The Elizabethans.

The Elizabethan era.

The Elizabethan era is a important time in British history. It is the time that Queen Elizabeth I reigned (1558-1603). It shows the influence that Britain had internationally; it was a very political time when there was constant debates about religion (i.e protestant,catholic). It was a time when the people could express themselves through literature, music,art, fashion and hair and makeup. It also has made its mark on history as Queen Elizabeth and her army defeated The Spanish Armada.

Elizabeth's influence on hair.

Link:Framptonwiki541a.wikispaces.com

Viewed:15.10.13

I have noticed that during Elizabeth's reign her hair style changed during her rise to power.

When Elizabeth was young her hair was a light ginger, she often had her hair down and wavy. The texture was soft,flat she also wore plaits. From what I have seen in portraits  She then wore her hair in an half up and half of her down sort of style with curls in her hair. After the Spanish Armada Elizabeth's hair grew with her power it became a strong copper red and was worn high and big using various hair pieces, and hair wiring to achieve this look.  She also adorned her hair in pearls, and jewels this showed her social class, and wealth. 

."Normally women covered their hair after marriage and wore it long and flowing before"(Fashions in hair Richard Corson 139).I found this intriguing as to me it implies that although Elizabeth was not married could this mean she was with another? Or could this be symbolising her relationship with Britain? I believe it symbolises her relationship with Britain as it was said that Elizabeth was married to the country and was known as `The Virgin Queen`.

Her people looked up to Elizabeth as an idol. Therefore what ever image she portrayed other women wanted to imitate.  Much like western cultures society today. Women would try to dye their hair using materials such as Saffron, cumin seed and in some cases urine! Why? Because Elizabeth was seen as the ideal beauty. With a dreamy pale complexion rosy cheeks, and lips, with a contrast of big red curly hair. Her look signified innocence,power, wealth, and of course a virginal image.

Elizabethan Hair Styles.

Long Loose Hair.

A lot of Elizabethan women or girls would wear their hair long and loose allowing the hair to flow down their backs. Brides also did this and adorned the hair with flowers. It often implied that they were virginal."Normally women covered their hair after marriage and wore it long and flowing before"(Fashions in hair Richard Corson 139). This to me also states that it was a sign they were single and virgins. The waves were created with heated irons. The hair was also worn down straight "The hair was usually parted at the center and worn straight or slightly waved" (Fashions in hair Richard Corson)

Now it is still very much in fashion to wear your hair wavy and loosely as it gives off a grungy look that is a sub culture in today's fashion. It can give the impression that you not don't care but think less about your appearance than perhaps others to me. As I usually wear my hair like this as it is naturally wavy.

Early Elizabethan Hairstyle.

A popular hairstyle that was often worn with the hair at the front of the head parted down the middle, leaving the hair towards the back in one section.The back of the hair was often braided and then put into a bun to shelter head coverings like the coif ,french hood, the caul and the pillbox.

Wire framed hair.

Many women of the Aristocracy and Bourgeois would wear their hair this way as it required difficulty and it was a law that only the rich were allowed to be fashionable and look pretty. They would smooth their hair into a heart shaped wire (paltsodoe). Any loose hairs were curled along the hair line completed the look."They were not the styles of common people"(Fashions in Hair Richard Corson 140)

The pad hairstyle.

At the end the period, padded coifs became very trendy. This style parts the hair from the top of one ear, over the top of the head and down to the top of the other ear. The back section is once again fashioned into a plaited bun that lies flat against the back of the head. The front section of hair is divided int a middle parting. A pad of hair called a rat (because it is shaped like a rat) is placed on top of the end of the brushed hair on one side . with the smaller end of the rat head piece facing towards the middle of the forehead, the hair and rat are rolled up to the scalp. The end of the hair is rolled and tucked over.