Hair

Styles

Women of this period wanted their faces to look full and round so hair was styled flat on top with any fullness at the sides and back. Whether confined in rolls, braids or curls, the ends of the individual hairs were generally hidden from view. Makeup, when worn, emphasised fullness in the cheeks.

The singular most popular style was to part the hair in the centre and arrange it so the widest part of the styles was at the ears with the remainder extending down the back of the head to about the hairline. Younger women tended to have their hair confined at the nape of the neck.

Ringlets were worn by women in both the 15-25 and 26-40 age groups but not by older women during the period.

Short hair cuts were worn by younger women. In both cases the hair was parted at the centre and pulled away from the forehead.

Bangs (fringes) were not worn by women during this period. This became fashionable after the Civil War.

Next: References

[Article by Cassandra]