Ok I am a substitute teacher in south carolina...not the worlds most accepting place. Anyway, I want natural dreads really bad. thing is, I can't do it with the job i have. i was thinking i could let my hair get longer and start dreading (it's above my shoulders now) and pull it in a pony tail when i teach so that maybe it won't look so "messy". my question is, is there any way that while I am at work and can't wear a hat or bandana is there any way that i can control my hair so that the mess is minimal and i can finally allow it to do its thing? thanks everyone.
This may sound funny, but I've gotten more compliments on my hair since I just stopped combing. I put it back in a pony or half pony, with or without a headband and you can barely notice that my hair is messy underneath. I bet the neglect method would be a good way to go
Might depend if your hair is naturally curly or straight. My hair is curly, so when I pull it back in a loose ponytail, people can't really distinguish the dreads. But if your hair is straight, that might not work.
you could always pull back into a pony and wear a headwrap or something, surely those are more acceptable in a professional environment than a hat or a bandana. A user here by the name of Arlia has a lot of really nice ones on her etsy shop. http://www.arliaflower.etsy.com/
I have to look professional and I've been letting it knot up naturally for a bit over a year now... it definitely helps if it's long enough to put up. I wear mine in a bun on top of my head, and while it's somewhat noticable (especially as the dreads become more defined), it still looks fine. Like colorfulhippie I also get more compliments! It's actually MUCH easier to wear up when it's knotty. No hair pins required
