Victorian Gothic Horror: Victorian Hairstyles

The Victorian Era Was during the period of Queen Victoria's Reign during 1837-1901. It was a period of peace, refined sensibilities and conservation. The women were not as extravagant or outrageous with their appearance as they might have been in the past, instead, they aimed for a natural, feminine, neat and reserved appearance. I will be looking into the hairstyles worn throughout this period.

1930-1940

Continuing on from the previous decade; the Top knot was still Fashioned amongst most women, However it became higher, and less wide. It was consisted of flat loops,a dn bows of the hair and sometimes intertwined with braids, pearls flowers, feathers and other decorative items. The hair continued to still be brushed and combed flat and sleek to the head, and with a center parting. THe decorative curls were fashioned to the sides of the face and usually covered the ears; and generally ended up being more prominent than the topknot itself.

Towards the middle of the decade the topknot and curls became looser. The Topknot shrank, and moved to the back of the head. The tight ringlets at the side of the head loosened, turning into long spirals. Or alternatively they would be plaited, and sometimes they disapeared altogether. The hair still remained sleek and flat to the head however.

1831 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair page 513)

1834 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 513)

G- 1838, K- 1839
(Richard Corson- Fashion in Hair page 517)

1940 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 517)

1940-1950

The hairstyles in this Decade more or less stayed the same as the previous decade, with only a few modifications. The hair was still flat and sleek against the head, and the same partings as before, Occasionally the bun was higher than the crown but more often than not, it was lower. The side hair was still just as important, occasionally consisting of one or more spiral Curls, but big looping plait, exposing the ears, became alot more common.
Later on in the decade the plaits, at the side of the head gradually began to be coiled in front of the ear. Braids were used extensively at the back of the head, or over the top.
As the Decade went by the use of side curls and brides were used less and less, with the exception of evening wear. The bands of the hair were simply brought down and over the ear, then carried to the back. The trend of using decorative accessories like feathers, grapes, lace, flowers etc. carried on, especially in the evening.

1841 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 519)

1842 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 519)

1844 (Richard Corson- Fashions in hair Page 519)

1847 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 521)

1849 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair Page 521)

1850-1860

The Hair in this Era was styled Simply, and the trend of longer hair was starting to become exceedingly popular, and carried on as such for a long period of time. The hair was still middle parted and styled so that nearly all of the hair is used at the front of the head. The hair is puffed and then smoothed over the sides of the face, covering the ears.

1851-1854 (Richard Corson Fashions in Hair, Page 523)

1854-1857 (Richard Corson Fashions in Hair, Page 527)

1858-1859 (Richard Corson Fashions in Hair, Page 527)

1860-1870

The Hair was still parted down the middle of the head, and the hair at the sides of the head still covered the ears. The back portion of the hair, however, was generally fashioned into a twisted plait, or looped plaits. The hair was frequently decorated with ornaments like feathers, pearls, flowers, ribbons etc.
As the decade progressed, the wearing of twisted plaits, progressed into just low rolls by the nape of the neck, often more than one roll was worn. Plaits were sometimes worn to decorate the rolls. The rolls secured with decorative combs.
Towards the middle of the decade, The sides of the hair began to be pulled back slightly so the ears were shown, but the middle parting was still visible.
By the end of the decade, middle parting were beginningt o slowly fade, being replaced by short curls, an the rolls at the back of the head, were becoming higher. They also began to have loose decorative ringlets flowing from them.

1860 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 229)

1961 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 231)

1863 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 231)

1865 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 233)

1866 (Richard Corson- Fahions in Hair Page 235)

1869 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 237)

1870-1880

During this Decade Chignons, and Coiffures were in full effect, and by far the most common style. The hair is completely off from the sides of the face, and are puffed and pulled back at the temples, styled into waves to soften the look. A few curls were then fashioned just above the brow. The back of the hair is worn straight back, and fastened and confined into a net. Those with alot of hair still wore it in thick plaits, turned up and fastened at the top of the head, then decorated with robbons and Bows. No curls were worn but only 'frizzles' over the forehead.
Towards the middle of the decade, Chignons were becoming less and less popular, being replaced by with the hair being piled ontop of the head, mostly being compiled of fake hair, which was styled with curled and twisted. This carried on throughout the Century.

1870 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 239)

1873 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 241)

1876 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 243)

1877 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 245)

1879 (Richard Corson- Fashions in Hair, Page 245)

1880-1890

Masses of hair continued to be worn throughout the 80's, occasionally drooping low on the neck but more often concentrated on the top and the back of th head, being held in place with large pins or decorative combs. the hair was softer around the face than what it previously had been. The side hair was usually gently waved, and during the early part of the decade a fringe across the forehead was fashionable. A slightly fluffy effect was the result. Frequently the front hair was false, as well as the torsades, puffs, rolls and curls.

Towards the end of the century the Marcel wave was becoming extremely popular, and the hair styled similarly in knots, twists, rolls and plaits at the back of the head. With a few short curls added wherever seemed suitable.