Modern brides continue to draw from classic vintage styles, blending the old with the new to create unique wedding day looks.
When it comes to bridal hairstyles, the past is rich with inspiration. Vintage wedding hairstyles have a timeless allure, evoking the elegance and glamour of bygone eras. From the intricate finger waves of the 1920s to the voluminous updos of the 1960s, these iconic looks have left an indelible mark on bridal fashion.Â
We’ll take a look through the history of vintage wedding hairstyles, exploring the trends that defined each era and the impact they continue to have on bridal fashion today. Whether you’re a bride looking for inspiration or simply a lover of all things vintage, this look back of the evolution of bridal hair is sure to captivate and delight.
1920s: The Gatsby Girl with gorgeous pin curls
Photo credits: (Clockwise) Pinterest, My Luscious Life, Mode Majeure
The Roaring Twenties was a decade defined by glamour, liberation and the iconic flapper style. Women embraced shorter haircuts, such as the bob, and adorned their locks with intricate finger waves—a style that became synonymous with the Jazz Age.  For the first time, women were drinking alongside men in the ‘speakeasies’.  They cut their hair.  They also cut and shortened their hemlines. And while they were at it, they showed a little more cleavage.
The Royals and fashion designers at the time (think Coco Chanel) played a huge role in styling Hollywood – both in fashion and in beauty. In turn, Hollywood influenced the people and the infamous flapper dress, cropped Shingle and angled Dutch Boy haircuts took over.
The 1920s art deco look continues to inspire many modern brides. While at the time, hair was short and featured tight curls and finger waves with minimal body, these signature looks are still achievable with long flowy locks and modern day hair dos.
Key features:
- The iconic finger wave hairstyle involved sculpting the hair into soft, S-shaped waves that frame the face. The look was polished, elegant and perfectly complemented the old fashion of the Roaring Twenties.
- Brides of the 1920s often accessorised their finger waves with jewelled headbands, feathered fascinators, and of course, the classic birdcage veil.
1930s: Stock market crash; pin curls and finger waves Â
They say all good things must come to an end. The fun and frivolity of the 1920s came to a halt in 1929 when the stock market crashed.
The economic situation at the time meant regular haircuts weren’t always possible so women had to think of other ways to maintain their looks. They grew out their hair to their shoulders and replaced short choppy boyish hairstyles with gentle softer waves. Pin curls from the 1920s became finger waves and they became a popular way to soften the harsh blunt bob.  This hairstyle suited more women at the time as they spent more time working out of the home.
Hollywood continued to influence fashion and makeup. Signature looks now included plucked eye brows, hair dye, hair rolls and snoods which all became fashion trends which we still draw inspiration from today.
1940s: The Victory Rolls and the Queue Curl
Photo credits: (Clockwise) Wedding Chicks, Pinterest, Pinterest
The difficult times that followed the stock market crash in 1929 was then followed by the war in the 1940s. Despite the hard times, hairstyles still played a huge role in fashion. Hair lengths now varied – women sported short bobs, shoulder length waves and even long hair with gentle curls. The key element to these hairstyles was they had to be practical. Upswept hair became a new trend as more women entered the workforce to fill jobs while the men were at war.
But where did the Victory Roll come from you might be wondering? The Victory Roll was named after a plane maneuver used in WWII. It was a patriotic symbol of victory and used to honour the soldiers who fought. It features a signature ‘V’ shape which has inspired many modern day wedding hairstyles and pin-up and rockabilly brides.
And what is the Queue Curl? It was a distinctive 1940s hairstyle which features a flat top, wavy and rolled sides and a gently curled back at the nape of the neck. A creative way to tuck in longer hair into a unique upstyle.
1950s: Marilyn curls and rolled bangs
Photo credits: (Clockwise) Bespoke Bride, Pinterest, Pinterest
The war was over, society was comparatively more prosperous and fashion and glamour took over again. Â Popular films in Hollywood and the music industry influenced mainstream fashion and men and women felt free to experiment again.
Oh, but we mustn’t forget one very important thing that changed the way women wore their hair. Can anyone guess? The invention of hair styling products such as the trusty can of hairspray. Yes, hairspray and similar products gave men and women the ability to be a little more adventurous with their hair and branch out into the world of more natural looks.
Okay, so the history lesson is now over but I hope you found this brief history on vintage hairstyles as interesting as I did. It’s fantastic to see so many modern day brides draw inspiration from these historical looks and movies such as The Great Gatsby will continue to inspire many brides around the world.
Need personalised styling advice?
Every wedding gown and bride is different and the perfect accessories for you will not only depend on your gown but your personal style, vision, height and hairstyle. We love to work with our brides to create the perfect veil that you will love to keep as an heirloom after your wedding day. Get in touch with us – we would love to hear from you!
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