hairstyles

Hairstyles of the Victorian Era
All photos from the private collection of Marna Jean Davis - All rights reserved, for study purposes only.
Please do not copy.

Hairstyles in the Victorian Era were as varied as the clothes themselves, however for the most part hair was worn up.
Some evening styles, consisted of curls down in back or on the shoulders. For a short time in the 1870's some rather elaborate hairstyles, look as if the hair is unconfined, however most of these styles required extra hair pieces to accomplish. As a general rule, a female who wore her hair down was not considered a "Lady"- this was not a show of sophistication- rather a show of immaturity, only young girls wore their hair down.
Many of the wild west performers wore their hair down for shows (Annie Oakley included)
but would not have appeared in public this way otherwise.
Be wary of using the photo of the professional beauty, actress or performer as documentation for wearing your hair down-
these were performers and as such might follow a whole different set of rules than the average woman would have followed.
I have attempted to choose photos to show a range of styles in this era and arranged them according to date.

Late 1840's-1850's
parted in the center, no bangs and covering the ears.

1860's
Parted in the Center, combed over the top of the ears, and pulled up in back.
St. Louis, MO

Mid to Late 1860's parted in center, worn with a hairnet for dress occasions. Notice the hairnet is restricted to behind the ears and that the tops of the ears are now seen.

1865
(this photo has a tax stamp on it)
Young lady (probably under 20yrs old) wearing her hair in long curls. This is probably a dinner dress, it is made of a silk fabric and quite trimmed. Hair is more likely to be worn in curls for evening styles.
Cincinnati, Ohio

Early 1870's elaborate hairstyle
Hair becomes very elaborate at this time- notice there are no bangs as of yet so it is probably pre-1872
Levenworth, KS

Another pre-1875 hairstyle, probably requiring extra hairpieces to achieve. Dress is very fancy and could possibly be an evening dress. Photo taken in Levenworth, KS

Circa 1868-1873
Young lady with Modish toque and long hair pulled up at sides.
San Francisco, CA

Early 1870's hairstyle
Hair is parted center and twisted as it is pulled back to give some side fullness. Back is confined but still has some fullness.
San Francisco, CA

Late 1860's -Early 1870's
Teenage girl.

Late 1870's early 1880's
notice center part with sides "waved" back. Hair is confined in back but somewhat loosely.

1880's
Elderly lady holding on to the hairstyle of her youth-This hairstyle is rarely seen in this era.
Marysville, KS

1880's
Hair shows no center part or bangs but instead is pulled back from the forehead in a "pouf" or Pompadour.
Minneapolis, KS

1880's
Bangs or "Fringe" as it was often called started appearing in the 1870's and many ladies wore them by the 1880's. This picture shows several different popular ways.

Late 1870's-1880's
This lady still wears her hair parted in the center with no bangs. It would remain a popular style for the average woman throughout the 19th century.

1880's
A more elaborate pompadour than the first example.

1893
Salina, KS
Notice the older ladies with their hair up, and the teenager with hers worn loose.

1896
The popular "up twist" worn with a Spanish comb of the Mid 1890's

1890's
Evening Hairstyle

Some more hairstyle pages
1849 hairstyles
Harriet's then and Now-1864 hairdressing
La Coutoureire Parisan-Forgotten Fashion: The Head Special (1866-1894)

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Late 1840's-1850's parted in the center, no bangs and covering the ears.	1860's Parted in the Center, combed over the top of the ears, and pulled up in back. St. Louis, MO	Mid to Late 1860's parted in center, worn with a hairnet for dress occasions. Notice the hairnet is restricted to behind the ears and that the tops of the ears are now seen.
1865 (this photo has a tax stamp on it) Young lady (probably under 20yrs old) wearing her hair in long curls. This is probably a dinner dress, it is made of a silk fabric and quite trimmed. Hair is more likely to be worn in curls for evening styles. Cincinnati, Ohio	Early 1870's elaborate hairstyle Hair becomes very elaborate at this time- notice there are no bangs as of yet so it is probably pre-1872 Levenworth, KS	Another pre-1875 hairstyle, probably requiring extra hairpieces to achieve. Dress is very fancy and could possibly be an evening dress. Photo taken in Levenworth, KS
Circa 1868-1873 Young lady with Modish toque and long hair pulled up at sides. San Francisco, CA	Early 1870's hairstyle Hair is parted center and twisted as it is pulled back to give some side fullness. Back is confined but still has some fullness. San Francisco, CA	Late 1860's -Early 1870's Teenage girl.
Late 1870's early 1880's notice center part with sides "waved" back. Hair is confined in back but somewhat loosely.	1880's Elderly lady holding on to the hairstyle of her youth-This hairstyle is rarely seen in this era. Marysville, KS	1880's Hair shows no center part or bangs but instead is pulled back from the forehead in a "pouf" or Pompadour. Minneapolis, KS
1880's Bangs or "Fringe" as it was often called started appearing in the 1870's and many ladies wore them by the 1880's. This picture shows several different popular ways.	Late 1870's-1880's This lady still wears her hair parted in the center with no bangs. It would remain a popular style for the average woman throughout the 19th century.	1880's A more elaborate pompadour than the first example.
1893 Salina, KS Notice the older ladies with their hair up, and the teenager with hers worn loose.	1896 The popular "up twist" worn with a Spanish comb of the Mid 1890's	1890's Evening Hairstyle