Hair in Society
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Hair in Society
Hair styles has always been something has as much effect on people as fashion does. Hair trends are arguably as important and popular as fashion itself. Just like anything, money depicts how well you can keep up with the trends. This was no different for Elizabethan times.
Like many things, Elizabeth I was looked to for fashion trends. These would be filtered down through her court attendees and this would be noted and followed by fellow aristocrats. Elizabeth had natural red hair. It has been said that people would use the herb saffron to dye their own hair. People would also use this if they had naturally red hair, it would be used to brighten the natural red tones in their hair. Saffron is still one of the most expensive herbs in the world. It is still used in cooking today and one of it's most notable features is the colour that it brings to the dish.
Like many things, Elizabeth I was looked to for fashion trends. These would be filtered down through her court attendees and this would be noted and followed by fellow aristocrats. Elizabeth had natural red hair. It has been said that people would use the herb saffron to dye their own hair. People would also use this if they had naturally red hair, it would be used to brighten the natural red tones in their hair. Saffron is still one of the most expensive herbs in the world. It is still used in cooking today and one of it's most notable features is the colour that it brings to the dish.
Long hair was considered a thing of beauty, unlike today it was popular to have a center parting and have no bangs. It's funny because now this is sometimes referred to as a 'curtains' hairstyle which as a teenage girl I can remember dreading having this. It's interesting how what we think is beauty changes over the years.
Elizabeth's frizzed hair swept the court by storm and many of her attendees tried to get this look. If they weren't lucky to be born with curly hair it was acceptable for ladies with long straight hair to wear their hair down with one of the following head coverings which have been listed by Alchin (2012):
"Head Coverings for Women
The Elizabethan fashion dictated that the head was adorned with a hat, veil, coif or caul. This fashion therefore ensured that much of the hair was hidden by some form of head coverings. The style of the head covering dictated the hairstyle. Many of the hats were adorned with feathers, pearls, glass jewels, spangles, gold thread, embroidery and lace.
The Elizabethan fashion dictated that the head was adorned with a hat, veil, coif or caul. This fashion therefore ensured that much of the hair was hidden by some form of head coverings. The style of the head covering dictated the hairstyle. Many of the hats were adorned with feathers, pearls, glass jewels, spangles, gold thread, embroidery and lace.
- The Coif - The coif ( commonly referred to as the 'biggin' ) worn by all children. Material was plain white linen, a close fitting cap tied under the chin. Coifs were often worn as caps to keep hair in place under more elaborate hats
- The French hood - Introduced from the French court by Anne Boleyn, the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. A half moon, or crescent, style band or brim sloping away from the face. The edges were often adorned with pearls or glass jewels, called bilaments, and a veil covered the back of the hair
- The Atifet - Similar to the French hood style but with a heart shaped crescent - favoured in white by Mary Queen of Scots. Lace trimmnigs were added
- The Caul - Cauls were the Elizabethan hair net. A Caul covered the hair at the back of the head and was made of fabric, or fabric covered by netted cord which was sometimes adorned with spangles.
- The Pillbox style of hat - often had a veil attached to the back"
Bibliography:Alchin, L. (2012) Elizabethan Hair Styles. Available at: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-hair-styles.htm (Accessed: 25 October 2015).
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