I hate short hair on men - the 'real' man is something I don't know. My dad was always playing with hairbands, making rings, while the women were wearing jeans, white T-shirts and Converse. That was the uniform at home.

In this quote, Lou Doillon expresses her personal views on masculinity and gender roles, specifically relating to the appearance of men. She mentions that she hates short hair on men, suggesting that she associates longer hair with a more authentic or natural form of masculinity, something that perhaps feels more genuine to her. Doillon’s reference to the “real man” reveals her uncertainty about the conventional norms of masculinity and her personal detachment from traditional ideas of what makes a man “real” or authentic.

She also reflects on her childhood experiences, where her father played a significant role in shaping her perspective. Her dad was involved in more creative and unconventional activities, like playing with hairbands and making rings, while the women around her adhered to a more casual, uniform style of jeans, white T-shirts, and Converse shoes. This imagery paints a picture of a family dynamic that blended the typically gendered roles of men and women, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity. The uniform at home was unisex, highlighting a kind of equality and fluidity in their expressions of identity.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Doillon's reflections on her upbringing in a creative and non-traditional environment. Growing up in a family where boundaries between gender roles were blurred, Doillon may have developed a unique perspective on masculinity and femininity. The influence of her father’s unorthodox actions likely shaped her sense of identity and her resistance to societal expectations about gender expression.

Ultimately, Doillon’s quote speaks to a broader reflection on how individuality, creativity, and personal expression intersect with societal norms. She challenges conventional ideas about gender and appearance, suggesting that true authenticity comes from embracing unconventional forms of self-expression rather than adhering to prescribed norms of masculinity and femininity.