Elizabethan Society

'The Elizabethan period saw a dramatic change in culture as England transitioned from the fiercely religious Middle Ages and into a more secular society that embraced science, politics, and art. The veils of the Medieval period signifying religious modesty were cast aside for the first time in England as young married women went about with their hair uncovered

Hairstyles of the Elizabethan era were characterized by high, frizzed hair and often placed over wires or pads to create a heart-shaped frame around the head.  These hairstyles were made easier when the first metal hairpins were invented in England in 1545.  The ideal hair was considered to be fair or red in colour and preferably naturally curly as inspired by the Queen herself.  Women would supplement their own hair with natural hairpieces sometimes rumored to have come from horses or even children’s hair.  Wigs became fashionable in the last quarter of the century, being first introduced to England around 1572.'

Elizabethan England Life (no date b). Elizabethan England Life. Available at: http://www.elizabethanenglandlife.com/a-trip-down-elizabethan-england-history-lane.html (Accessed: 4 December 2014).

In the Elizabethan era, it was considered any female should have their hair covered in some way or another as a way of hiding themselves. Therefore, hair coverings was a very important factor for women in this particular era. It would have seemed odd for any girl or lady to leave their home without their hair covered.

This became a huge part of fashion for female's in this era. Dependant on the type of hair coverings the women would wear, would determine their class in some way. For example, ladies of the upper class would be seen to be wearing expensive wigs, or even their own servants would arrange their hair with curls of some sort.


Elizabethan England Life (no date). Elizabethan England Life. Available at: http://www.elizabethanenglandlife.com/elizabethan-hats-for-women.html (Accessed: 4 December 2014).