what your hair means to you & my teenage pixie cut

Would you mourn the loss of your hair if you shaved it off as a fundraiser? What if you had no choice? 

This article on Worn Fashion Journal about alopecia is worth a read. The print version of the online magazine has received quite a few accolades, though this was my first time reading it. Thank you Remi, for the beautiful photographs, and for drawing it to my attention. 

It made me think about my attachment to my hair, as I've always loved it no matter what shape it's taken. Contrary to my hair narcissism, the author of the alopecia article, Marie-Camille Lalande, notes that she "was already the kind of person who saw value in going against the norm and challenging expectations of female attractiveness, of femaleness period". And long hair is synonymous with femininity; I think many women don't cut it off because of that, when in fact a shorter hair cut would suit them better. 

I've actually cut my hair off twice into a pixie cut, and happy I did it - I think it was quite cute and I'm sure I'll revisit in my later years. 

That's me with a teenage pixie cut, I'm sixteen and sitting in Mr. Vipond's grade eleven biology class. The hyper-blonde happened because my grandfather had passed away probably two months prior to this photo, and my purple hair had to be bleached out for the funeral. Yes, I had purple hair. It was a brief tumultous time of my teenage years that lasted all of six weeks, and yet I am well remembered for. Truly unpleasant were the many awkward moments between that cut and growing the collarbone length hair in my graduation photos. 

Even if I'm unprepared to go through an awkward grow out, would I? No. I couldn't do it to Andrew. He loves my long hair, especially in a ponytail, and I love that he loves it. Yes, it's wrapped up in societal standards of femininity, and it's a shame it takes so much effort to care for, but the way he looks at me when I slick my hair back and dress up for the night? Completely worth it. Would I be sad if I lost my hair due to illness the way Marie-Camille did? Likely, and I'm grateful that's not my present moment. I hope I would exhibit similar grace, as well as hone my scarf tying skills.