Nothing quite finishes off an outfit like a great hairstyle. And when it comes to historical outfits and reenactments, like it or not, the right hairstyle is vital. Nothing, in my opinion, ruins a lovely historical gown then a scrunchie and a messy bun. I have seen it. It bothers me. You definitely do not need to create some elaborate design, but a proper bun or braid just makes such a difference!
In my experience, the length of hair really isn’t all that important, as there are many tricks and pieces to use. In fact, I have shoulder length hair and have no trouble creating a passable 1850’s look. Even those with short hair can use extensions, winglets, appropriate caps or nets etc. to help maintain authenticity. While I have limited experience with the unique Apollo knot styles of the 1830’s, the majority of the styles from the 19th century can be recreated with a bit of practice.
Several years ago, I created a few tutorials for hairstyles. They are linked below:
