If you want to know about Victorian era hairstyles during the Victorian era, there are many types of Victorian styles to choose from. Unlike today, Victorian women did not generally wear their hair down or loose. However, they did occasionally wear their hair in waves or with flowers. White-haired wigs were quite expensive and could be an expensive alternative for a Victorian woman. In this article, you will learn more about different Victorian era hairstyles and which are best suited for you.
Plait Hairstyles Kept Hair Out Of The Way
During the Victorian era, women were expected to wear their hair long and loose. Any woman over 16 years old was considered impure. Women kept their hair up in elaborate updos to maintain their proper appearance. Plait hairstyles kept their hair out of their face, out of the way, and out of their way. While many women chose to leave their hair down during the era, some Victorian women favored this style.
While many Victorian women left their locks uncut or unstyled, plaits helped to keep their hair in place. This hairstyle helped women keep their locks from getting in the way during a busy day at work. It was also unobtrusive, making it less likely that an employer would object to it or offend the wearer. The plait hairstyle was also practical, allowing women to wear it for work without worrying about it being messy.
In the early nineteenth century, Queen Victoria became a fashion icon. She had a unique style of hair. The Gibson Girl was an independent, sporty, and simple woman, and the hairstyle she wore reflected her new image. This style was easy to wear and was popular in the Victorian era. A plait was one of the easiest ways to keep hair out of the way during this time.
Plait hairstyles kept women’s hair out of the way, and remained popular throughout the era. They were also popular during the Victorian era. Victorian women were well known for their romantic tendrils and elaborate coiffures. Victorian women used antique hair accessories to keep their hair in place. Some wore their hair in plaits during weddings and other important events.
After the 1840s, women began wearing their hair down to cover their ears. In many communities, letting hair down in public was considered flirtatious. However, most women were married, so keeping it up was the preferred option. Poorer women often sold their hair to create extensions. These styles were often made to cover the ears, but they were not popular for all women. If you want to see what the Victorian women wore, check out their style guide in My Likeness Taken: Daguerreian Portraits
White Haired Wigs Were Expensive
In the late Victorian era, wigs were an extremely expensive item. They were usually made from human or horse hair, and required a significant amount of upkeep. In addition to human and horse hair, there were many different powdered colours to choose from. Victorians were very particular about their appearance, so wearing a wig was not something most people would do on a daily basis.
Hair powder was a common choice for Victorian men, as men wore powdered coifs at social and formal occasions. In fact, some high court officials in England still wear powdered coifs! This style of wig, known as a “powder coif,” was very expensive. Moreover, men were often accused of hiding diseases. However, the use of hair powder was discouraged by the government, which eventually passed the Hair Powder Act of 1795 during the reign of William Pitt the Younger. Buying powdered hair powder required a certificate costing a minimum of PS100.
While wigs were expensive in the late Victorian era, they were not terribly expensive. The popularity of powdered wigs sprang from various factors, including venereal disease, the need to cover one’s head, and societal concerns over cleanliness. The American Revolution, however, loosened the distinctions between classes. As a result, women began to think of themselves as equals, which led to the banishment of hair powder.
The use of wigs was also common among men during the late 17th century. Men, in particular, were often dressed in their best clothes, and wore wigs to give themselves an advantage over men. The popularity of wigs was so widespread that it eventually became an accessory of the high-class, the military, and the professional classes. The full-bottomed version, or periwig, was particularly common among the British high-class and royalty.
Victorian era wigs were expensive and often made of animal fat. Women wearing these wigs were also forced to powder their hair and many times never took them out. As a result, the wigs would eventually be cemented into the real teeth with tartar and eventually be swallowed whole. The reasons for wearing wigs during the nineteenth century were often much more sinister than mere vanity. In the Victorian era, bald women were considered the descendents of syphilitics.
Titus Style Vs Marcel Style
During the late eighteenth century, men began sporting short, choppy haircuts called the coiffure a la Titus. The short hair was styled around the head, with ringlets hanging loosely from the sides. These hairstyles were often decorated with feathers and other accessories. The Victorians feared that this hairstyle would not last, as it was considered unfeminine and harmful to their health.
By the 1880s, pompadours were popular. High-up hairstyles featured hair that was swept over the forehead. Often, fake hair pieces were added to the style to give it a little extra height. At this time, the hairstyle known as the “titus” began to be popular. This style involved cutting the hair close around the head and curling it with various ornaments. By the end of the decade, these styles had almost disappeared.
The first of these two styles was influenced by classical Greek and Roman art. Titus was a trimmed short cut on the sides and back, with the front portion cropped longer. It was intended to mimic the hairstyle of the Roman Emperor Titus. The Brutus style was a more severe version of the Titus, and was popularized by Beau Brummell. Both styles required time, patience, and bear fat oil. Men had to apply a beard-fat pomade to their hair. Some used scented pomades called Pomade de Nerole or Graffa to keep it looking as well as possible. In the early nineteenth century, these styles were rarely washed, and night caps were worn to protect their pillows from the harsh light.
Long Ringlets
Hairstyles with long ringlets were popular during the Victorian era, but not all of them were appropriate. These styles were typically only worn by children or young women in intimate settings. In addition to hats and bonnets, women often added twists or hair switches to their hairstyles. A Victorian hairstyle with long ringlets was often described as a Victorian “Girlzilla,” which resembles a modern day Gibson Girl.
Before the Victorian era, boys typically wore short, unstyled hair. However, after 1885, this style was becoming more widespread and was extended to older boys. It was not common to see boys with ringlets, but a number of boys had them by the late nineteenth century, including this younger Harrison. The younger Harrison boy’s ringlets were also often made with a hair bow.
During the Victorian era, women wore their hair in full ringlets on one side. The back part of the hair was arranged in plaits, caught by a handsome comb. This style was also common in painting and photography from the early nineteenth century. It is worth noting that ringlets were not worn all the time. These styles were often combined with other hairstyles for an elaborate appearance.
In paintings from the Victorian era, you can often find pictures of young girls sporting these styles. You can also find pictures of older sisters with these hairstyles. While they may not be as glamorous as modern women, they do show the Victorian era’s appreciation for women’s hairstyles. So, why not try it yourself and be the Victorian diva? There are plenty of ways to make ringlets look modern and beautiful.
If you love Victorian hairstyles, you can recreate them at home by using faux hairpieces. There are various types of Victorian hairpieces available to choose from, including wigs and partial faux hairpieces. The style of Victorian women’s hairstyles often corresponds to a signature look of the era. A center part for the Civil War era, ringlets for the Southern belles, and large braided buns for the 1880s are just some of the signature hairstyles that exemplify Victorian style.
FAQ
What Hairstyles Were Popular During The Victorian Era For Women?
If you’re wondering what hairstyles women wore during the Victorian era, you’re not alone. During this era, women wore hair in a variety of different styles, ranging from simple updos to elaborate braids. These styles were mostly meant to complement their overall body silhouette.