Elizabethan Hair in Films

Media representation of Elizabeth's hair gives the viewers an idea as to just how elaborate the hairstyles were in those days. Films and TV shows aim to be as accurate as possible, and it is clear how they conform to the use of wigs, headpieces and headwear adornments.

Elizabeth (1998)

At the start of the movie, Elizabeth still has her hair and is unmarried and not on the throne, and so she has less elaborate and shorter hairstyles. She has braiding and twisted hair around the back of the head, and it is clear that her hair is long enough to be able to do this without the help of fake hair.

Once Elizabeth has become queen, it is clear how her aesthetics change dramatically. She has a headpiece and a larger forehead, and she has pearls all across the hair.

Padding will have been used to make the hair as high as this, which was fashionable and desirable for women.




Elizabeth: The Golden Age

In the next film, Elizabeth again has the large, elaborate hairstyles. Tight curling has been done to create the corkscrew curl look, placed above very high padding. Moreover, the designers have added hair adornments that consist of pearls and feathers too, which compliments the outfit that she is wearing.






Blackadder

In Blackadder, Elizabeth's hair appears more natural, however still large. Also, her hair is a more vibrant red colour, and her forehead is smaller. She still has her pearl decorations and gold features across the head, however her hair is this style across the series, which is not necessarily accurate as Elizabeth had an extensive hair piece collection.



Elizabeth R (1971)

In this TV Show, Elizabeth looks decrepit and haggard, and, much like the fashion in those days, her hairline has been shaved back to an unnatural length. Moreover, she wears a bright red hairpiece with flower accessories on it. I think this may be most accurate as 40 years ago hair pieces won't have been as professional as they are these days, and they would have been more so in the tudor times. Like the other media, she doesn't seem to have heart shaped hair or braiding which is unusual.






The Virgin Queen (1955) 

This hairstyle is more elaborate than the other ones that I have looked at, as there is a lot of braiding, padding and twisted hair. I like the fact that the hair at the back is symmetrical and square shaped, which is quite unnatural and like the hair is a decoration rather than a natural entity on the head. Moreover, there is a lot of decoration here, it is clear from all of these examples that Elizabeth never had plain hair, she would always have some sort of jewellery or decorations on her headpieces.