Victorian Hairstyles

Hair in the Victorian era was quite demure. It was often pulled back off of the face and placed in a chignon, bun, plaits, or even curls. Long, gentle curls were used to accent the face at the sides or even in the back. Smaller baby curls sometimes accented the forehead as well. It wasn’t uncommon for women to slick back or oil their hair to assure a smooth style.

Even men took on a more modest stance, wearing their hair far shorter than any period prior. Curls were acceptable even in men’s hairstyles as was the use of oil to smooth out a difficult coif. In contrast, however, Victorian men often sported a mustache or beard and sometimes allowed their sideburns to grow.

However, there was a significant difference within the Victorian era between the early and late victorian eras. The dates below may help you understand the timeline of pictures below:

Early Victorian ~ 1837 through 1839
1840's ~ 1840-1849

1850's ~ 1850-1859

Civil War ~ 1860-1865
Early Bustle ~ 1866-1875

Natural Form Bustle ~ 1876-1883

Late Bustle ~ 1884-1889
Gay 90's ~ 1890-1900
Edwardian~ 1901-1919

Early Victorian hairstyles (1830's to 1860's)

Pre-Civil War hairstyles included sausage curls framing the face...
popular during the early Victorian years.

Prior to the Civil War it was fashionable
to part the hair in the middle and pull it backor twist the sides to cover the ears.

Late Victorian Hairstyles (1860's - 1890's)

Hairstyles in the Civil War period typically
had a part in the middle and the hair pulled
back into a bun, braids or curls.

Often ladies included the use of a snood.

Toward the end of the Civil War period
the hairstyles became larger and the
use of additional hair fillers (aka rats)
and multiple hair pieces became popular.