I think a lot of you know that I started growing my hair out for my wedding around 1.5 years ago. Now that the wedding is over, I have an appointment on Saturday to have the hair chopped off. I have made no secret both here and IRL of the fact that I am looking forward to losing all that excess hair. The long hair is driving me nuts - it's hot, heavy, gets tangled (when it's short I barely have to brush it), and is always getting everywhere (in my face, in my shower drain, stuck in my dress zipper, etc). I think I have worn it up (in my messy twist with claw clip) 75% of the time lately because it is so hot otherwise. Basically I feel like it's weighing me down, both literally and figuratively.

Anyway, I've been kind of surprised at how many people (not here, but IRL) have said, "noooo! don't do it!" when they find out I'm chopping it off. Their arguments are basically: 1) the long hair is pretty, and 2) you can style it in so many ways. Neither of these arguments holds much water for me, and here is why:

1) It's pretty. Sure, some people may think so, but short hair is not ugly. I've had it before and gotten tons of compliments on it too. I'm not interested in being the prettiest I can be. If that were the case, I'd actually style the hair and wear makeup. Also, long hair is pretty but also a young look, especially on someone like me who looks younger than she is. I think the short hair is much more sophisticated. I want to look my age, and I want to look somewhat professional and competent at my job, especially since I will be looking for independent positions in a year or two. I guess all this is to say that there are many things that are more important than being pretty to me.

Also, the implication that long hair = sexy/attractive to men/feminine bothers me on many levels (my feminist side and my shy side, just to name two).

2) It's so versatile to style. Yes, if you have a lot of time and a high tolerance for pain. I have neither, so there's about 2 ways that I ever style it, a big twist w/ claw clip, or a low, loose pony. Everything else requires time and styling products that I don't have, or causes massive scalp pain (this hair is HEAVY).

One other point: My husband prefers it long. I know that. He says it's because I had long hair when we met, and to be honest most men I've met just have this inexplicable love of long hair. But he also likes it fine when it's short, just not as much, so I'm not concerned about that. (If he actually hated it, I'd think about keeping it long.)

Anyway, over to you. What are your thoughts about long vs. short hair? How about on me in particular? (I will add that there is very little chance you will change my mind if you prefer the long hair, but I am still interested in what people think!)

ETA: More pics. Photos 3 and 4 are how it looks right now (taken with my webcam) with my messy claw clip twist since claire pointed out that I should post how it actually looks most of the time these days. Others are different shorter dos I've had. I will probably do something like 6/7, which is an inverted bob that's shorter in back.