Posted by AnneLB on July 30, 1997 at 13:17:01:
In reply to Re: Hairstyles in Emma 2 posted by Caroline on July 28, 1997 at 11:24:12
] ] Are the hairstyles in this movie authentic to the period? I don't recall seeing some of the styles,
] To be frank, I don't find the hairstyles or the clothes of Emma2 particularly authentic- I think both have been severely Hollywoodised! You will find more accurate copies in Emma3 and Persuasion.
]
] And how would the lower classes do their hair? I can't imagine they had the time to do all those curls.
] Depends what you mean by "lower classes." Most contemporary drawings and paintings show simple buns,plaits(braids) and CAPS on farmwomen, fisherfolk, etc.
] However, servants (especially those on display, like personal maids, housekeepers, dressers) were considered as status symbols.Many of these people dressed as elaborately as their employers, and often wore their hand-me-downs. Many visitors to England, make a point of saying how grandly English servants dressed,and how it was sometimes hard to tell them apart from their masters. Queen Charlotte tried to insist that the tradition of servants wearing a white ribbon on their sleeve to show their status be made compulsory for this very reason.She didn't manage it, by the way.
]Jane has a maid fixing her hair in P&P2, and I would imagine the extra two hands were neccessary for the elaborate hair decorations and pinning the extra pieces, etc. As for Emma, I agree. Too Hollywood. The dresses are lovely, but some of the hairstyles are ghastly!!! I think it was an appeal to Modernize the character, somewhat. Unfortunate.
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