Posted by Jessamyn on July 08, 1997 at 01:47:39:
In reply to Ball gown! posted by Robyn on July 07, 1997 at 06:18:25
] This is kind of an "I need an opinion" thing:
] In August, I have my senior ball. I am having my dress made, and, naturally, it is an empire line dress (my mother was very NOT surprised!!!). (Incidently, a very nice empire line dress! I'm so excited!!)
] Anyway, my problem is this: I want to have my hair up in proper Regency style, but my hair is quite long and quite thick (and therefore heavy). Does anyone know of, or can anyone suggest a good, very elegant, ball-type hair style, that will STAY THERE??? Please advise me! I'm desperate!
I have very long hair (down to my tailbone) which is totally out of period for the Regency.
What I do (I now use this hairstyle for everyday wear and can do it in 5 minutes, so don't be scared off by my wordiness) is wash it and WHILE STILL DAMP, I pull the front part back and clip it with a big, tortoiseshell-colored barette a little above ear-height. I comb and smooth all the hanging hair into a sort of fat rope, bring it over my left shoulder and twist toward my shoulder. I have to smooth as I twist.
After several inches are twisted, go up and around the barette, tucking it under the edges of the barette, and then continue around under the barette. When you've made a full circle, pulling firmly the whole way, start tucking under your own rope of hair instead of just the barette. (Keep twisting!) Mine's so long I go around twice before I'm down to the wispies, but whatever, just twist and tuck very firmly.
I then put in four bobby pins, one each at north, south, east and west, each at a slight angle. You could use more, of course.
What you wind up with is smooth sides and top of your head, and a firm, smooth, flattish bun in back. Don't do it right on top of your head (too Edwardian) or on the nape of your neck (too Virginia Woolf). And then, to turn this from a nice bun to a Regency hairstyle, you need two things: 1) curled bangs, and 2)garnish (!) Lizzie's tiny-white-flowers headpiece is great if you can get it, but it works surprising well to wrap the bun with a wide ribbon, or tuck little silk or dried flowers here and there, or even a single ostrich feather! (But maybe that's too Miss Bingley.)
Good luck! Whatever you do, practice it first so you'll be an old hand by the Big Night.
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