Short Q On Crewcut

[Guest AlexanderG]

Is there anyway you can tell in advance whether a crewcut will make you look more masculine - or more feminine? Depends on the form of your skull or something right?

[Guest Djeridoo]

From what I've seen, crew cuts can be pretty hit or miss, considering females have different hairline and head shapes than males, and a crew cut can emphasize that point. Not to mention, I've seen quite a few lesbians get something like a crew cut or similar. Many FTMS I've seen with crew cuts sometimes just end up making themselves look more like a lesbian than a guy.

But perhaps I'm just a bit biased (I'm not a fan of the crew cut myself, and find it only works particularly well on very few people).

Personally, I tell myself, "Don't look like you're trying too hard to look like a guy," because at times trying too hard to look male (such as shaving one's head) can actually prove more counter-productive than not. I see a lot of lesbians and FTMs go for the crew cut and similar styles, but in reality I've not seen a whole lot of men outside of the police force and the military and the like who actually have crew cuts (could just be my area though, who knows).

This is just my opinion though, based on my own experiences.

[Guest nymphblossom]

I would recommend going with a flat top instead of a crew cut. It is the only undeniably male hair style and looks great on all guys even those who are balding. I wore one for years and even cut it myself. Not military tight, just clippers with a #3 comb on the sides and back, and a flat topper to get the top pool table flat.

Blossom

[Guest AlexanderG]

Now I'm confused... I think I got the wrong terms... or at least I'm not sure. What I meant was to get my head shaven with one of those electric things, same length all over? Ehm... cuz I wanted to see what it'd be like on me

so that it's all the same length & grows out a bit like this in 1.5 months:

[Guest JeanVier]

Good question, Alex.

I recently went into the local Hair Cuttery (hey, $15 haircut!) and requested a cut much like you describe-- the same length all over, with the ears cut out, the back in a straight line (not in a V like women's short cuts). I could not bring myself to call it a 'crew cut' because that would raise Gender Questions and I live in a fairly conservative suburban/rural area, so... But, anyway, I think the stylist used the next size shorter than a #3 (is it a 2.5 or a 3.5?).

When she was finished, we admired it and I complimented her. She said that she had never done this type of cut on a girl before (*grr*), and I feigned surprise, asking her, "Oh, this is a popular cut for guys?" She confirmed.

But, then she said something that has weighed on my mind ever since... I have had my hair 3" or shorter for about three years, so my hair is used to the style, but the hairstylist touched the top back of my hair, and remarked on how it "stood up" and that guys' hair does not do that. I asked her why this was, and she said that she thought it was biological, that guys' hair grows in differently, so they can have a short (but flat and tame) hairstyle, while women's hair stands up in the back.

I am dubious, but this might be something to consider when going super-short... Has anyone ever heard of this theory? Can a FTM and a birth-male be distinguished on the basis of the behaviour of their hair?

Arg, this sounds silly, but I thought I would pass it on.

-JV

[Guest Pól]

On the question of the crewcut, it depends on where you live also. If you live in an area that's very LGBT friendly, you may be more easily mistaken for a lesbian. If you live in an area that has very few out LGBT people, it may help you pass better. Skull shape, face shape, eyebrows, and ears also play factors.

JeanVier, all my brothers (and I) have hair that 'sticks up' in the back in various places. I did hear about a study comparing gay and straight men using the direction of swirl patterns of hair on the back of the head, but my recollection was that the results showed a slight correlation but were inconclusive. I think she was either making stuff up or telling you an old wives tale to further emphasize (to herself) that you're female and not male and that there's 'evidence' of that (i.e. she may have been overcompensating because she was uncomfortable with gender ambiguity).

[Guest nymphblossom]

You have it right, AlexanderG. A crew cut is the same length all over and follows the shape of the head. It doesn't look right on some people. A flat top is is longer on the top so it can be made flat. The guard number is how many eighths of an inch of hair the clippers cut the hair (ie #3 is 3/8", #4 is 1/2").

Blossom

[Guest nymphblossom]

And you may want to try a virtual hairstyle makeover first like the one at:

http://www.hairstylezone.com/everyday.htm#demo

Blossom

[Guest AlexanderG]

You have it right, AlexanderG. A crew cut is the same length all over and follows the shape of the head. It doesn't look right on some people. A flat top is is longer on the top so it can be made flat. The guard number is how many eighths of an inch of hair the clippers cut the hair (ie #3 is 3/8", #4 is 1/2").

Blossom

Thanks heeps!!!

Hm... how to find out how the cut looks on me though.

I'm being mistaken for a lesbian as it is, and I can't say I really like it.

The thing is, the coming month-and-a-half I have no work, no school, no job interviews. & my hair grows pretty fast. So I'm thinking... chance it & look like a fool for a while... or no? Hehe.

*whines I want Mika's hair*

[Guest rachael1]

The only way to find out is to do it, you could play it safe and just have the hairdresser use a number four comb to start with and perhaps a number three on the sides if you want a flat top.

Someone once told me the only difference between a good haircut and bad haircut is two weeks!

Rachael

[Guest JeanVier]

Pól, what you said:

"I think she was either making stuff up or telling you an old wives tale to further emphasize (to herself) that you're female and not male and that there's 'evidence' of that (i.e. she may have been overcompensating because she was uncomfortable with gender ambiguity)."

...makes so much sense. I thought a difference in hair between men and women seemed very unlikely, but she seemed certain... *shrugs* Thanks!

Alex-- If you have two or three weeks where your appearance might be less of a public concern, go for it! Hair grows quickly, and, like Rachael said, two weeks can make a tremendous difference.

-JV

[Guest Pól]

Pól, what you said:

"I think she was either making stuff up or telling you an old wives tale to further emphasize (to herself) that you're female and not male and that there's 'evidence' of that (i.e. she may have been overcompensating because she was uncomfortable with gender ambiguity)."

...makes so much sense. I thought a difference in hair between men and women seemed very unlikely, but she seemed certain... *shrugs* Thanks!

-JV

I'm really glad that makes sense to you because now that I'm going back and re-reading it, I wasn't very clear with what I meant at all.

People do weird things when they're uncomfortable.

Also, Alex, I'll third JeanVier's and Rachel's suggestion to try it and wait two weeks and see. Like JV said though, pick a time when you don't need to give a speech in public or get an official photo taken or anything.

This page from Hudson's guide and these pages here, and here may also be useful for explaining to the barber exactly what you want.

[Guest joeytheman16]

I recently went into the local Hair Cuttery (hey, $15 haircut!) and requested a cut much like you describe-- the same length all over, with the ears cut out, the back in a straight line (not in a V like women's short cuts).

To everyone,

The V or W in the back is not just a women's thing. It is a natural hair line that covers almost everyone. If you are getting your haircut by someone who doesn't want you to look a little weird when it starts growing out, they will leave whatever hairline you have alone. If you do get the straight line cut, in about 2-3 weeks it will look like your hairdresser missed or took a huge chunk out of your hair.

Sorry about the long drawn out explanation. Comes from being a hairdressers son.

Joey

[Guest AlexanderG]

Thnx everyone, and thnx Pol, those were helpful links!

OK I went to the barber's but I decided to be wise and not get a crewcut and, most probably, look like a fool or a lesbian (or a lesbian fool ). Or you could say I chickened out, sure.

I did say I wanted a men's cut in particular, thinking I'd not chance it with my I'mnotsurehowmaleIlook-look, so the guy noted me down for his colleague. I showed him the pic but my hair's not long enough for that. He cut it men's enough though I think, with the ears out and the short-sides-longer-on-top. It should grow out to become more or less like that pic. But either way I look neat for Christmas, hehe. Neat & guyish. I'll see if I get 'ma'am'ed or 'sir'ed tomorrow...

[Guest AlexanderG]

On tha tnote, the longer-on-top-short-on-sides takes some getting used to?? *hopes T will eventually take away some of that fat on my face*

[Guest i is Sam :-)]

you can have my face if you like, i could barely shave this morning after the mess i made of myself yesterday, had to go out looking like i'd spent the night on a park bench.

[Guest AlexanderG]

you can have my face if you like, i could barely shave this morning after the mess i made of myself yesterday, had to go out looking like i'd spent the night on a park bench.

naaawww

ugh. OK. the hair's an official total failure. I look like a woman trying to look like a guy. *gets out cap and vows to wear it for at least 2 weeks*

[Guest insanitylives]

it can't be *that* bad...

[Sally]

Alexander, Sweetie,

We are always our own worst critics so don't be too down - you probably look fantastic and don't even know it.

I have always felt that I look horrible but others seem to see the me that I want to be while I still cannot.

If you believe that you look good and walk about like you are proud it won't matter if it is a good haircut for you or not.

Attitude works for hair too.

If you project that you are a guy with the wrong haircut someone will suggest another style for you 'bro' if you go out apologetic and trying to hide they will call you all kinds of names but 'bro' will not be among them.

I have known so many basically unattractive women who project an aura of beauty and everyone sees it - but they are still unattractive and popular - life is altered by perception it is how we can control some situations in our lives.

I was a tall skinny guy in college and i never had an actual fight in my life but I projected an aura of authority that made people listen - I broke up a number of fights because both combatants were afraid that I was going to beat them both - I couldn't have I knew nothing about fighting but I had studied how to be a man from matching movies with strong silent heroes like Gary Cooper and later the troubled heroes like Branndo and James Dean and I emulated them.

The perception was that I could 'Take' any one of them with no effort - I never did anything to change that perception - it is all in what you project that controls what people receive.

I have to this day never been in a fight but I have stopped many by just arriving or saying a couple of words - I thought of me as the Fonz and they reacted when I snapped my fingers - sorry guys the girls weren't fooled none arrived when I snapped my fingers.

Give the haircut a chance - go out determined that it is perfect and everyone will just see you as a guy.

When at work in male mode I wear my hair in a ponytail that is about 7 inches long, I go out around town in male mode (sadly) with it down well beyond my shoulders and when presenting male everyone sees me as male but with the same two hairstyles I pass easily as female when in my proper mindset, it is easier for me but if you believe you are male they will, if you don't why should they.

Sorry that got a little long.

Love ya,

Sally