Hair in the Victorian Era

Due to the fact that the Victorian Era ran from 1837 to 1901, Fashion and particularly hairstyles changed throughout this time. Most hairstyles can be divided into either early or late Victorian styles, as there was a noticeable change in hair about halfway through the era.

Early Victorian hairstyles featured either a mid or high bun, which had been twisted into shape. I noticed from pictures that sometimes the hair was plaited before being twisted into the bun to give a different effect and would help to deal with the length of the women's hair (Women did not cut their hair in the Victorian Period). This twisting method was the original method of bun making that came before contemporary styles such as the 'Fake Donut' method that we learned in class. The hair was centre parted and slicked flat to the head. The signature look of the early Victorian years was the very short, tight curls which hung at around the jaw length. These curls were sometimes twisted and looped over the ears, but the weight always stayed around jawline. The favoured accessory in this time was the Bonnet.

From 1860 onwards, the hairstyles became a lot softer and more romantic. The curls on the sides of the face became longer, and were sometimes also worn at the back of the head. The curling tongs were invented in 1866, these first versions were simply a metal rod which was warmed in a miniature oven, and the hair was wrapped around to create the curl. Women discovered using padding 'rats' made from their old hair which they would gather up, and use to create larger looking hairstyles. Hairstyles slowly grew over the next decade, and it was popular to either cut a fringe in, or pin the curls so to look like a fringe. Hair decorations became increasingly popular and women started using flowers, ribbons and even jewelled combs to decorate the hair. Hairstyles became tighter into the head towards the end of the era but kept the height on the top, often in a tight tile bun. Francois Marcel had invented the 'Marcel Wave' in 1972 which created more loosely crimped looking styles.

The Barrington House Educational Center, L.L.C. (no date) Bartos Collection. The Barrington House Educational Center, L.L.C. Available at: http://bartoscollection.com/vehairstylesbyera.html (Accessed: 24 January 2015).

Victorian Era (no date). Victorian Era. Available at: http://victorianeracnr.blogspot.co.uk (Accessed: 24 January 2015).