by Denise Weimer
As a
researcher of mainly 1800s fashion – whose Colonial writing so far has focused
on the frontier – I confess to harboring a curiosity of ignorance on the
subject of 1700s high court fashions. Chiefly, the opulent ladies’ hairdos.
Anyone else willing to admit the same? Let’s explore this quirky topic
together, and for those experts among us, please feel free to add interesting
tid-bits in the comments section. This post will focus on maintenance and basic
style, while my April post will delve more into decoration.
My
initial survey on big hair of the 1770s uncovered some pertinent basic
information. As expected, fashion tended to flow from France to England. Simpler
1750s fashions like tête de mouton (“sheep’s head”) with
tight curls in rows on top gave way to more egg-shaped creations in the 1760s.
By the next decade, a much taller, pyramid shape prevailed. The opulence of
style served to balance the wide paniers of the skirts. While men of the 1700s
often wore full wigs, women employed partial wigs or false hair heaped on
padding or toques constructed of
fabric or cork. These forms might be shaped like a heart or spear.
Maintenance
of the tresses included irregular washing with just water or soap. The drying
effects of the soap sometimes required pomade for shine. Mostly, pomatum (animal
fat plus fragrances – one recipe called for mutton fat, pig lard, essence of
lemon and clove oil) was worked in, then power was added. A wealthy person
might use finely ground starch of beef or sheep bones plus orris root for scent
(The Toilet of Flora, 1772), while a
poor person might make do with corn or wheat flour. Professional powder
application included the use of a bellows and face mask and smock.
While
stories of careless hussies sleeping in their ‘dos using large pins and night
caps for days on end gave rise to rumors of mice and vermin invaders, a
conscientious lady probably did her hair daily. With a good ladies’ maid or coiffeur, this process should have taken
no more time than a modern application of blow dryer or curling iron.
Some
online sources consulted: Démodé: Historical Costume Projects
& Research Sources, Specializing in the 18th Century, “Women’s
Hairstyles & Cosmetics of the 18th Century: France &
England, 1750-1790. Two Nerdy History Girls Blog, “The Truth about the Big Hair
of the 1770s,” August 18, 2015. On Pins and Needles Blog, “Le Pouf: Fashion and
Social Satire in the 1770s-1780s,” by Landis Lee, February 1, 2012.
How interesting DENISE. I cannot imagine trying to walk around wearing one of those on my head. Seems like it would be top-heavy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
Cork as a base makes sense. Nice and light. But the whole idea still makes my head ache. While daily baths and shampooing is now common yet unnecessary, the idea of animal fat and flour... and all that face powder...ugh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your research. Those opulent styles are fascinating!
I definitely enjoyed learning more. Imagine trying to DANCE wearing all that good stuff on your head!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just can't imagine having to wear all that heavy hair. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere have been some pretty bizarre fashions over the centuries, but this one takes the cake (flour).
ReplyDeleteI keep visualizing walking through a doorway, which were not high in those days, and knocking one’s hair off.
Apparently carriages became a problem, too.
ReplyDelete