Historian Reveals SECRET Hair Styles of Victorian Women

Discover the fascinating history of how Victorian women used their hair to express femininity in this black and white photography documentary. Explore forgotten stories of pre-raphaelite women and unlock the secrets of their hair styling techniques.
The Victorian era (1837–1901) was a time of strict social customs, elaborate fashion, and deeply ingrained beauty standards. Among these, hair was more than just a personal feature—it was a symbol of status, femininity, and social class. In this video, we uncover rare historical photos of Victorian women who never cut their hair, revealing the fascinating traditions and hidden struggles behind their long locks.
Why Did Victorian Women Grow Their Hair So Long?

In the 19th century, a woman’s hair was considered her "crowning glory." It wasn’t just a part of her appearance; it reflected her virtue, wealth, and femininity. The longer the hair, the more admired Discover the fascinating history of how Victorian women used their hair to express femininity in this black and white photography documentary. Explore forgotten stories of pre-raphaelite women and unlock the secrets of their hair styling techniques. The Victorian era (1837–1901) was a time of strict social customs, elaborate fashion, and deeply ingrained beauty standards. Among these, hair was more than just a personal feature—it was a symbol of status, femininity, and social class. In this video, we uncover rare historical photos of Victorian women who never cut their hair, revealing the fascinating traditions and hidden struggles behind their long locks. Why Did Victorian Women Grow Their Hair So Long? In the 19th century, a woman’s hair was considered her "crowning glory." It wasn’t just a part of her appearance; it reflected her virtue, wealth, and femininity. The longer the hair, the more admired she was. Victorian society placed immense pressure on women to maintain long, healthy, and neatly styled hair, often spending hours each day grooming, oiling, and arranging their locks. These rare historical photographs show women with astonishingly long hair, often reaching down to their knees or even the floor. Many of these women gained fame for their hair, becoming fashion icons of their time. But growing hair to such extreme lengths wasn’t just about beauty—it was an expectation deeply tied to Victorian ideals of modesty and refinement. The Secret Behind Victorian Hairstyles Long hair wasn’t just for show. Women styled their locks into elaborate updos, which required volume, height, and intricate shaping. But not every woman had naturally thick hair—so they found clever ways to enhance their styles. One of the most surprising secrets of Victorian hair care was the use of hair "rats." These were homemade hairpieces created from collected loose hair that women saved from their brushes. They would stuff this hair into pads and use it to add volume to their updos, creating the illusion of thicker, fuller locks. This technique, while ingenious, might sound strange by today’s standards. Why "Letting Your Hair Down" Was Scandalous Today, the phrase "letting your hair down" means to relax and be carefree, but in the Victorian era, it had a far more literal and private meaning. A woman would only let her hair down in the privacy of her home, usually in her bedroom, when she was preparing for bed. In public, respectable women never wore their hair loose. That style was associated with actresses, artists' models, or women of questionable morals. Instead, young girls wore their hair down until around age 15 or 16, when they were expected to start wearing it up as a symbol of maturity. Victorian advertisements and romantic paintings often depicted women with flowing, cascading hair, emphasizing ideals of beauty and femininity. However, for the average woman, wearing her hair this way in public would have been considered shocking. The Burden of Long Hair for Lower-Class Women For wealthy women, maintaining long hair was a matter of pride and beauty, but for poorer women, it was a burden. The lack of proper hygiene, limited access to clean water, and harsh living conditions made it difficult to care for long hair. Many working-class women simply couldn’t maintain their hair—so they sold it. Hair merchants would pay good money for long, healthy locks, which were used to make wigs and hairpieces for wealthier women. It was a desperate but necessary source of income for many. How Did Victorian Women Take Care of Their Hair? Without modern shampoos and conditioners, Victorian women had to rely on natural remedies and homemade treatments to keep their hair clean and healthy. Some common hair care practices included: Brushing with boar bristle brushes to distribute natural oils. Using castor oil, coconut oil, or rosemary-infused oils to promote shine and growth. Washing hair infrequently, sometimes only once a month, using soap or herbal rinses. Avoiding haircuts entirely, except for occasional trims to prevent split ends.

Видео Historian Reveals SECRET Hair Styles of Victorian Women канала Old Vibes