18th Century Hairstyles

Ever wonder how 18th century hairstyles for women were so big? Women’s hair was made larger through the addition of servant’s hair and even pet hair. 18th century hairstyles saw the first stage of bombastic hair known as the fontange style, named after a French noblewoman who started the trend. After a brief period of more natural and hair being closer to the scalp, it was the mid century when women truly magnified the volume in their hair with such figures as Madame Pompadour and Marie Antoinette being the main trend setters. All sorts of adornments were added to the hair including lace, ribbons and even decorative stuffed birds.

Men mostly stuck to powdered wigs while the women added volume and all sorts of decorative objects to adorn their heads. Large hats accompanied large volumes of hair with wider brimmed hats and more elaboration with lace, ribbons and plumed ostrich feathers for a more dramatic effect. Before the French Revolution, women would sport miniature guillotines in their hair when crowd festivities would gather around an impending execution. 18th century hair styles for women are another part of the highly grandiose fashion of the period. It was all about getting attention and celebrating the pomp and wealth the nobility were surrounded in. This grand display of fashion would eventually be their undoing in the form of the French Revolution and afterwards such fashions faded out of style.