new thread
I have a situation approaching that I could use advice from long-hair friends.
I have a formal event coming up where I'm required to wear a tuxedo with tails. I've never had long hair for one of these events. I have three ideas for what to do with my hair. I'd like to have a vote from all of you concerning what you think is the best choice.
#1
I thought about just putting the tux on and letting my hair go free as I usually let it. This would be slightly longer than you see in my avatar, a little wavy/curly, and full. I would consider this to be the "Long Beethoven" look. Kind of wild...
#2
I thought about straightening, using product and tucking behind my ears for the "Raoul Rooftop" look...
#3
I thought about using product and tailing for the "Raoul Masquerade" look...
So, what do you think? #1, #2 or #3.
Of course, if you have other ideas, let me know.
Del...I've seen pictures of you in a tux on the site. I bet you have some great advice.
Thanks!
David
I think the Beethoven look is rather suave and nothing wrong with a natural look.
Cheers,
John.B
.
Yes, it's formal, but what sort of event is it and what types of people will be there? Is it a wedding? A political fundraiser? A corporate bash? Going to the opera? If you're with good friends and family, the Beethoven or Rooftop would be fine. But if you need to make an impression on higher-ups or are trying to win support, the Masquerade is more to the point.
I have a mother-in-law who is involved with the Junior League. Whenever my daughters "come of age" grandma has them "come out" to society at the League Cotillion Ball. I "get" to dress in a tux with tails and escort my daughter this year.
Unfortunately, I need to make an impression.
I've already had mom-in-law ask if I'm planning to cut my hair for the event. Of course I answered no and gave examples of men with long hair in tuxes.
I think if I show up looking well groomed I'll pass inspection. I just don't want to give up my self-identity or look like I'm trying to cover up something.
What does the daughter you are escorting favor among your longhair looks? I think it would be a gesture she appreciates if she gets to give some input. You have helped her all these years and now as she ages she can advise you. Even if she doesn't have an opinion I think you'll get points for asking her.
Have fun at the ball, David!
Favoring loose as long as nothing falls into your face,
Elizabeth
I'd suggest going with this option or maybe a braid or pony tail.
Hey David. When I wear my tux, I usually use gel and tie my hair back in a pony tail. Sometimes, I have just let it go wild with a little hairspray and I really like that look better. I guess it just depends on whether you want to look really slick and neat or if you feel as though you can pull off the totally wild look and feel comfortable.
Good Luck,
Del
P.S. Post a picture of your final decision.
I'd go with the third option with the hair tied back into a tail. Not only does this look nice and neat but it also pleases naysayers about your hair ("at least he tied it back...for us") and it also conforms to unisex hair etiquette--I am guessing all of the longhaired ladies will have their hair tamed in a tail, bun, or some sort of restrained hairdo or otherwise "up" even if up is down (and those with it wild and loose might be breaking etiquette)--and while men can have long hair too, they should still go by general etiquette of long hair.
I would go with #3. Looks great and should stay neat throughout the event....
Some guys tie it back in a ponytail.
But there's something that bothers me about the idea of a longhair doing something different with his hair when he dresses up.
It sends the message that the way hair is worn day to day, loose that is, is not acceptable when dressing up, as if hair that's loose has something wrong with it, like it's not classy or something.
Guys with short hair don't do anything different to their hair when they go formal do they? Why should a longhair? Just my musings--for all I know, if I ever have to dress up (for me that would be a family funeral) I might tie my hair back, maybe because for a few hours once every 10 or 20 years, I'd take the route that's least likely to get me hassled by some a**hole, figuring that making a statement with people I'll probably never see again isn't worth the trouble.
- - i've had long hair for a large part of my life. although i usually wear it down, i tend to dress my hair up when i dress my clothes up. i don't see why that would be different for a male. short hair doesn't have many options, but long hair does - so why not take advantage of that? it's not a bad thing to do something different every now and then, even if just to catch people off guard. it's not about the loose hair being unacceptable.
Thanks for this perspective. I was thinking that wearing my hair in a different manner would be a "cover up". But your thoughts about the matter have caused me to see differently.
- - i've dated many guys with long hair. the mojority of them enjoyed doing something different with it when gussying themselves up. on of them would pull his back into a pony with multiple bands down it. it always looked smashing, especially with a button down shirt. another liked to put his up in a bun. and yet another would put his into two braids. hair is another accessory to be used to its best advantage. think of it like putting on the nice cufflinks - you might not always wear them, but they make you feel special when you do.
good luck!
IMHO there are several issues here. I have no problem if the long hair himself decides to wear his hair a particular way.
It's your hair, whatever floats your boat. The problem for
me comes in when someone invites you to a wedding, etc. and
insists you cut your hair, wear it a particular way,
- - ...he didn't say that anyone was trying to force him to do anything. he asked what, of the three styles of HIS CHOOSING, that we thought would be best.
- - i realize that in a later post david mentioned his mother-in-law asking if he was planning to cut his hair. but this request stemmed from david himself, not from that. he simply wants to look his best. for his daughter. which is admirable.
I have to agree here. Why should a long hair have to (heaven forbid) cut his hair or have to tie it back? If it's a wedding
is the bride next going to insist that someone get a nose job, a facelift, maybe a tummy tuck, etc.
IMHO they invite you as you are, that you should wear your hair
loose.
I think the point is that guys with short hair CAN'T really do anything much different with their hair. We at least have an option, and Antesse I beleive pointed out that most girls will try to do something different with longer hair at such an event. The only thing is that as guys we mostly don't want to do anything too elaborate, on the theory that anything that looks 'fussy' looks too feminine.
Oddly enough, a ponytail or plait with a black bow seems particularly appropriate for something as antediluvian as a cotillion, if you can put up with the potential sniggers!
Personally, I usually wear my hair loose for formal events, but that doesn't mean that someone else shouldn't wear theirs however they want. I might even consider tying mine back for a black tie event like this, but not if it's merely 'suit and tie'.
I own a tux (or dinner suit as we call it in proper English), but very seldom get to wear it. I bought it for a cruise because it was cheaper than renting one for a whole week just to wear it twice, only to find out they had rentals on the ship! I have worn it at least twice more since then, LOL!
Maybe we should organise an MLHH formal dinner, and make it strictly black tie? - just so I could wear my tux! ROTFLMAO! We could invite LHC too.
Rats. I'd have to buy a dress (don't own any), hose, fancy shoes (I own three pairs of Birkenstocks and hiking shoes)... But I'd love to see how the guys choose to style their hair for such an event.
Personally,I like the third look, have you considered a bow to actually accentuate your hair? If you look at all the founding fathers, (and Raoul in that scene I believe) they/he usually have bows tieing their hair back, and I've always thought it looks nice when dressed up. Definately what I plan to do if I have a similar function once my hair is long enough.
-Ausin