Vintage Hairstyles 1914
Little Curls
Here we see a cascade of little curls framing the face on both sides, and also covering the ears as was customary in this era. Extra hair-pieces were most likely fitted on the sides of her head to create the exaggerated thickness framing the face.
The curls are styled in a downward direction, spanning from the fringe area down to covering the earlobes. A jewelled hair-band is used as support for the extra hairpieces and to be aesthetically pleasing.
A hair-hat was used to create extra thickness in the occipital bone area. Note the hair is constructed around the hair-band.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, November 1913
Waves and a Feather
Here we see a side parting of the fringe, styled in more relaxed Marcel tong created waves that frame the face. The waves span from the off centre base in a downwards direction, covering the ears. Note the incorporation of the waves from the back of the head to connect with the frontal waves, to create a seemingly fluid wave-pattern. Hair-pieces were most likely used to create some of the waves, adding thickness to the style.
A jewel-and-feather hair-accessory was used to create extra height, in order to complete the equilibrium of the exaggerated width of the style. A hair-hat was most likely also used to create the height on the occipital bone area.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, November 1913
World War One Hairstyle
World War One was sparked by the brutal assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. From here on you'll note that fashion and, inevitable hairstyles became less extravagant and more practical.
Here we see a fringe hair-piece attached to the centre of her fringe area. The hair is styled in Marcel-tong created waves, which spread outwards from the original base-point on the centre fringe area.
The waves frame her face, still covering the ears, and connect at the back to form height at the occipital area and thickness in the nape area. Note how the neckline is left bare to accentuate the jaw- and neck silhouette.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, June 1914
Cone Shaped Hairstyle
Here we have a slightly asymmetrical cone shaped hairstyle with exaggerated height, with a base line spanning from the nape area, over the occipital bone and constructed in a pile-up fashion up and over the parietal bone area.
Multiple hair-pieces and a hair-hat were used to construct this hairstyle. A hair-piece was attached in the fringe-area to create the perfect faux-fringe, swept to the back, incorporated into the cone area of the hairstyle.
The hair is styled in Marcel-tong created waves, covering the ears while framing the face to soften the look. Note the jewelled hair-accessory used to stabilize the hair-hat and act as aesthetical adornment.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, June 1914
Start of WW1 Hairstyle
Here is another good example of hairdressing turning down the glitz and glam in the face of the start of World War I in June 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife while on a visit in Bosnia.
Note the toned down height and width. The style is still elaborate and feminine, but much less extravagant. Marcel tong created waves are styled in different directions, incorporated to flow into one another and pulled together at the back in a fashion resembling the French roll.
Note the beautiful oval-shape from the side, with only the tips of the ear-lobes showing.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, July 1914
World War 1 Look
Note the sombre mood created in this picture. This is right about when the World War 1 started, sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The hair is styled in relaxed Marcel tong created waves, with an off centre parting at the fringe, loose waves gently cascading down the sides of the face.
Note that the ears are showing in this picture. This was uncommon before the World War 1 era.
The front waves are incorporated seamlessly with the back of the hairstyle, probably created with hair-pieces supported by hair-accessories. Note that the style is based on the natural shape and proportion of the head.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, July 1914
World War One Hair
In August 1914, the stark reality of World War I started to dawn upon the people. More than five countries declared war in this period, and many lives were lost even in the very beginning.
Fashion and inevitably, hairstyles started to reflect a more solemn and toned down sense of emotion. Note the absence of elaborate feathers or headdresses in this era. The line of this style's silhouette is clear and unfussy.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, August 1914
World War I Era Hairstyle
On the 5th of September 1914, the First Battle of the Marne of World War I begins. Trench warfare commence as soldiers on both sides dig in. Women lose their husbands and sons, and children lose their fathers and brothers in the many battles.
The people begin to realize the immense peril that the future holds, and this is reflected by the picture, fashion and hairstyles of this era. Gone are the ostentatious feather-and-jewel hair accessories. Note the toned-down and natural silhouette of this hairstyle.
The ears are covered, with Marcel-waves styled to frame the face, incorporated to seam into the back waves, connected to form a beautiful pile-up in the occipital-bone area.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, September 1914
Marcel Waves
Note the toned-down look of this hairstyle. With World War I starting to rage among several countries, the extravagant feathers and horizontal width hairstyles disappear.
Here we see an off centre parting in the fringe area, with Marcel waves styled in a V-Shape, originating in the base-area of the parted fringe. The waves flow in opposite directions to create a wavy frame around the face, flowing over the ears and incorporated into the back area of the hairstyle.
A Hair-hat was used for exaggerated height in the occipital bone area, while the hair-hat is disguised by seamlessly incorporating the lady's own hair and making use of several hairpieces.
Illustration Source: Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, September 1914
Hair Swept Backwards
Here we see the hair swept backwards, away from the face, held in place by a hairband. The hair is styled in a combination of Marcel-waves and curls, with the base of the hair being the Marcel-waves and the tips ending in curls.
Note that the ears are once again covered and the silhouette line of the style follows the natural shape of her head, even though parietal bone and occipital area is exaggerated in height.
A hair-hat and several hair-pieces is most probably used to construct this hairstyle, with the hairband acting as extra support for the structure of the hair-hat.
Illustration Source: Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, August 1914
1914 War Look
By October 1914 the First Battle of Ypres began, consequently ending the Race to the Sea during World War I. By this time, war had ravaged a lot of lives, and the horror began to dawn upon the people. The echoes of the people's fear can be clearly seen in the changes of fashion and hairstyles.
Here we see no bright feathers or flashy jewellery in her hair. Plain Marcel-tong waves, styled in a side part at the fringe area, framing the face and following the natural curve of her head. Note the solemn and grave emotion in this picture.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, October 1914
Pile-Up Hairstyle
Even though the immensity and threat of the World War I was dawning on the people, and the graveness of it reflected in clothing and hairstyles, there was a whole movement of women who believed that it was their duty to keep dressing beautifully and flamboyantly to keep the spirits of their men up, even in the face of the horrors of war.
Here we see a lady with an exaggerated pile-up hairstyle, created with Marcel-tong waves, extra hair-pieces, a hair-hat and jewelled hair accessories. She has a short fringe and waves framing her face, while the front and back waves integrate seamlessly.
Illustration Source: Hairdressers' Weekly Journal, October 1914
