Vintage Wedding Hair

Ever since I started focusing on vintage materials for TruLu Couture, I’ve come across some interesting facts. This, coupled with the recent addition of Mad Men to Netflix streaming, has kept me in a mind-flurry of vintage everything. Something I didn’t realize is that hair dryers weren’t invented for personal home use until the early 1960’s! Could you image? I remember when I was little wearing a plastic cap that had a hose connected to it that was attached at it’s other end to  a machine that looked like a small sized vacuum cleaner. It was the hair dryer. I remember my mom piling my wet hair up into the shower-cap like head gear and I would immediately fall asleep to the warmth and white noise the contraption made.

What would we do without our flat irons, ceramic heat blow dryers and limitless supply of “product?” I shudder to think of such things. It makes sense now when you think of the date-refusal cliché of “I have to wash my hair tonight.” Seriously, without a blow dryer, that shit could take all night long to accomplish. GAH.

So if you’re planning a vintage-style wedding or if you’re wanting a retro-inspired updo, here’s some historical pics and modern versions to compare them to…

In the 1930’s, women were wearing their hair in soft finger waves, a very feminine and contrasting approach to the boyish bob of the rebellious flappers of the 1920’s.

Actress Mary Pickford circa 1930’s.

Actress Mary Brian circa 1930’s

The 1940’s saw lots of pin curls and up-do’s. The chignon made it’s debut. Western women generally wore theirs up high, adding a mountain of curls on top of the head (think Lucille Ball). East Asian women wore theirs low at the nape of the neck, as it was easier to wear hats with a smooth crown.

After the war, “Victory Rolls” were all the rage. “Victory Rolls” were originally the name for a fighter plane maneuver and women adopted the term for the rolls of hair to celebrate victory in WWII.

Actress Lynn Bari circa 1940’s

Actress/Singer Lena Horn circa 1940’s

Victory rolls, late 1940’s

1950's hairstyles emphasized traditional gender roles. Women's hair was long, curled and high maintenance. Glamour was all the rage and women attempted to achieve a look that implied “domestic goddess” with the impression that all household chores could be accomplished whilst still looking stylish. Yeah, right. Not without a big ol’ bottle of Prozac.

Actress/Princess Grace Kelly, circa 1950’s

Actress Elizabeth Taylor, circa 1950’s.

1950’s Glamour

So do you want a modern version of some of these vintage styles? OK, here you go:

Via From Me to You.

Via Hot 1940’s Hairstyles

Via From Me to You.

Via Diva by Design

Via 100 Layer Cake.

Via A to Zinnia’s.

Via The Wedding Co.

Via Tiger Lilie Salon

Via Luv in the Mommyhood.

Via Ruffled.

I actually did my hair in a little vintage style when The Candyman and I went out to celebrate my birthday Saturday night (which we did last night too – I’m a lucky girl!). I basically created my own little faux bob, following the tutorial from ……love Maegan.  I wore it with an old Free People 1950's-esque dress (though I'm boycotting them now), a wide black leather belt with cool harware detailing and platform stappy heels with similar hardware. I think it looked cool! But anyway, if you don’t already follow Maegan, you should. She kinda kicks ass and is a DIY queen. I wish I had a picture of my hair to show you! It really looked cute and was fairly easy. I just let my hair go naturally curly, unlike Maegan who hot rolled hers, I think.

Anyway, I’m loving these vintage hair looks for weddings, or for just dressing up! Thoughts? Do tell.

Comments

[Sarah]

Somehow I totally missed this post. I'm going to spend a lot of time going through all of these pictures tonight so that I can print out my favorites and take them with me to my stylist next week. Just in time!

[Michelle]

I just LOVE Maegan....she is funny and gorgeous!!