Long hair question

[olddude]

I have worn my hair long (mid-back) for a number of years, in a low pony tail. (Re-living my hippie youth?) In 2+ years of classes, nobody has ever said anything, and in fact I do see a few women in my classes with ponytails rather putting their hair up. These are adult classes that do have a (relatively tolerant) dress code.

 

But I was looking at the teacher's forum here recently, and there seems to be a strong opinion in favor of buns or other hair arrangements "up and tight" so to speak. Naturally this is mostly in the context of young women, and I am neither. But it's not just tradition, I can see reasonable arguments for hair off the neck.

 

So there are two questions - should I do something different? And if so, what exactly? Somehow the idea of a bun seems weird, but heck, I'm already in tights - what's one more weirdness?

[Mel Johnson]

I'd go for the John Adams variation. Remember how in the movie 1776, William Daniels as the aforementioned Signer looked like he had a perfectly mid-1970s haircut, then when he was in profile, it became apparent that he had his back hair tied in a queue? Secure the hair behind with a rubber band, perhaps, and cover that over with a wide piece of grosgrain ribbon tied in a discreet bow. Auguste Vestris would approve.

 

If the hair still feels too long, "club" it. That is, double it in half and tie that way.

[olddude]

... hair tied in a queue? ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I love the internet!

 

Googled for this phrase - the first five entries were:

 

1) A Greek vase with Perseus and the Minotaur,

 

2) Benedict Arnold

 

3) Beethoven

 

4) Saint Nicholas

 

and 5) a Jane Austen fashion notes web site with this alternate description of clubbing, military style:

 

"...and each man’s long hair had been pulled harshly back, greased with candle wax, then twisted about a small sand-filled leather bag that was secured with a strip of black leather so that the hair hung like a club at the nape of the neck. The hair was then powdered white with flour, and though the clubbed and whitened hair looked smart and neat, it was a haven for lice and fleas."

 

Think I'll skip the candle wax and sandbag.

[SeaMonkey]

One of the guys that I cast in a piece I choreographed had long hair. He pulled it back into sort of a bun, but it was more of a martial arts style. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find a picture of what he did

[Mel Johnson]

For a variation in military style, the Light Infantry and Grenadiers would often "Plait, and tuck up", but this required the constant wear of the hat or cap. The hair was braided tightly, then the end tucked up under the rear sweatband of the cap. A piece of twill tape was frequently passed under it to aid in holding the cap on.

[Hans]

ecure the hair behind with a rubber band, perhaps, and cover that over with a wide piece of grosgrain ribbon tied in a discreet bow. Auguste Vestris would approve.

 

This being the 21st century I'd forego the ribbon and bow, but it would be most appropriate in a performance of Konservatoriet.

[BarreTalk]

Girls are discouraged from wearing their hair in a pony tail because the assembled mass of hair can whip around into their eyes during turns. I assume the same logic could be applied to men.

[Mel Johnson]

... hair tied in a queue? ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a Jane Austen fashion notes web site with this alternate description of clubbing, military style:

 

"...and each man’s long hair had been pulled harshly back, greased with candle wax, then twisted about a small sand-filled leather bag that was secured with a strip of black leather so that the hair hung like a club at the nape of the neck. The hair was then powdered white with flour, and though the clubbed and whitened hair looked smart and neat, it was a haven for lice and fleas."

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That quote is actually from Bernard Cornwell who is describing the hair styles in use in the British army during his book series Sharpe's Rifles. He's a little behind the times there, as his books are set during the Peninsular War of the Napoleonic period, and the British army had cut its hair in 1795. The "candle wax" is actually beef tallow, and was gooey enough. I used to wear my hair clubbed, but I never had to worry about putting a stiffening bolster in it. I also washed it thoroughly after every reenactment. It just smelled something awful.

[davidg]

I've seen and heard from guys who put their hair in a bun. Consensus seems to be that it's a non-issue, and it's just as practical for men as for women.

 

If a pony tail is long enough, I suppose it could whip your own face. But more common is it will whip your partner's face --- I refuse to partner girls with pony tails. In modern dance, plenty of women wear their hair in pony tail, they don't need a full bun because they're not being partnered. I think for guys in ballet class, a pony tail should probably be OK for many purposes.

[SeaMonkey]

hrm, I lied, he just pulled the top up.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/seam...oo/IMG_4247.jpg

 

 

I think for one of the other pieces he was cast in, he pulled it into a low pony tail and made a small, flat bun. Davidg, I generally pull my hair into a bun for modern, because there can be a lot of partnering in modern, like David Parsons and Paul Taylor.

[olddude]

Thanks to everyone for the useful feedback. Sounds like there's not really a problem with continuing my current practice - it'll be a long time before I see any partnering!

 

Mel, thanks for the "clubbing" idea. I tried it out, seems to be pretty easy to do. I'll pack the necessary equipment in my dance bag (except for the satin ribbons and bows!), just in case a teacher says something someday.

 

A happy non-denominational winter solstice holiday to everyone!

[Mel Johnson]

Great! We have a young fellow who works at Parks who has adopted this style. He needs to keep his hair contained so that it doesn't get caught in machinery. He uses a dark elastic to do the job. I'm sure that you can find an elastic to match your hair so that it has a becoming, almost mystifying look to it. ("Hmm, unusual hairstyle, wonder how the heck he does that?)

[olddude]

I'd go for the John Adams variation. Remember how in the movie 1776, William Daniels as the aforementioned Signer looked like he had a perfectly mid-1970s haircut, then when he was in profile, it became apparent that he had his back hair tied in a queue? Secure the hair behind with a rubber band, perhaps, and cover that over with a wide piece of grosgrain ribbon tied in a discreet bow. Auguste Vestris would approve.

 

If the hair still feels too long, "club" it. That is, double it in half and tie that way.

Just to put the final touch on this question from a year ago. Last spring I started to get past the most beginning level, and now classes have a more active center. So I began to "club" it in the easiest way - twist the ponytail, fold in half and let the halves twist themselves together. A second elastic or a small spring-loaded clip holds the mess together at the base. Easy, effective, and reliable.

 

Thanks, Mel!

[Guest TheBalletGuy]

Well Whatever you decide to do I hope its not to put it in a bun. I have seen a man in a bun before and it was really ockward.

 

-Luke