Crowing about Crowning Glory

[Becky K]

Here is a hairstyle I often use for my younger sisters.




More photos on our blog http://theladysguide.blogspot.com/2011/01/early-victorian-hairstyle-for-girls.html

I also had a question, is that color ribbon appropriate. I didn't have any other on hand when we took these photos. I feel like I read somewhere, or someone told me that fuschia wasn't a color available to dye clothing or ribbon at that time (mid 19th century).

Period example of a similar hairstyle.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7564965@N03/3139774720/

I wasn't sure, is there a thread somewhere intended for children's hair? 

[Brooke Whitaker]

Thanks so much for sharing, Becky. I love that lok and I'm so glad for another style to use in my hair.

[Miss_Elisabeth]

There is a brilliant fuschia and purple dress in the back of Nancy Bradfield's Costume in Detail, from the late 1850s. It wasn't an unavailable color in the least, if the dress date is to believed, and generally Bradfield has amazingly accurate dates.

[rrbeers]

If I recall correctly, fuchsia is fine for wool or silk, but not cotton.  It was not colorfast in cotton.

[Becky K]

Ok, thank you! I'm glad to clear that up. Lol!

[Becky K]

This is the major difference between a 50's look, and a typical Civil War reenactor hairstyle. You want to release that tight pulled back look from your face, and create more width (aka) weight) at the cheekbone level.

It's a far harder hairtsyle to achieve than the tightly pulled back look, which is why so many reenactors opt for the tight look, such as you see here:
http://theladysguide.blogspot.com/2009/06/quick-and-simple-1860s-hairstyle.html

I just wanted to clarify, you don't mean that the "tight" look is wrong for the 1860's? I just wondered, that is the era that the blog post is titled "A quick and simple 1860s hairstyle". And I have seen a lot of period examples.

A couple I just scrounged up off ebay:


You can find my original source for these images by clicking through each, over on my Pinterest board:
https://pinterest.com/beccakea/victoriana-compendium/

[BarbaraSmith]

Yes, I was talking about 1850's hair vs. 1860's hair. There's a definite side weight to the 1850's hair.

Cheers,
B.

[Becky K]

Got it! Just wanted to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding

[Miss_Virginia]

I've been having trouble finding an accurate hairstyle that's actually flattering on me...or at least doesn't make me look like a sourpuss schoolmarm.  I'm an older teen and my hair is quite thick, in layers; the longest layer is about three inches past my shoulder. My ears stick out a bit, is there anything I can do short of the thick rats over the ears (which make me look about 50 years old)?  I've currently been doing the side hair twisted and pulled back over the ears but I think it looks funny on me. Any suggestions?

[Joanna Jones]

Miss Virginia - is it possible to post a picture of yourself?  We promise to be very kind.  You could even blur your face if you'd like.  That would make it possible to:
a.  suggest a style
b.  reassure you that despite how you feel in your style, you look like they did, which is tough to get used to (I have an uber-correct style I can do that I WILL NOT DO because of what I see when I look in the mirror.  I need to get past that!)


I have a feeling you look better than you think you do 

Joanna

[Miss_Virginia]

Thank you Joanna.   Here is a link to some pics:

Sorry there isn't one with my regular hair (down long).

Actually, now that I think about it, I would welcome suggestions for any type of hairstyle, I have trouble figuring out hairstyles just from looking at CDVs.

[edited to remove link]

[Jessamyn]

First of all, you look lovely. Your face is shaped just like the ladies' in period fashion plates, and you have a nice brow with attractive eyebrows, so you have no excuse to be in the I'm Hideous Without Bangs coalition.

Secondly, your ears are FINE! I've known several people who were hypersensitive about their ears. All of them looked perfectly normal, but had had sticky-outy ears when they were little kids and been teased about it, and never gotten over it. Your head usually grows into your ears as you get older - you need to see yourself with fresh eyes.

If you really feel the need to counterbalance your imaginary ear problem without actually covering them, consider adding a low chignon. These became increasingly popular throughout the Civil War years and you may find that the dark mass behind the jaw and neck reduces the "peeled" effect that pulled-back hair can produce. Look at the back/side views here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Toulmouche_Bride_Detail.jpg

I'm sure others will have other suggestions, but believe me, you're doing great!

[Miss Costello]

Aren't we our own worst enemies?

You're gorgeous and your hair looks so 'right'....old schoolmarm...tish poo and nonsense.

K

[BarbaraSmith]

Miss Virginia, many of us would KILL to get our hair to look as good as you have!

You're hair is PERFECT, and you look loverly in it. You'll get used to the look. It may take you some time. But you have good bones, and if enough of us pet you and tell you how pretty you are, you'll learn to love yourself in the mirror.

Huggers,
Auntie B

[BethT]

HUGE dittos!  I have slightly stick-outty ears myself (doesn't bother me, but I know that if I 'peel' my hair I have flying jibs ) And I didn't notice your ears sticking out at all!  If you're not happy and look for suggestions, I'd say to try getting the roll of hair to not be widest BELOW your ears, but right above them. 

I have a longer flat face, and this is how I like my hair the best, on me:







A lot like the picture that Jessamyn posted, I think.  I do have a lot of hair, but the same effect can be achieved with less, I believe, especially with a waterfall, I believe the style is called...Anyone?  Of the painting that Jessamyn posted.  It's not a bun, and it seems to require less hair to make a really fat wide projection on the back of one's head.

The thing I like to do is to make the roll above my ears, so it's puffy above and makes my ears look smaller by contrast, kind of like how the puffy skirt makes my waist look smaller in comparison.

Hope this helps!

-B

[Miss_Virginia]

Well, you ladies are certainly good for one's self esteem!  Thank you. *hugs* What you've told me has certainly helped.

I love your hair BethT! I am looking for some more interesting hair suggestions. I have a question, is it accurate for a younger lady like me to wear the large rats over the ears or is that an older lady's style? I have read conflicting opinions on this.

[Jessamyn]

This is "inspiration hair" rather than "how-to hair," but I couldn't resist sharing this great image from 1846:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VChlnV7tA7o/TBiEkyOcPpI/AAAAAAAABPg/Uw7n_-HXL5s/s1600/Maria_Weston_Chapman_BPL.jpg

Is that a comb at the base of the bun, or a fancy braid, possibly of false hair, or something else? Loooove the curls!

[Heidi Hollister]

wow... I wish I had that much hair...  But maybe, like them, I just need some hairpieces.

[BarbaraSmith]

It's fake, I tellya. It's all FAKE! 

LOL,
B.

[Donna Rowan]

Wow. Her hair must be realy thick. I 'm pretty sure I could get the back to do that but my front would Never be thick enough to get that kind of wave and curls. Is that normal braid in the back or ..whats it called? Fish tail, fish bone or something like that? Ok I looked it up.  http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/braids/herringbone.htm ...mabey it isnt. Part of the braid looks like it, part dosent. Here's the rest of the page if any bodys interested.  http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/Braiding_Tips.htm