Brad Pitt enters the Oscars, and the crowd goes wild. Because, ever since he cut his teeth bedding and burgling down on their luck runaways in 1991's Thelma & Louise, it's been clear that he possesses that intangible, nebulous quality that gets people all silly and giddy – Hollywood's equivalent of a nice dog on a school playground. You goddit, kid! What 'it' exactly is, though, is unclear – but 'it' affords Pitt certain liberties, like wearing a trilby to a premiere and nobody really minding, and growing in a teeny, tiny ponytail at this year's Oscars. The crowd (and the internet), again, went wild.
Presenting the award for best supporting actress (which was accepted by Minari's Youn Yuh-jung in the evening's most noteworthy speech), Pitt had swept what's typically his classic longer men's hairstyle into a ponytail. "MY favourite up and coming actor is Brad Pitt's ponytail" said distressingly named Twitter user, @touchingcheeses. And @danacas1101 concurred: "Brad Pitt has a ponytail and I'm slightly worried about how into it I am." And, though there were a few detractors with really quite mean things to say, it was clear that Pitt's ponytail was seen as A Good Thing.
But is it a universal one? "Funnily enough, when I first started hairdressing, a well-known session stylist told me: 'The hardest thing you'll ever have to do in your career is a ponytail'. He was right to a certain extent," says Betty Lingwood of Ruffians barbers. "The ponytail is one of the hardest things to achieve. I've seen models cry at how tightly they're pulled. That said, I'm sure Brad didn't go through this, and I think the everyday ponytail is something most people can do."
Of course, you need long-ish hair – and the genetics that abet a good, thick head of long-ish hair. "If you have full, curly hair, a nice messy ponytail thrown up with your hands works perfectly," says Lingwood. "But if you have fine, wispy or thinning hair, do not attempt a ponytail. I'd recommend a more classic hairstyle for men as it'll only emphasise the thinning. And if you're receding, it's not the best option either."
While it can be tempting to avoid the barbers altogether to promote hair growth, know that they can actually hasten the process of a good ponytail. "I would suggest asking for a haircut with minimal layering, as the layers tend to jut out when pulled back," says Lingwood. "Ask for a one length cut to keep your hair in good condition at the ends, and if you want shape around the face, ensure you ask that it is long enough to pull back. Or be prepared for a fringe."
During a time when many guys have come to appreciate some newfound length by token of everything being shut for the last four months, a ponytail, much like Pitt's, can seem like the obvious progression. If he's doing it, why can't you? A fair question. But as a hairstyle that's still marred by the spirit of trustfunders in Goa with dubious opinions on modern medicine, and thus likely a contentious move among your circle of friends, don't be surprised if you get a cooler reception than Mr Pitt did at the Oscars. That's because he's fucking Brad Pitt.
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