Man in need of advice for longer hair.

[bearbear]

So, i've been growing it out for about a year now, and its at that akward in between stage where its not quite long enough to throw into a ponytail, but a lil to long and thick, so i'm stuck with either slicking it mobster style with some brylcream or wearing a cap.

To put it into cliffs:
-Is a ponytail ok on a self respecting"manly man"(about 6'2, 220lbs, 50 inch chest, 34 inch waist)?
-what can i do for styling in the mean time, (about 7 inches or more all over)?
-continue growing it out or cut it short?

Kinda at a loss here folks, If there are any female members as well that could comment, it would be greatly appreciated as i don't have a SWMBO or to many female friends that look past my body when i ask them about it. 1 has said my long hair is "hot" (which was followed by an akward moment after she straddled me and told me she'd marry into my family one day, even though she had a boyfriend. Another told me she loves the goatee, neglected to comment on my hair, and i later found out she prefers shorter hair.

Sorry for the length...i just always thought long hairs and ponytails added a soft touch to a rugged exterior.

 

[mretzloff]

I would not wear a pony tail. I would cut it short (does not need to be military-style buzz cut). But that's just me...

As to the hot comment, I have never heard a lady say pony tails are hot. If you want long hair, just comb it and leave it at that.

 

[thirdeye]

So, i've been growing it out for about a year now, and its at that akward in between stage where its not quite long enough to throw into a ponytail, but a lil to long and thick, so i'm stuck with either slicking it mobster style with some brylcream or wearing a cap.

To put it into cliffs:
-Is a ponytail ok on a self respecting"manly man"(about 6'2, 220lbs, 50 inch chest, 34 inch waist)?
-what can i do for styling in the mean time, (about 7 inches or more all over)?
-continue growing it out or cut it short?

Kinda at a loss here folks, If there are any female members as well that could comment, it would be greatly appreciated as i don't have a SWMBO or to many female friends that look past my body when i ask them about it. 1 has said my long hair is "hot" (which was followed by an akward moment after she straddled me and told me she'd marry into my family one day, even though she had a boyfriend. Another told me she loves the goatee, neglected to comment on my hair, and i later found out she prefers shorter hair.

Sorry for the length...i just always thought long hairs and ponytails added a soft touch to a rugged exterior.

Ok I'm close, 6'2, 250lbs, 50 inch chest, 38 inch waist and I just cut my hair back from mid back to just below the shoulder. I am a design engineer and do the suit thing all week long but it's jeans and t's on the weekend.

Hell yes it's fine. I do have a completely clean shaved face. I personally don't care what others think. This is me and what I like.
Women are a dime a dozen. If she's the right one she will not care if your hair is long or short.

 

[bearbear]

Ok I'm close, 6'2, 250lbs, 50 inch chest, 38 inch waist and I just cut my hair back from mid back to just below the shoulder. I am a design engineer and do the suit thing all week long but it's jeans and t's on the weekend.

Hell yes it's fine. I do have a completely clean shaved face. I personally don't care what others think. This is me and what I like.
Women are a dime a dozen. If she's the right one she will not care if your hair is long or short.

I would not wear a pony tail. I would cut it short (does not need to be military-style buzz cut). But that's just me...

As to the hot comment, I have never heard a lady say pony tails are hot. If you want long hair, just comb it and leave it at that.

Thank you both for the input. I'm more partial to long hair, not styled like a disney character, but greased back or tied low. My beard and moustache are short, tidy and well groomed, my sideburns are about half an inch wide and end cleanly just before the bottom of the earlobe. I shave every morning, and will shave again before dinner or date.

My motive isn't purely for the ladies, i dunno growing up all the guys i looked up to had long hair or pony tails (role models). I've had every length in between bbs bald and what it is now, i wanna try it out before it starts to fall out (dad had long hair, when he hit 30 it all fell out). but i've found the first impressions with it are either strong hit or miss. Some ladies really dig the hair, others think its girly or that i'm gay, or that i can't afford a hair cut.

Guess i'm just testing the waters, trying to gain some insight. I can't see past the fact i think it looks awesome in the mirror.

 

[arghblech]

Talk to your stylist about how to keep it neat looking. Long hair can present problems using some styling products, in my experience.

 

[Tom C]

I'll be in exactly the same situation as yourself soon. I've kept my hair quite short for the last 25+ years, but have decided to grow it out. I think it's a mid-life crisis thing, since I'm not a red convertible sports car kind of guy.

Despite turning 50, I'm not bald and have very little grey hair so I figured I'd go with what I have. I used to be quite blond, but the passing of time has darkened my hair. It's pin-straight, healthy and shiny. I'm fortunate in that respect.

Currently, I can tuck my hair behind my ears and just use a little mousse to keep my growing bangs out of my eyes (I refuse to part my hair down the middle, as this is referred to as the "butt cut" by my peers. Been there, done that). Eventually, I'll have to switch to some sort of goop or gel to keep things in place while my hair is still pre-pony tail. I'm weighing my options for now.

I'm not worried about the masculinity factor of having long hair (5'8" 150lbs.). I had a pony tail for a few years as a young man and it really didn't present any problems to speak of. Besides, anyone who doesn't like it really needs to find something more important to worry about. It actually went over very well with the ladies (although I realize that it will have a negative effect on some women). I'm doing this for me - no one else.

To answer your questions:
1) A pony tail is fine. It's a statement of individuality. If someone has a problem with your hair, it's their problem, not yours.
2) Goop, gel or some other styling product to keep things under control while it grows.
3) Grow it. You're most of the way there, so go for it. You can always cut it at a later time if you so desire.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[thirdeye]

(dad had long hair, when he hit 30 it all fell out).

Poor fellow, I was on my second round of growing mine out by then. I have a bit of a receding hair line but it works great with the low ponytail.

I'll be in exactly the same situation as yourself soon. I've kept my hair quite short for the last 25+ years, but have decided to grow it out. I think it's a mid-life crisis thing,

Cool, another excuss...You only have me by a year so I'm good......

 

[mmack66]

Business in front, party in the back.
Missouri Compromise.

 

[bearbear]

Business in front, party in the back.
Missouri Compromise.

Just taking a shot in the dark in case you are located in Florida. I see a lot of these particularly in and around the Gainesville area.

Am i doin it right?

 

[thirdeye]

Am i doin it right?

.........OMG....Noooooo!!!!!

 

[bearbear]

arblech, tom c, thrideye,

Thanks, gents.

 

[Rorschuck]

Wow! A mullet and a "T-Bone" tattoo! That guy's my new hero.

 

[Muirtach]

I kept mine long for about 8 years. When I finally cut it it was near 2 feet long. My personal favorite length during that time was just to the ends of my shoulders. Manageable and distinctive. If you want to try it go for it. The nice thing about longer hair is that you can trim it down if you decide against it. For some reason it does not work so well the other way. In the meantime find a barber/other or a few and get some ideas on how to maintain it.

As to the ladies, if you pull it off good ones will appreciate it, if not you will find out. If you pay attention that is. Took me most of those 8 years to figure out I was not pulling it off well. Guess I am too stick-like in shape at 6'3" 145lbs.

 

[richmondesi]

Thank you both for the input. I'm more partial to long hair, not styled like a disney character, but greased back or tied low. My beard and moustache are short, tidy and well groomed, my sideburns are about half an inch wide and end cleanly just before the bottom of the earlobe. I shave every morning, and will shave again before dinner or date.

My motive isn't purely for the ladies, i dunno growing up all the guys i looked up to had long hair or pony tails (role models). I've had every length in between bbs bald and what it is now, i wanna try it out before it starts to fall out (dad had long hair, when he hit 30 it all fell out). but i've found the first impressions with it are either strong hit or miss. Some ladies really dig the hair, others think its girly or that i'm gay, or that i can't afford a hair cut.

Guess i'm just testing the waters, trying to gain some insight. I can't see past the fact i think it looks awesome in the mirror.

Just an FYI note here: Male pattern baldness is passed on by way of the X chromosome. Without getting too technical, that means that it is irrelevant what your dad's hair is like. You will get an idea what yours will do by looking at your grandpa on your mother's side. My dad has hair as thick as a paintbrush at 57, but I am loosing my hair (slowly) at 29. You guessed it; I have my grandpa to thank

 

[Tom C]

You will get an idea what yours will do by looking at your grandpa on your mother's side.

What your hair might do. My maternal grandfather was cue-ball bald, but I show no signs of hair loss at 50. I guess that gene missed me.

 

[richmondesi]

What your hair might do. My maternal grandfather was cue-ball bald, but I show no signs of hair loss at 50. I guess that gene missed me.

Exactly, your mom had/has 2 X chromosomes (as do all women). 50/50 shot if you're lucky

 

[Bluestaco]

I wore my hair long (i.e., somewhere between my shoulders and my waist) for most of my life.
That "not quite long enough to tie back" phase is a pain in the butt. That's the dues you pay for being able to tie it back and forget about it later. I think when I was at that point I either wore a cap or threw on a bandana if I had to keep it out of the way.
If you are good looking enough to pull off that "tall, dark, and greasy" look, then okay, but if you're not (and who is?), then you're just going to look sloppy for the better part of a year.

 

[FLTiger]

The older I get, the shorter I wear my hair. Time not spent fighting to style my hair is better spent shaving. That's just me--you are you, and you need to do what makes you most happy (or least unhappy, as the case may be). Let your freak flag fly!

 

[bearbear]

Just an FYI note here: Male pattern baldness is passed on by way of the X chromosome. Without getting too technical, that means that it is irrelevant what your dad's hair is like. You will get an idea what yours will do by looking at your grandpa on your mother's side. My dad has hair as thick as a paintbrush at 57, but I am loosing my hair (slowly) at 29. You guessed it; I have my grandpa to thank

Indeed. My brothers 24 and really thinning hair. MY grand father's hair thinned but the hair that remained was thick and looked pretty good for his age before the chemo.

I wore my hair long (i.e., somewhere between my shoulders and my waist) for most of my life.
That "not quite long enough to tie back" phase is a pain in the butt. That's the dues you pay for being able to tie it back and forget about it later. I think when I was at that point I either wore a cap or threw on a bandana if I had to keep it out of the way.
If you are good looking enough to pull off that "tall, dark, and greasy" look, then okay, but if you're not (and who is?), then you're just going to look sloppy for the better part of a year.

I can carry myself that way i guess and pull it off, but it takes effort to keep a straight face.

 

[scottydoint]

Just an FYI note here: Male pattern baldness is passed on by way of the X chromosome. Without getting too technical, that means that it is irrelevant what your dad's hair is like. You will get an idea what yours will do by looking at your grandpa on your mother's side. My dad has hair as thick as a paintbrush at 57, but I am loosing my hair (slowly) at 29. You guessed it; I have my grandpa to thank

It isn't true and that is what was first thought over a hundred years ago. It said there are a number of things that determine it and genetics are one of them, but not limited to the mothers side.