Victorian era hairstyles offer a fascinating window into the fashion, social norms, and daily lives of women between 1837 and 1901.
From elegant buns and intricate chignons to carefully arranged curls and braids, these styles evolved alongside changes in society, technology, and personal expression.
Exploring these trends reveals not only how women styled their hair but also the values and expectations that shaped their appearance.
Table of Contents
1. General Features of Victorian Era Hairstyles
- Long hair was very typical for women. It was seen as a marker of femininity and respectability.
- The hair was often parted in the middle and drawn into buns, chignons, coils or rolls—especially for daily wear.
- Many women used hair‑pieces, padding, false plaits or “rats” (hair‑tufts) to add volume or length when their natural hair didn’t suffice.
- Accessories like combs, ribbons, hairnets (snoods) or decorative hats were common, especially for formal occasions.
- Hair appearance was meant to look smooth, glossy and well‑groomed. The society placed value on neatness and order in hair styling.
2. Changes by Decade
Here’s how the style evolved across several decades:
- 1840s: Middle part, neat hair tied back, sometimes with ringlets at the sides. The hair was generally modest and symmetrical.
- 1850s‑1860s: As skirt styles grew larger (hoop skirts, fuller silhouettes), hair styles became slightly more elaborate to match. Side “wings” or rolls appeared.
- 1870s‑1880s: With the bustle and more pronounced dress back‑shapes, hair coifs rose higher at the back. The “pompadour” style and high volume became fashionable in the later part of the era.
- Late 1800s (1890‑1900s): Hair remained piled up, with curls, waves, and increased accessories. The look was grander.
3. Social Meaning and Class Differences
- Hairstyles served as a status indicator. Women from wealthier households had access to more elaborate styles, hair‑pieces, and the help of attendants.
- Women of moderate means often kept things practical: simple chignons, pinned plaits, hair nets or snoods for containment and neatness.
- There were also moral or cultural expectations: For example, letting hair down in public might be considered immodest for a married woman.
4. Techniques and Challenges
- Because hair was often piled and shaped, women used padding, internal frames, false hair or collected hair from brushes (“rats”) to give required volume or height.
- Styling often required more time than modern daily hair routines. Because of the elaborate shapes and aids, it could require assistance.
- The hair health expectation (smooth, glossy hair) meant that hair care routines were important. And although heat/styling tools were not as advanced as today, curling in rags and using oils was practiced.
5. What We Can Draw From Victorian Hair Styles if Styling Today
If you wanted to take inspiration from Victorian era hairstyles, here are a few ideas without simply copying them directly:
- Emphasize a middle part for an authentic base.
- Use soft curls at the sides of the face, especially in earlier mid‑Victorian looks.
- Try pinning hair up into a low bun or chignon with some side rolls or volume.
- Accessorize with a decorative comb, ribbon or subtle net‑hair covering for that nod to history.
- For more dramatic styling, add padding or a hair‑piece to enhance volume at the back or crown (but in modern context, use lightweight fake hair or padding designed for comfort).
- Keep the finish neat and smooth rather than messy — Victorian styles generally emphasised control and polish.
Victorian Era Haircuts
During the era of Queen Victoria, women’s hair was more about length, volume and carefully arranged styles than the kind of regular “haircuts” we think of today. Long hair was seen as a symbol of femininity, and rather than frequently trimming it or chopping it short, women typically kept it long and used styling, padding and accessories to shape how it looked.
Photo credits: Louise Ebel Pandora