A woman’s hair was considered an essential part of her appearance in the Victorian era, defining her status and femininity. This was done in part so that elaborate updo could be treated using the thick hair that grew rather than using rats, pads, or the Victorian versions of hair extensions. To add volume to a hairstyle, many women would use rats made from their hair, even if they had very long hair.
In Victorian times, letting her hair down was not just an idiom; it was an act that was only performed in the bedroom when a woman took out her hairpins and brushed her long hair. She could only be seen that way by her husband (or her maid). Still, the romantic notion of flowing tresses implying femininity was shown in paintings and advertising – beautiful women with impossible amounts of hair.
Usually, the women with long, cascading hair portrayed intimacy and romance as models and actresses. Women’s hair was the focal point of sexual interest in Victorian society, the primary expression of their femininity among the middle and upper classes.
The neatness of Victorian hair was one of the essential aspects. No matter the style, it had to be clean and shiny. It was challenging for the poorer classes to maintain long tresses amid the disease and poor hygiene. Women often sold their hair for cash. During this period, hairstyles focused on the overall silhouette of the human body. Victorian hairstyles were designed to make the body appear balanced.
