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I like wearing halfup ponytails. I find there tends to be a certain amount of damage inflicted, however, with the use of a tie. Using a clip eliminates this but I'm concerned how feminine it might be perceived to be even when using a black one. I'm thinking that if the rest of me portrays strong masculinity (beard, dark clothing) it could pass. Thoughts?
I've been wanting to try Absalom's suggestion of using multiple ponytail ties for awhile now. I wore this look to work yesterday to work and really liked it. I like the sensation of the hair moving slightly as I walk. It is markedly different than either a braid or a regular ponytail as I can a slight swinging as I move.
Just a regular length pic...
I think it looks fine. Then again, many of us will probably be a bit biased in our opinion. Most people probably won't even notice, especially if you wore a black or brown clip. Overall, it looks good, Jason. =)
-James
I don't think you look feminine at all, even from the back. Your shoulders are just too broad, and the clip really isn't that obvious. Thinking (especially worrying) about something makes it seem to stand out more, but in reality it's quite subtle.
Looks cool.
Mouse
hi Jason,
I didn't know ties were damaging.anyway,I totally agree with you,if the rest of you is manly looking then there shouldn't be a problem.I probably wouldn't have noticed the clip had you not mentioned it lol!!!
as for the hair...lovely as always!!!I've noticed that your scalp hair is a bit darker than the rest though..do you color it? :((
I don't find they're damaging for regular full ponytails but I find that my hair catches a lot more for halfup ponytails when I try to get the tie on and off.
Nope....that's just day 2 oiliness! :)
Hi Jason,
I think the clip looks fine and I really didn't notice it a first but if it helps with the half ponytail I say keep on using it. Like I've always said do it for yourself and not what others think and too bad for them.
Once again the pictures are great the hair is looking wonderful and in great condition and do keep it growing and a fine example.
Cheers,
John.B
Hi Jason, great hair as always, approaching mid back length now! I don't see any problem with the clip at all, certainly does NOT look fem! I personally would not use one, but that is just because my hair is thin and I could not afford to damage any of it, especially in the crown area (You indicate they are less damaging, but I am unsure about anything metal in my hair).
I LOVE the Absalom look. It will be VERY cool when your hair is long enough to be able to wear 10 or 11 of the multiple ties, as he does.
I was still wondering if you were still considering going past belt length to classic length? --this may be something to think about as your hair reaches belt length. I realize you have already revised your goal (longer), a few times already.
Keep it growing,
David
Hi David. Actually the clip is plastic. I just open it wide, stick my hair in and let go. When I want to remove it, I just release the clip and my hair falls free. There is no friction and thus no damage.
LOL, yeah, I keep revising my goal longer and longer. I'm just hoping my terminal length will take me to belt length. Assuming it does, I'll reevaluate at that point but I would just love to have had classic length at least once so I'm thinking I would try for it but would probably cut it back to belt length after attaining that goal.
I've always loved the half pony tail look, but whenever I try it, I end up ripping hair out when I try to put it in. For that reason I don't do it very often. I think the clip would be much easier, but I'm not so sure I like the look. But if you like it, I say go for it.
By the way, the segmented pony tail looks great. The nice thing about it is that it's much quicker and easier than a braid.
Hey, Jason. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the pic was, "why do you care?" Then, I realize that that's a bit hypocritical of me, as I'm shy to go out in public looking any way that will draw attention to me. This is changing, however, as I continually realize not only that what the majority of the other people, many of who on my campus are drunken idiots, think is meaningless, BUT many of them also don't say anything at all. You'd be shocked at the lack of reaction you get when you go out in a way that played tug-of-war with your emotions. When I first wore a pink shirt, I was actually scared. Same with my arm warmers, which I think look awesome. But, lo and behold, nobody said a thing or even gave me a second glance.
To make a long story short, your hair clip looks totally invisible in the pic. Wear it with whatever clothes you want. Of course, the clip will be more visible when you're closer to people, but you likely won't get many comments about it. If you're really worried, wear darker clothes, like all black. Go for some bondage pants and nobody will touch you. :P But seriously, the clip looks fine to me. Maybe I'll try one one day too, as half-tails catch the hair in my tail sometimes.
Peace, dude
Im pretty sure people wont mistake you for a woman. You look very masculine and have masculine features. The half-tail looks great with the clip. I personally like the half-tail-look on you better than the multiple hair ties look.
All The Best
Chris
As usual your hair is fantastic ! And I am really fond of the half tail look on men. The black clip looks just fine to me. Take a look at the link below. I would think that a Celtic style cuff would really look great (although they do have the elastic tie, that you want to avoid).
Thanks for Sharing
WWT
I bookmarked that site. I'm going to drool over the designs whenever I need some encouragement to keep growing my hair out. They look so cool!
Thanks,
Mouse
Sounds like you've had the same problem I've had when trying to do a half-tail with an elastic tie. Personally I think that type of clip looks ok, especially the kind of "sideways" way you clipped it in. I've always attached that type with the teeth in towards my scalp and the "grip" sticking out, which makes the whole clip stick up more. I'll have to try it your way.
I've never gotten the knack of the segmented ponytail. I can never get the ties after the first one to go on properly or evenly.
Jim
Hey Jason, a small hair clip does not look feminine at all, and it won't tear out hair. Minimizing damage becomes increasingly important as your hair gets longer.
As your hair gets longer, you will likely find this to be much quicker and easier than a braid. And it won't leave your hair with those annoying waves caused by braids. You may want to get some of the soft terry cloth ties. These are even more gentile on your hair than the type you are currently using in the photo. The soft terry cloth ones may work for your half tail without doing any damage at all.
Looking great, your hair just gets better with added length. You should grow it to full length.
Absalom
Hey Jason
I wouldn't give it a moments worry. Better the clip than damage to your hair. And besides...........it hardly makes you look feminine in the slighest. No way! (The only to mistake you for a Woman would be "Mr.Magoo" himself.) LOL
Justin~
Hi
Jason
your segment ponytail looks good but i wonder if anyones ever had a segment braid as ive never seen one as yet btw keep growing to your terminal length i vote that in your pol to
Axel
Given the denigration of women in our culture, it is understandable that most of us do not want to look feminine. I cannot speak for the small minority of men who do, but if it makes them happy, go for it.
I have long hair and a beard, and do not like pony tails. I typically use a celtic barette with those new French release mechanisms, putting it in my hair back in front, and then folding it up, having my pony tail cascade over the barette. It cold be mistaken for a feminine style.
I am older, and my hair is thinner and shorter than my partner. He is 54, has enviable silver thick hair with a slight wave, down below his shoulder baldes. He uses segmented pony tail ties, but always the thicker ones without the metal connection. He sometims wears it in a french or standard baraid, and sometimes on the last of three pulls to create a pony tail leaves his hair hight on the back of his head in an uunfinsihed bun.
My friend was temporarily hospitalize two weeks ago, a false scare. One morning a nursing assistant came into his room and asked if he were the woman who was in this room yesterday. He responded, no, I am the woman with the moustache.
Believe me, nothing he does could make him look feminine with his Marine bearing, moustache, and outspoken political views denouncing the lies of our government. On him, a mini-skirt would look mawsculine.
We long haired men are those with the patriot haircuts like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin. We are not the typical conformists, who verbally celebrate American freedom while demanding conformity, trembling in anxiety over anyone who walks his own path.
I had never thought of it that way. I love women. I just don't want to look like one.
Jason, I think you got that right. For someone with a NONtransgender heterosexual male identity, the woman is "Thou", not "I".
By the way, I, too, believe that clips have no gender, so you can wear them with no problem - they do look absolutely cool.
I'd go as far as saying that integrating SOME elements in my appearance that could be looked upon as "fem" by some (or were seen that way some decades ago), does NOT take away from my maleness. One example would be wearing VERY colorful clothing, which, if anything, could give me an "old hippie" look (and that's cool - I'm sure board members like Bill would agree ;-)
All the best!
Hans-Uwe
Yep!
I have no interest in looking like a girl, and no one has ever said that I did. [grin]
If you look clearly male, you are going to make anything you wear look masculine unless it is VERY feminine. Clothes and accessories just don't have the power to sway that perception that you yourself will have.
I like wearing purple, for example, and in stores almost all the purple clothes are in the women's department, so there must be a perception that purple is a feminine color. Yet, if I do find something in the men's department in purple and wear it, it does not look the least bit feminine on me.
Bill
Hey Bill, do I see a GD t-shirt? Is there a chance we'll run into each other if I make it to another Dark Star show in the Bay area this summer? I LOVE that music (I suggest you tune into the KBOO internet signal for their Saturday 12N-2PM show right now ;-) and the Dark Star Orchestra members are growing beautiful manes, by the way...
Who else enjoys GD and DSO shows?
All the best!
Hans-Uwe
Right on, that's a Dead shirt. Got it about two weeks ago. The back's got artwork on it too. It's really cosmic, in both senses of the word. [grin]
Do look me and the rest of the SF MLHH gang up if you get to SF!
Bill
I use either a colored elastic loop or a Scunci fabric-covered elastic loop to hold my pony tail, and for extra help, also use a 2-inch plastic fork clamp in addition. I have the clamps in different colors: black, charcoal, brown, clear, red, white, and blue. No one has ever mistaken me for a woman. I stand 5 ft. 10 in. tall, and weigh 142 pounds--not a big guy. The clamps also come in other colors like pink, green with glitter, etc. which might be considered more "feminine." Such colors I have avoided. My fork clamps are my "best friends" for holding together my pony tail--which is essential in doing my job (shipping and receiving) at my workplace. Good luck!