Hairstyles were a major fashion trend in the 1800s. Men were not exempted. Even Queen Victoria embraced Hairstyles from this time period. However, wearing one’s hair down at the time was considered scandalous. For women, the hairstyles of the 1840s were basically the same as the hairstyles of the 1830s, with the addition of teased sides to add volume.
Men’s Hairstyles in the 1800s
In the 1800s, men’s hairstyles varied considerably. Usually, men wore their hair short or medium-length. Some also had long beards, sideburns, and mustaches. Facial Hair was still a feature of hairstyles, although men did not have as much freedom as they did today.
During the 1850s, men’s Hairstyles were generally parted at the part and combed back to form a high wave in the center of the forehead. After the mid-century, men wore their hair slightly longer and sideburns that reached over their ears.
During the Regency period, men’s hairstyles started to become more elaborate and masculine, and the romantic movement influenced men’s hairstyles. During the Regency era, sideburns were very popular, and Francis Russell was the leader of the short, unpowdered fashion movement. King George IV sported a short, wavy style. Natural was in, which meant less wigs and more natural Hairstyles. This trend was carried over into facial hair as well, resulting in very hairy Victorian men’s fashion.
The hairstyles of the 1800s included side parts and quiffs. The side parting style was often default in the 1800s and is still a popular one today. Several variations of the side parting look were created in the 19th century, including side-swept hairstyles and medium-length styles.
During the 1800s, men’s hairstyles were shaped by traditional societal views. These styles included side-parted haircuts, slicked-back hairstyles, and long sideburns. Quiffs are also a descendant of this period, with their hair brushed up into tufts and stood against short, trimmed sides.
While Victorian hairstyles evoke the 1800s and offer many styling possibilities, they also allow for more experimentation. Victorian hairstyles often feature a series of curls that lead down the back. Sometimes, they are accompanied by a bun tied to the top of the head.
Another classic hairstyle from the 1800s is called the pompadour. Inspired by the hairstyle of the famous French writer, Madame de Pompadour, this style had a high-volume effect. It quickly caught on and developed many variations. The most common variant is the puffed-up pompadour worn by Beau Brummell. It required great patience and skill to achieve, and men wore night caps with it to complete the look.
Curling irons were very popular in the nineteenth century. They were made of heavy tongs with concave and convex sections. The iron was heated to create waves in the hair. The invention was a huge success and enabled women to change the way they wore their hair.
Another common style was the chignon. This style tended to cover the forehead and the ears. It was usually held in a knot or chignon and adorned with combs, flowers, and even jewelled ribbons. Chignons at the nape were also popular in the 1800s. They were sometimes accompanied by pomade, a type of grease. Pomade was typically made from fat or lard. Pomade also acted as a lure for insects.
Styles worn by celebrities in the 1800s
The era of the 18th and 19th centuries had its share of fashionable outfits for both men and women. The male fashions were characterized by high cravats and conical silhouettes. The women of the era tended to wear low-cut dresses and breeches.
The era of the 18th century saw the invention of newspapers. Without them, celebrity culture would never have exploded. Newspapers exploited the fascination with famous people to attract readers. Until the 1830s, newspapers were expensive and only read by a small number of subscribers. However, as the industry became more streamlined and commercialized, the newspapers were no longer exclusive to a wealthy elite and became more affordable to the average person. Newspapers also relied on subscriptions and advertisements to fund their publication.
Styles worn by wealthy women
The social expectations of the 1800s influenced women’s style and wardrobe. Women’s liberties were limited in many ways, and proper etiquette forbade them from doing many of the things they now do. For instance, it was not deemed acceptable for a woman to ride a bicycle unless she was ill, or to wear more than one outfit per day. As a result, women’s clothes underwent a revolutionary change.
Whether you want to understand the evolution of style in the 1800s or just learn about a historical period, you can use a new book. 19th Century Fashion in Detail, published by Thames & Hudson, contains over 460 photographs and illustrations, illustrating the fashions of the era.
In the early nineteenth century, women wore light dresses with puffed sleeves and crinolines, which were made of whalebone or steel wire. By the late 1860s, Victorian women began to wear half crinolines. Later, the bustle was dropped, but the corset remained. Women believed it restricted their natural movement, and it was uncomfortable to wear.
The empire waistline was a popular shape during the 1800s. Women wore empire waists, which were about two to three inches higher than the natural waist. The back waists were also higher than the front, which gave women room to walk and move freely. The styles were generally white or pastel in color and made from free-flowing cotton.
Hairstyles were another important aspect of the Victorian period. Women wore long hair. During the 1860s, the style was more severe. They would tie it back into a bun at the back. Later, they wore their hair up high on their heads or wear a chignon. Until the late 1870s, the most popular headwear was the bonnet. The bonnet was later replaced by a dainty hat. Women also wore cosmetics.
