Is longer hair on a 69 year old ok?

Itsnell, collar -bone length is also very versatile, you can wear it down or up, and it looks good whether your hair is straight or wavy. I have my grey hair this length, a slightly choppy cut so it doesn't look too "smart".
I have tried leaving my hair to get longer but I think it can easily look scruffy. I admire it on those older models who are tall and willowy with fantastic bone structure though !

Lots of lovely suggestions here and I think as you get older you can have any style or colour you like with just one exception . I think older people men or women with dyed black hair always look a bit sad, it makes people look so old.

Your hair looks very pretty but if you want it longer go for it. I do think you should have regular trims though to keep the dreaded split ends at bay. I wouldn't colour it, your hair has many highlights which would be lost if you coloured it, not to mention regrowth!
My hair is shoulder length and always has been after a few experimental forays into shorter styles. I'm 76 and I think my style makes me look younger.

I'm 68 and have what you might call very long hair. I wear it in a bun or single braid in back every day so it is neat, tidy and I never have to worry about 'styling' it. My DGD says I have 'day hair' (up) and 'night hair' (down, at bedtime).

Given the lockdowns etc. I think a lot of older women are wearing their hair longer-I now I am I normally have, and have had for years, a chin length bob as it suits my hair and is easy to manage. Go for it and take advantage of not going out much to experiment and find what’s right for you

l have long highlighted hair, but think it's important to keep it in good condition. l use hair masks, good quality shampoos and conditioners, argan oil when necessary and regular trips to the hairdresser (when we can). Enjoy your long hair

Mine's the same as yours Itsnell curly and tends to frizz. However, I discovered a wooden comb stops it fizzing, something to do with cutting down on static. I'm 65 and my hair is long, so go for it. Do whatever you feel happy with. I've only had short hair twice in my life, once when I was 12 and then again when I was 17. Both times it was awful, sticking up all over the place. I need the weight of long hair to keep it down. Age is now barrier these days!

Ps this is all assuming hair salons will be opening again soon or have any space for a stray customer like me ?

Longer hair on 'mature' ladies is perfectly acceptable. At 68, my hair is just about the only thing that has aged well. Too little grey to go with grey, I have it styled and coloured every 5 weeks and it is at least chin length so I can pin it up in a ponytail on hot/holidays. Obviously not been happening as much this year obviously. In fact I should be at the hairdresser this morning but of course it is cancelled.

I'm 64 and had my hair in a short pixie cut for years. But due to lockdown, I haven't been to a hairdresser in many months and it's now growing longer. I like it, and I intend to let it grow.

As someone who has alopecia totalis (no hair), I would say enjoy your hair whatever your age. Grow it down to your feet if you want to.

Shoulder length, yes, thin grey and scraggly, Duchess of Cambridge length absolutely not. Cf that female historian what's on tv, can't think of the name.

Hi all. Operation long hair starting today!!
The reason I’m asking whether to have trims or not while I’m growing it is that the last cut - after lockdown was done using a razor - I asked for a ruby wax type style and got a punk hack!! I won’t be going back to her. I can’t quite see the back of my neck in the mirror but I can feel that the two sides aren’t the same length or thickness - I’ve already trimmed off some obvious stray bits of hair myself, so I’m wondering if I should just have the back tidied up first or leave it. Then, after my recent hair saga I’m not inclined to trust another hairdresser easily - nor do I know who to go to anyway. Would a hairdresser want to bother with a little trim or tidy-up anyway. Questions decisions! Not exactly big National issue but if my hair isn’t right I don’t feel right,

I'm. 69 and my hair is long and much longer, (right down my back) since lockdown. I dye it psle blonde. It looks good to me. I really don't suit short hair.

I have a friend who is very hippy like and she has very long tresses. I couldn’t see her with short hair tbh. I miss my long hair but I know I’d look dowdy and awful if I let it grow long. I also like mine shaved right up the back so it doesn’t hang over my collar. I think it depends on the shape of your head and neck too.

Itsnell

Thank you, MisAdventure
Thank you MellowYellow. I wonder should I get regular trims at the hairdressers while I’m growing it or just plough on letting it grow?

I'm a believer in 'ploughing on'!
I grew mine from shorter than that to shoulder length without trims. It took about two years, possibly longer
If I'd had it cut regularly it would have taken even longer.
I think that your hair will look lovely long. Nice wave and great colour.

Agreed, Itsnell. A scrawny pony tail ain’t attractive.

I had mine shoulder-length and layered in my 50s which I consider short... but now I know it's more me long so have grown it back to long-ish. I love it. It can be up, down, wavy or whatever.

What's to lose? You can always chop it off again if you wish!

Glad you have decided to grow it, do take your hairdresser's advice on when to get it tidied up. Perhaps even ask her/him think about a touch of colour, go for a real reset!

My hair was always very short and super easy to keep before lockdown. Lockdown meant it grew and grew and I quite like it and not so grey. DH moans it takes me ages to dry - 5 minutes actually. Was going to hairdresser on Friday for trim (have only been once since 1st lockdown) then DGS2 childminder decided she wouldn't take him as he had a cold and slight cough and insisted on Covid test so had to take him and we all had to self isolate till negative result. Hairdresser cancelled! It was a cold! Frightened to book again! So longer hair it is!

Thanks to all of you. You’ve persuaded me to start growing it!

SueDonim - I can’t stand those little wispy ponytail on men - they look like a rats tail. I can’t imagine what they’re trying to achieve?

Oh gosh, I thought this was going to be about a 69yo balding chap wanting to grow longer what hair he still had*!

Of course you should grow your hair. What’s the worst that can happen? You decide you don’t like it so you can go and have it chopped off again! Mine has been in a bob style for years but it’s grown to shoulder length during lockdown and I’ve kept it at that sort of length.

My hairdresser pointed out that because my hair has become coarser and frizzier, the extra weight keeps it down and looking neater.

*Of course men can wear their hair anyway they want, but I have to say my mid-60’s brother’s thin, grey, scraggy plait that emerges from the back of his balding pate isn’t succeeding in making him look as edgy and youthful as in his dreams.

Your hair sounds like mine. Thick and wavy/curly. I had a longish mid blonde bob, when lockdown happened my roots were in need of a touch up. I shaved my whole head leaving a crop on top, half an inch long. It’s been so easy and quite smart until now, about 3-4 inches long and can’t wait to get my bob back. I used to wash it and slobber it in treseme conditioner and leave it in to dry, it would be a mass of curls all week long. Now I’m growing it to see how the old style will look with steel grey back and white streaked front.
I heard a hairdresser on tv say that curly hair needs to grow at least five inches from the scalp to properly curl at least twice round to look good. He said hair grows about half an inch a month so go for it.

Go for it OP, although I would say your hair looks great short. I had a crop for years but have grown it to a below chin-length bob now and have never had so many compliments. I feel younger with it longer and more confident and what’s more am completely grey.

Why not? Go for it!