long as it's you, and you're proud of it.

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Having been through this dilemma myself (remember some of the fashion don't's we have seen over time?) I have come up with this:
Wear your hair in a style that is flattering. Keeping in mind that the shape of your face changes, so the style should flatter those changes. No ones face is the same shape all their life.
Long or short, colored or not. It could be the greatest color or cut, but if it is not flattering? Fail.
And that is my fashion advice for the day.
Carry on.

The Mechanicky Gal said...

P.S. You're REALLY looking great!

Random Michelle K said...

I second Steve.

Are you comfortable with your hair longer? Does it make you feel attractive? If so, then go long!

If you like a style, go with it, if it makes you feel self-conscious, then go with something else. If you feel comfortable you'll look good. If you feel self-conscious, then it'll show.

Carol Elaine said...

Go with what you're comfortable with, but I think you definitely can pull off a longer style. You've got lovely, youthful features that go well with your confidence and your hair is a stunning silver that works with your coloring. As long as you've got a good cut that you can work with, you should be fine with Emmylou length hair.

Megan said...

I love long silver hair. Much better than dyed hair.

WendyB_09 said...

I went grey in my 30's and I've colored my hair for the last 20+ years and I'm just tired of dealing with it.

This year I'm trying once again to grow the color out of my hair. Tried last year, but hit the mid-summer hair stall, gave up and did the color for a conference in DC. Last time was at Christmas.

Length right now is just below my shoulders, I keep it pulled back most of the time. Grey shows in front, fades into color in the ponytail. Suspect in a few weeks will take the plunge and get it cut to the grey line which should be about 2" by then. It will be much shorter than I've had it in quite a while.

And if I don't like it I can go back to the bottle...just a few shades lighter so growing it out won't be such a color shock.

Bottom line, you have to be comfortable with your hair. If you like it long, go for it.

Venus Vaughn said...

What Steve said.

Hair can be like clothes, if you wear it with confidence, people are going to like it because YOU like it.

Clean and healthy are what hair requires.

Warner (aka ntsc) said...

My wife went grey naturally, with our son's help, in her late 30s.

I like the way it looks, shoulder length or a bit longer, except that into my 60s I am still not going grey, much to her disgust.

Tom said...

I second what Jeri said!

Am I the only one who sees more than a touch of Allison Janney in that picture of you?

Janiece said...

Tom, I'll take that as a compliment. :-)

kevindarveaux said...

I believe Emmylou is one of the most Beautiful Women in the World ! Besides, being a fine Artist & Musician !