About Ponytails

Ponytail is the name that is given to a hair style in which the hair is gathered together and hangs down the back of the head. The name derives from its resemblance to the tail of a horse. Usually a ponytail is gathered through and held in place by a rubber band or a similar elastic device.

History

The ponytail has traditionally been a hairstyle for women rather than men in Western civilizations. Ponytails were the standard hair style of many men in ancient Japan as well as in African cultures like the Miango tribe. A style similar to a ponytail, known as a queue, was popular among European men during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Among women, the ponytail has always been considered an informal style. Women in Victorian England, for instance, sometimes wore an elegantly braided ponytail indoors, but would rarely be seen outdoors or at public events sporting this style.

Male Ponytails

Although acceptable in some cultures for centuries, it was only during the latter part of the twentieth century that it became acceptable for men in Western countries to sport ponytails. This is due in large part to the general acceptance of hair long enough to allow for a ponytail on men following the fashion revolutions of the 1960s.

Benefits

One of the primary reasons to wear hair in a ponytail is convenience. A ponytail keeps hair from falling into one's face or from getting into food or machinery. Because it is simple to put long hair into a ponytail, the convenience of the style cannot be overestimated.

Function

Another important function of the ponytail is that it is an easy way to deal with hair that has gotten dirty or unmanageable. A person may not have time to wash their hair and style it and, so it becomes easier to simply put it into a ponytail. The style itself hides many problems, and is used as a quick solution to many hair-related problems.

Considerations

One consideration for men who wear a ponytail is that modern media has done much to transform the style into one that connotes an edgy or even a dangerous quality. Many villains in Hollywood films since the 1980s have worn their hair in ponytails, often with a Van Dyke beard or goatee for added effect. Action hero Steven Seagal is probably more responsible than any other man for endowing the ponytail with this sense of menace.

Types

The standard type of ponytail is worn directly down the center of the back of the head. A more elegant type of ponytail is worn on the side, often so that it hangs over the shoulder. A high ponytail is even more elegant, and sprouts off the top of the hair from a crown of hair. The half-pony is a popular style endorsed by several female celebrities. Some people braid their ponytails, while otherss only use it when they are wearing a baseball cap for a casual glamor look.

Warning

Even though the ponytail is popular as an efficient means for dealing with troubled hair, it is a good idea to make sure there are no knots or tangles in the hair before putting it into ponytail. When the hair is removed from the ponytail, it may make dealing with these knots and tangles more difficult. If you have the time, use it to work out any knots and tangles in the hair, especially at the base of the intended ponytail.