Victorian Bridal Hair & Developing My Ideas

The expression, "a woman’s crowning glory" had its origins dating back to the Victorian Period.  But ironically, women's hair during this era of romance and feminine mystery was often severely damaged from the relentless use of hot irons.  Hair became scorched and often had an unpleasant odour that had to be masked with heavy perfumes.  It was not uncommon to have ones hair reduced to a wool-like texture.  Hair was never cut except in cases of serious illness.  The simplicity of the smooth, centre-parted styles worn by women in the Victorian era lasted until the 1870s, when the Parisian hairdresser M. Marcel Grateau created a new, natural-looking wave by turning a curling iron upside down.

During the Victorian Period, the hair receiver was commonly found on a woman’s vanity.  After brushing her hair, she would remove the hair from the brush and  place it through the opening of the receiver for storage. Once enough hair had accumulated, it could be used to construct rats, or could be woven or plaited and put into lockets, left visible through cut-glass windows of a brooch or even made into watch chains, bracelets or jewellry.  Hair receivers were usually made from ceramic, bronze or crystal. 

Victorian hairwork is a popular collectible today.  Bracelets, watch chains, necklaces, rings, and even ear rings were carefully crafted from human hair.  A few museums where hairwork is displayed
are the Dearborn Historical Society in Dearborn , Michigan and the  Swedish Institute, Minneapolis,  Minnesota.

A 7inch bracelet woven with human hair

Romantic Victorian Hairstyles

To me, I see the majority of Victorian hairstyles to be quite romantic and almost fairy tale-like; I think the reason for this is because of the use of curls in the majority of hairstyles that I have seen, and the fact the the Victorians had such long hair (which reminds me of Rapunzel). 

http://img.whitezine.com/Brian-Cummings-Fairy-Tales-Rapunzel

Therefore, I think that I could chose a style from the early or late Victorian era, and it would still suit and be appropriate for a bride (Miss Havisham on her wedding day).

I also have found that a lot of the hairstyles from the Victorian period incorporate flowers and leaves (explained in a previous post), and this, again, adds a romantic feel, and thus would fit my idea of Miss Havisham being a bride.

Finally, I also want to incorporate the use of a veil into my idea, just to emphasise the fact that she is a bride and make it quite traditional. 

Website references:

http://www.hairarchives.com/private/victorian1new.htm