Traditional Hair Styles

**Galician** · 2nd January 08, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Joel

I read that Thomas Jefferson had red hair...not sure if he ever powdered it...and for some reason, I seriously I doubt that he ever wore a kilt...

I think Ben Franklen had long hair...hmm...something to research... I also read that in several of the Commonwealth nations, they still use the powdered wigs in the courts. I believe Austrailia recently voted to quit using the wigs.

Jefferson was part of a "wave" (pardon the pun) of younger men in the late 18th c. who wanted a natural look. They didn't wear wigs (which were usually made from human hair, thanks to all the poor and convicted prisoners of the day), but did style their hair to look as if they were. Go figure.

The fashion was so successful, though, that wigs as everyday wear were gone among the fashionable by about 1800. French fashion of the day (of course!!) emphasized the common man, which, in turn, sparked an interest in both Great Britain and the USA toward styles which refected this for both clothing and hairdo's. The Revolution of 1796 also contriubted to this, as the wig was considered an aristocratic effect, thus courting a date with "Madame Guillotine."

**Bugbear** · 2nd January 08, 10:47 AM

Thank you, cajunscot, I think I might even have that Robert Graves book on my computer. I've mostly read his work from an English Major's angle, but I will look through my college archives to see whats I gots.
Also thank you for the rest of the information. I have been straining to remember paintings and depictions that I saw when I was... well I went blind at the age of twelve, so before then. I can say for sure that I have seen men with long hair in historical depictions and looking at the US money or paintings. I don't recall many flat tops and crew cuts...

Originally Posted by cajunscot

As a related aside, the old Royal Welch* Fusiliers wore "the flash" (five black ribbons) on the backs of their collars for many years which symbolised the old "powdered wig" days.

*Yes, that is the correct spelling -- see Robert Graves' Goodbye to all that for an explanation of the customs and traditions of the RWF.

Regards,

Todd

**belsen** · 2nd January 08, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

Bet you somebody's pulled off wearing a kilt and having a mohawk.

i have a mohawk lol

any 1 who has watched braveheart they have hairstyles with rat tails in (long matted or plated pit of hair tide with cloth) is there any truth thats what they had if not where did they get it from

**Bugbear** · 2nd January 08, 11:21 AM

Sadly, I have heard that mostly everything in the costooming of Braveheart is bunk, and not even good bunk. That being said, I seem to recall in looking into the topic for this thread, some of the plating and so on. I really can't go look at the pretty pictures, so I don't know.

Originally Posted by belsen

i have a mohawk lol

any 1 who has watched braveheart they have hairstyles with rat tails in (long matted or plated pit of hair tide with cloth) is there any truth thats what they had if not where did they get it from

**Moosedog** · 2nd January 08, 12:35 PM

Ted, in response to your question, there are "ponytail cuffs" out there suitable for men and women that have either an elastic band to hold your ponytail or a hook that slides under your existing elastic band. They make some pretty neat ones an inch or so wide in silver with celtic designs.

When working around tools, etc I have a short (4-inches or so) leather cuff that I use as it controls my ponytail and keeps it from falling in front of me. Most renderings I see show men with long hair; I imagine a practical 17-18C Scot would do the same thing, a bit of leather or canvas wrapped around their ponytail whilst working.

Moosedog

**Bugbear** · 2nd January 08, 01:01 PM

Thank you Moosedog. I was tieing my hair with a string, but it didn't work out too well. I was always having to re tie it. My sister gave me one of her strechy hair ties and it works a lot better.

**Moosedog** · 2nd January 08, 02:49 PM

Here's a link to one with dragons on in brass. I have a similar one; the elastic band is not strong enough to handle my hair so I use a heavier elastic then add the cuff on top. Moosedog

http://cgi.ebay.com/CELTIC-DRAGONS-B...sid=p1638.m118

**Bugbear** · 2nd January 08, 03:23 PM

Thank you very much for the link, Moosedog! Um, I have a sterling silver ring that was my grandmothers. It has kind of... maybe fake Navajo designs or something on it and is square on the face. It needs to have a stone put on the face, but I'm thinking of having that turned into a hair clasp if I have the stone mounted on it. I will go look at the link and see what they've got. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Moosedog

Here's a link to one with dragons on in brass. I have a similar one; the elastic band is not strong enough to handle my hair so I use a heavier elastic then add the cuff on top. Moosedog

http://cgi.ebay.com/CELTIC-DRAGONS-B...sid=p1638.m118

**Bugbear** · 2nd January 08, 03:31 PM

Neat! I Took a peak at what they had. I'm kind of interested in those bracelets too. I like copper bracelets. I might try mixing celtic jewlery with stuff from back home in New Mexico just to be confusing, te he.