Elizabethan Hair

Assessment Task:

The 'Redheads and Royalty' brief focuses upon collating historical research and technical observations of the hairstyles used in the Elizabethan era. You may begin by considering the hairstyles you have identified in paintings from the Elizabethan era, but also consider that the various hairstyles and hair colours used by Elizabethan women with references to their age, class and status.

Queen Elizabeth 1580

You are required to practice a variety of historically accurate Elizabethan hairstyles in class, you are also going to create a more contemporary version using clear references to a style of Elizabethan hair you are inspired by. Develop the project by referencing contemporary versions of Elizabethan hairstyles - do this by looking through newspapers, magazines and websites. Gather visual evidence that references Elizabethan hair and begin to consider how you may adapt it to a contemporary style.


There are quite a few things that went into elizabethan hair like jewels, pearls, gems, ribbons and feathers. Below I have listed other accessories that Elizabethan woman also wore in their hair.


Caul - its a snood or a hairnet that you can add attachments to it.














French Hood - quite like a headband.

Attifet - made out of lace. It's similar to the french hood but it has a heart shaped drop.

Pillbox Hat - small hat on back of the head, it's highly decorated.














Coif - poorer woman wore this as its quite plain and simple.















Images from: http://trystancraft.com/costume/2011/07/15/elizabethan-hairstyles-1560-1600/
http://www.lynnmcmasters.com/cord.html
https://www.etsy.com/listing/159948389/renaissance-headpiece-tudor-headpiece
http://www.fynehats.com/blackattifets.htm
http://www.verymerryseamstress.com/hats.htm\http://www.thistlebees.com/images2/hats-basic/bas_hat_coif_adj_side.jpg