Late Victorian Hairstyles

Compared to the early years of the nineteenth century the late Victorian hair was much more looser and had more height than the early victorian hair. As the early victorian hairstyles were sleek and tied up, in the later years the hair was seen having more volume and looser curls. The typical late victorian hair was described as having it down in loose curls or forming a hair up do from loose volumed curls on top of the head. The hair from the sides of the head, around the temple area had to be flat and scraped backwards. The hair in the middle had the height and volume and this was the look of the later time. Although, the middle parting was very much still kept till this time and was seen through out the century. Adornments started being used during the 1870's and 1880's. These were in the form of wreaths and garlands of flowers. However even though these were introduced in the later century the basic style of the late victorian hair was still kept.

This is an image showing how the hair was styled in the late nineteenth century. The hair still has the middle parting however the hair has much more volume than the sleek early victorian hair. The hair has been scrapped back from the sides of the head as this gives the middle more height. From the middle parting the hair has been tied backwards keeping the height and the volume in the middle.

With this the centre parting is still clearly visible.The hair now has looser curls hanging down at the back rather than the bun that was worn in the early century. This was the time for big hair yet still keeping all the early victorian hair characteristics. As fashion changed along the hair this reflected in the hair as well as the change was seen coming along. However, some women adapted the late victorian style at the front of the year but still wore the hair at the back in a bun.


As the years went by Men also adapted the changes and their hairstyles also developed into the late victorian hairstyles. Towards the end of the century the long side burns began to disappear as that was a very early style. It was quite the opposite with men's hair compared to the women. As women's hair became more loose and big, men's hair became more sleek and tidy. Some men also got rid of the moustache as it appeared to look more of a middle class look keeping the sideburns to a minimal and not too bushy.  Below are some images of how hair was worn in the late victorian era.

Ref:
Sherrow, V. 2006. Encyclopedia of Hair. A Cultural History. Greenwood London

Bryer R, 2000. The History of Hair: Fashion and Fantasy Down The Ages. Philip Wilson, London

Blaney S, Getty Images. Vintage Photo of Victorian Family Circa [viewed on 28th February 2016] Available from: http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/vintage-photo-of-victorian-family-circa-high-res-stock-photography/139839974