I've just stumbled onto this forum, so I really HOPE that I'm posting this question in the right place...  =)  What I would like to know is which hair styles are the best (most flattering??!?) for severely overweight women?  There are many extremely heavy or severely overweight women in our Church.  We are trying to determine WHAT TYPE of hairstyle is best suited for this body type...

One woman has very short hair, sort of spiked on top right now.  Another one has short hair that is feathered back along the sides.  Three of them right now have long hair - one ladie's is long and straight, another one's is long and very thick and fuzzy, and one's is long, and VERY dry and overall thinning out.

I've heard it said that long hair makes heavyset people appear to be shorter, which in turn makes them appear to be even heavier...

...but then I've also heard that short hair directs your attention to the fact that there is a 'LOT OF BODY' down underneath that hairstyle!  *grin* 

SO ~ HELP!!!!  =)  I really do NOT know how I wish to style my own hair, and yes - I AM one of these aforementioned ladies!  I've tried to make up my mind a dozen times about how to have it cut and styled, but cannot seem to find anything out!  I was hoping to find a site with a bunch of different styles where you could just put a photo of your face in there to see how you'd look in  a particular style or cut.  (or color, I suppose...)

Any ideas??!?  =)  I would really like to have my hairstyle be appropriaate for very overweight middle-aged woman.  (I'm 48)  I hope that this is enough background information for someone to be able to help point me in the right direction...

Thank you!!

I agree that short cut-close-to-the-head hair isn't that suitable on a fuller figure woman.  Personally I'd try and stick to something that is straight like a bob.  Look up styles that suit a "round" type face (you know how there are rectangle, heart, egg and round). 

I personally believe people who are over weight should have hair no longer then the shoulder. Short hair that surrounds your face will force people to stay at your face and not wander down any further.

That's just my thought. But I'm a huge fan of go with whatever makes you feel good, if it's short  then go with short, if its long then go with long. Your hair an extention of your personal style and experssion of you.

I second PurpleBubba´s opinion. I think you should focus less on the weight issue and more on what kind of hairstyle fits your personality. Looking a little bit thinner will not make that much difference for you, but feeling at ease and happy about your hair and your look will. I think clothing is a more powerful tool to use if you want to appear a little thinner.

My best tip for anyone is this: play up your strengths! If you have a beautiful forehead and beautiful eyes, don´t hide them behind bangs. And if you have pretty ears, pull your hair back, frame them with a little curl and use a pretty little earring. That´s what people will remember your for, and that projects confidence. Confidence is attractive.

I hope you find a good hairstyle for you!

I too agree that whatever makes YOU feel good is what should go with.

My personal opinion is long hair though....I just LOVE it.  And if you have healthy, nice hair....then its just one more beautiful asset you have whether your big or small....red, yellow, black, brown, or white.   

I agree with Purplebub and Vicktoria.  Not all plus size gals have "round faces".  Always looka the best features and play them up.

Me, myself, just lost over the last 2 years 78 pounds.  I went from a size 24 to a 14.  When I was bigger I alwys wore my hair long, half-way down my back in a Bridget Bardow fashion.  It just looks the best on me at any size.

Before anyone asks me about my diet, let me just say I have medical issues that prevented me from losing weight.  The problem was finally diagnosed after 10 years of searching, treated and I was able to finally lose.  My body has "settled" at this size 14 so this must be where God wants me.  I was at the doctor today and while the nurse weighed me she started the scale out 50 pounds lighter than I actually was.  She said WOW you don't look that weight and I said Thank you.

Believe me, it's all in the adittude.  Many many many of my clients told me that they never really thought I had to lose in the first place because of my confidence.

BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE!!  Right where you are at!!!   And grow where you are planted!!!!!!

Love L  

I am a heavy gal with tapered shoulder - length hair, and in my opinion it is more about the style, as well as where your weight is distributed than the cut. I personally have to have some hair no shorter than at my last double chin. (grr) some people are overweight but don't have as big of a face as I do, thus can handle a short style. I have several friends who have the pear shape and whose faces aren't a round blob like me, who can cary off a shorter bob. Volume is important I think. Slicked back styles look awful on me. I like what Delta Burke says "big hair means closer to God." lol! I can't say much about long hair, since mine hasn't been longer than shoulder length for a while, but stars like Wynonna Judd look fabulous to me. I have to say that once your hair gets really long you are probably going to wear it up alot for protection anyway so I don't know if you can really hide behind it but I am just making assumptions. for me, the shorter my hair is the more I notice every bulge, but that may not be true for some people. I think first and foremost make sure the hair is healthy, long hair is unatractive when it is severely damaged, and like others have said, go with what is comfortable. Hope this helps!

Wendy

also never let anyone tell you that you are too old to have long hair! I am tired of hearing that! I have a 65 year old neighbor with beautiful gray waistlength hair and she typically wears it in two braids. She looks gorgeous. (sorry about my soap box moment but I read somewhere that anyone over 18 looks rediculous with hair longer than shoulder length and it made me hopping mad!)

Wendy

eKatherine wrote: I think very short hair makes very large women look like they have tiny heads. Just my opinion.

this is so trueee..i wear my hair with volume so that it evens out the rest of my body. im not that big but still i need to look even and not like i have a little head. =x