Early Victorian Hairstyles

Apollo Knot (1829)

Hairstyles during the victorian period changed drastically as it was Queen Victoria's reign was so long (1837 - 1901). For early Victorian hairstyles I will be focusing on the period from about 1830 - 1860.

At the start of the era the apollo knot was fashionable this was inspired by Queen Victoria which was constructed by a plain or coiled plait attached onto wires to create loops that were worn vertically on top of the head, they then proceeded to become more natural and demure with no use of artificial products and was left dry and natural, often parted in the centre, and drawn into a bun or coil with curls that fell either side of the face.

Bust of Queen Victoria

 Sometimes the hair would be plaited at either side and looped round the ears as this was seen as attractive at the time. The hair would usually sit at the level of the jaw, and was styled cleanly, simply and modestly, the hair was not cut therefore it was long and one length. Hairstyles mirrored the aspirations and social changes that were occurring at the time, the industrial revolution saw the rise of the middle class and brought new fashions for these people, there were soaps to clean the hair as washing had become more accessible, however this often left the hair stringy and dry.

Charlie Arndt Clean and Groomed.

At the beginning of the century wigs were often worn by the older generation of men, however this was not seen as fashionable and dropped off around the middle of the period. Men were also a fan of grooming and styling their beards and facial hair, hair was often relatively long and curly, they often favoured side partings and the hair was usually high to fit under the top hats that were popular at the time. Moustaches, sideburns were the height of fashion but they were groomed to perfection but there was also a trend called 'a la mode' which was a puritan hairstyle where people sported no moustaches and sideburns that was attached by a short beard, a leading example of this look was Abraham Lincoln.

Unknown. (Unknown). The Hair at the Nineteenth Century. Available: http://thehistoryofthehairsworld.com/hair_19th_century.html. Last accessed 9th Feb 2016.

Wald, D. (Unknown). Hair: the styling of society. Available: http://www.chertseymuseum.org/hair. Last accessed 9th Feb 2016.