Meanings of Hairstyle

in the Elizabethan era it was easy to identify your class and relationship status by your hair style.

Typically a hairstyle that was worn loose and down signified a woman was unmarried. The most famous portrait of Elizabeth I with her hair down is that painted of her coronation.

Williamson, D, 2001. The National Portrait Gallery History of the Kings and Queens of England. 2nd ed. USA: Konecky & Konecky Military Books.

Elizabeth was only 25 years old and so was unmarried. This also helped show people that she was available helping progress her in the political world as this means she is available to form allegiance with other countries through marriage. 

Fair hair was the ideal vision of beauty and although Elizabeth had naturally red hair this was emulated by many of the nobilities at this time to reflect their ideals. Upper class women would dye their hair yellow with a mixture of saffron, cumin seeds, celandine and oil. 

History.com Staff. 2009. Elizabeth I. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/british-history/elizabeth-i. [Accessed 03 December 14].