I thought the biggest issue with hair over 50 was the triple threat…hair that’s thinning, graying, and more frizzy, all due to natural aging. I manage with a basic bob.
I have curly/frizzy hair. I keep it short and use a ton of product to tame it. I really don’t care how people wear their hair.
I’m also one that thought she looked ridiculous. I am 58, my hair is 3 or 4 inches past my shoulder. I have bangs and do wear ponytails, usually on the weekend. But, just as with clothing, the hair fashion needs to fit the age. Jeans with a few strategic rips look fashionable on an older woman. Ones with multiple rips all over look silly except on the young. A ponytail is not just a ponytail…same as the jeans.
Jane Fonda has always been extremely stylish, fashionable. I was frankly shocked last night that she thought she looked nice…or youthful. I think it made her look old and sad…trying so hard.
I have always been lazy about my hair. I have straight blond hair and am not graying. I don’t think I can wear it that long anymore because it is thinning, so it is shoulder length. If I had more guts, I’d perm it or try layers, but I am afraid of change.
My rule of thumb is my hair has to be able to go in a ponytail. I have a drawer full of scunchies. I also like the top
pulled back, and have turquoise, silver, and many pretty barrettes. The shoulder length seems very popular among friends and people in the gym.
If hair is curly, then short looks great. I guess some of us want what is easy, and others will set and style to look their best. I’m a fan of a long gray braid, if the hair is thick enough.
I really like Oldfort’s Bob, such a classic look.
Jeans with a few strategic rips do not look fashionable on anyone of any age. Ripped clothing belongs in the garbage or yard work clothes pile. B-)
I am also struggling with what to do with my long hair. I have just plain stopped doing anything to it such as curling or even blow dry styling. So I need the magic Do Nothing cut. Unfortunately I have blond thinning hair. I think those magic Do Nothing cuts are for the lucky thick wavy/curly hair.
I too think a women should wear her hair any way she wants, no matter her age.
I personally think that woman over 50 or 55 look much older with long hair. I know I look tired when my hair gets too long. But I know some women who rock it with long hair in older age.
I’m thinking about going shorter and letting my dyed hair grow out. But not until I retire. Most people will think I have cancer or some illness if I do it before I retire.
I also need to work with a good hair stylist to grow my grey in without locking like a skunk.
@greenbutton ,your post made me kind of sad! Dang it woman, go get a haircut you like and afterwards go buy an outfit you like and then go out and enjoy a nice evening dancing if you like! Don’t let your age define you into any category you don’t want to be in or don’t feel you belong! (I’m sticking to that!)
My thought is, if your hair stylist cannot come up with a hairstyle that is different and will make you feel good no matter what your age…then it’s time for a new hair stylist!!!
After YEARS of being unhappy with my hair stylist - I mean YEARS - because I knew her too well and didn’t know how to stop going…I finally DID make a change about a year and a half ago. My new stylist is only 25 but she listens and has taken the time to get to know me and the how I want my hair to make me feel. I’m not saying my haircut is hit out of the park every single time but I feel there are no limitations - if it’s what I want.
I’d prefer a high ponytail on a older women any day over a young man with a man bun.
But I’m an older woman who sometimes wears her hair in a high ponytail. I’d never wear it that way formally dressed, but I could see some women being able to pull it off. I didn’t see Jane last night though.
@LeastComplicated - Oh come on. My high school son some times lets his hair grow long enough that he has to put in in a man bun for marching band. The girls love it.
First, I think people should wear their hair the way they want. I may think they’d look better in a different style, but it’s not my life.
I think the “no long hair” rule was because many women’s hair thins as they age and so they end up with stringy hair or scalp peeking through.
Christie Brinkley is a good example of a women of a certain age wearing long hair effectively. This article talks about her cutting her hair “short” I am guessing the before photo had some extensions in it. https://www.today.com/style/christie-brinkley-cuts-her-hair-lob-see-her-new-look-t108409
Speaking of extension, don’t you all think Jane Fonda was wearing them? I don’t think the bangs or pony tail were real. I thought she looked fine. I mean, they are all stars wearing $10,000 dresses and spray tans etc etc. I don’t wear any of that so why not wear hair styles that I don’t wear too!! 
I’ve never had ponytail-length hair in my life and envy anyone whose hair is thick, long, and air-dryable. Hair has been the bane of my existence, but I love to play with it and went to beauty school out of high school. I have a lot of fine, “bendy” hair that requires a good cut and shampoo/blow-dry/style every.single.day.of.my.life.since.jr.high. I don’t believe in hair age rules. We can all think of someone who rocks what is considered a youthful style, although I must admit that I much, much prefer Jane Fonda’s Grace & Frankie style than the Barbie-wannabe she wore at the Emmy’s (had to Google for that.). She didn’t wear it confidently which also detracted, IMO.
I’ve finally found a stylist I hope to keep for life who has given me the best off-center, angled, stacked bob I’ve seen on anyone. It’s probably the most flattering haircut/style I’ve ever had. DH agrees, so I’m keeping it. 
I had the Anna Wintour, complete with sunnies, up to about a year ago when I decided to grow out my bangs. Now I still have a bob, it’s just a tad shorter and shorter in the back than the front. I also just went slightly darker as my color was looking brassy from the summer sun.
I really dislike long hair on older women. It’s aging, imo.
I’m sure Jane’s hair is not that long and they used extensions for her style last night.
Short, very thin hair here, and it’s been falling out like crazy lately. I’ve never liked my hair. I do color it because it’s a dull mousy brown with lots of gray now, but always fades to reddish blond pretty soon after coloring. I don’t have enough volume to let it go long, so I keep it fairly short (think pixie with a little length on the sides and longish bangs). I show lots of scalp, on the crown and on the sides.
Both my sons have hair well past their shoulders, and it’s thick and curly and gorgeous. (No man buns, but they both wear ponytails.) So unfair!
The texture of my hair has changes since menopause…it used to be stick straight and kind of flat. I am kind of enjoying the freedon from the hairdryer in the warmer months. My hair is a little long and has a nice wave/ body. If i washed it and went to bed with it wet, it actually looks pretty good in the morning
I don’t think I have ever in my entire life had a ponytail. I have mainly had short hair since I was about 9 years old. There were a few unfortunate attempts at growing it, but it grows out rather than down. My hair is short and very curly and I now love it. In high school when everyone had long, stratight hair- I hated my hair. I don’t even use.a hair dryer. I do color my hair and don’t see giving that up any time soon.! I’m 65 (as of last week!)
I have zero concern about whatever hairstyle anyone is comfortable with. Not my hair.
I have a high forehead so I prefer bangs on me myself and I.
I gave up forehead bangs a few years ago, but I have a long layered type of bangs. It is cut so that I can sweep behind my ear and naturally falls in a way that is flattering. …for years I thought I had to have bangs