Elizabethan Society, Who Is Wearing These Hairstyles?

In the Elizabethan era look and style were very important. It was mainly the people from the higher classes who opted for the latest hair looks during this time. In the book 'Fashions In Hair The First Five Thousand Years' by Richard Corson it says how blonde and light hair was a fashionable look and describes how it was achieved. It also discusses the problems with this trend such as hair becoming weak at the root, due to the use of harsh chemicals, and breaking off. He then goes on to say how 'Working-class women were, of course, spared all this.'

Young and single women within high society usually wore their hair down and uncovered to show that they were single and pure.

Wigs and many other hair pieces were used to add length, density and shape to the hair. Accessories such as coifs and french hoods were also popular during this time period. They could be used to add a look to hair but also to cover it, as usually done by grown and married women.

Coifs

A coif is a hair covering using a close fitting cap. It could be very simple or very elaborate. According to the website 'elizabethancostume.net' it had a very important role for society as 'conferring respectability upon women, and for the more skilled and affluent people, for decoration.'

A Coif
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/headwear/coif.html

French Hood

A french hood was a piece of material fashioned into a rounded shape, it was worn over the top of a coif, and a large black veil was attached to the back. Anne Boleyn introduced it into England during the tudor period. 

Anne Boleyn In A French Hood
http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-french-hood-now-available/