Even the fire nation hairstyle was more practical. It was loose, but in a style where the parts most likely to fly in her face were tied back. Still impractical because it could be grabbed or catch in something but better. Long hair with little fairy braids? Yeah, so, I do my hair like that sometimes, too. But I'm not headed into war. At least Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, and (unless she changes it) Suki haven't fallen victim to vidual media's "but loose and flowing hair looks more dramatic."

I have hair as long as Katara's see that and all I can think when I see that is "OMG NO WIND GRABBING TANGLES OW NO PUT IT UP!!"