I
absolutely love long hair – both on men and women - which is probably part of
the reason why I write historicals. But
I have to admit that some of the hairstyles of the past have been less than
flattering, which is why I never allow my heroes or heroines to follow hair
fashions slavishly. I prefer to let them
be more natural. And as for wearing wigs
– no way!
Just
the thought of my heroes having something so itchy (and probably full of lice) on
their heads is seriously off-putting.
Imagine trying to run your fingers through it, only for the entire wig
to end up in your hands while you’re left looking at a head full of
stubble? No thanks.
Everyone
laughs at the “Roundheads” from the English Civil War, although in reality not
all that many of them actually sported the so called “pudding bowl” hair
cut. On a battlefield, it would have
been difficult to distinguish them from the Royalists as they mostly all had
long hair. Instead they’d wear some sort
of token to show which side they were on.
I was very pleased when I came across that piece of information, because
in my novel The Gilded Fan the hero
has be on the Parliamentarian side (for various reasons) and I couldn’t imagine
finding him handsome with his hair shorn just below his ears. It’s just not a good look!
Women
too, can get it wrong. Take the Regency
ladies, for example - Jane and Lizzy Bennett in the TV adaptation (yes, the one
with Darcy in his wet shirt coming out of the lake) looked pretty enough. Personally, I thought that whenever they let
their hair down to brush it in the evenings it was so much nicer! And having tried it myself a while back, for
a Regency Day organised by the RNA, I have to say that an ordinary Regency hair
do, with plaits close to the head and a little top knot, made me look at least
ten years older, if not more! I didn't like it at all. If I ever
dress up again, I’ll have to find a better style.
Long
hair on men seems to be something readers either love or hate though – what do
you think? Love it or loathe it?
Christina x
www.christinacourtenay.com
