Hair & Self-Expression: A Brief Look at a History of Style

Historically, hair has always been used as a creative outlet for people. People have used it to express themselves, as a status symbol, to communicate belief systems and demonstrate a belonging to certain subcultures. This tradition continues today with even more possibilities; people have always spent money on their hair because it is directly tied to their sense of self which is why hair loss can be so devastating.

Ancient Egypt & Ancient Greece

The ancient Egyptians spent a lot of time and energy on their hair. Women wore their hair in elaborate styles adorned with flowers and ribbons, and because long hair was the desired look, some women even wore wigs. The men in ancient Egypt tended to be more reserved, wearing their hair short or even shaved. Children also had short hair except for one braid on the side of the head that was grown until puberty, after which time the children adopted the traditional style for their gender. Hair loss has always been an issue, also known as alopecia today. The ancient Egyptians created several home remedies that are still used today.

The ancient Greeks placed a lot of importance upon the hair because it was viewed as a life source, and as such, it was used for sacrificial purposes. The women wore long hair and decorated it similarly to the Egyptians. They even made efforts to curl, straighten and dye their hair using rudimentary dyes created from henna and ashes. The men’s styles varied from shoulder-length locks to braids to shorter styles too.

The Renaissance

During the Middle Ages, the use of wigs dropped dramatically because their use was discouraged and condemned by religious leaders as a display of vanity. However, during the renaissance, they made a huge comeback thanks to monarchs like Queen Elizabeth or King Louis XIII, who were huge fans and users of wigs. The resurgence of wigs was in large part due to the popularity of long hair and ornate hairstyles that often features braids and curls.

The 18th & 19th Century

Wigs remained steady in their popularity throughout the eighteenth century, and they became a status symbol of sorts to show the haves vs the have-nots. The wigs became more and more outrageous; they began to grow; some of them were a couple of feet tall, and they featured ornate designs and decorative elements too.

In the nineteenth century, hairstyles went through several progressions. The Victorian era saw a huge surge in facial hair for men; beards and moustaches were commonplace, and hair was kept somewhat long. During the early nineteenth century, razors became more popular and as such facial hair died off somewhat. Around this time, women tended to feature their natural hair, as opposed to wigs, styled in chic chignons and pompadours.

The Last 100 Years

The last hundred years have seen more evolutions in hairstyles than ever before. Almost every decade can be categorized by a unique hairstyle, from the 1920s bob to victory rolls in the 40s to long 70s styles and 90s grunge. Today there are so many tools at your fingertips to transform your look and express yourself.

Hair has always mattered to people, which is why losing your hair can be so devastating for a lot of people. Your hair forms an important part of your style. Think about it; what does your hair say about you?