Talk about the hair

In the Victorian era, a Western woman's hair was considered an important part of her appearance. On both sides of the Atlantic, it marked her status and her femininity.


A woman's hair was worn coiled and curled in a variety of elaborate hairstyles, sometimes embellished with jewels or feathers. These changed with shifting fashions, but the hair was not cut unless absolutely necessary


As in many societies, religious doctrine was a factor in the policing of Victorian women’s hair, mandating that it be covered or done up, particularly if the woman was married. Letting one’s hair down was commonly seen as brazen and immodest, even sinful.

However, photographs of women with long, loose hair would be particularly titillating