Dark Waves and Dignity

1914 updo with dark waves previous hairstyle next hairstyle
 
Few hairstyles speak as clearly of a specific time and place as this elaborate dark updo. This is a look that belongs to the early years of the twentieth century, specifically to the final flowering of the Edwardian era that stretched into 1914, when women were still dressing their hair in high arrangements that seemed to defy gravity.
 
The hair is a deep, glossy dark brown - almost black - and it has been dressed into a high updo with enormous volume at the crown. The silhouette is spectacular: waves of hair roll upward from the nape and sides of the head, building into a rounded dome that sits well above the natural hairline. This is exactly the kind of silhouette that defined the era.
 
The waves themselves are soft and rounded, created through careful setting and pinning rather than any kind of harsh curling. Each section of hair flows smoothly into the next, giving the overall style an elegant appeal. The hair appears to be quite thick and full, and it has clearly been carefully prepared, perhaps dampened and pinned into shape the night before, then released and styled in the morning.
 
Vintage updo that is emphasizing the neckline
 
A fan-shaped hair comb has been placed toward the back of the arrangement, where it acts as both an anchor for the style and a decorative accent. These kinds of decorative combs were an essential accessory for any well-dressed woman of the time, and the color choice here - dark and slightly unusual - suggests a woman with an individual sense of style.
 
The woman is wearing a soft, dusty-rose blouse with a high lace collar, which perfectly complements the formality of the hairstyle. The hair has been drawn away from the face, leaving the jaw and neck entirely bare and emphasizing the elegance of the long neckline.
 
In the front-facing image, the full magnificence of the updo becomes even clearer. The height and volume of the style, combined with its deep, rich color, create a striking contrast with the softer tones of the blouse. The woman's gaze is calm and steady, and the overall effect is one of quiet authority.
 
This is a hairstyle for a woman who understands that beauty and structure go hand in hand, and who has no interest in following trends for their own sake. She knows what suits her, and she wears it with conviction.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also: Vintage Hair