Boys' Ringlet Curls: Mid-19th Century--the 1840s


Figure 1.--This American brother and sister are dressed in similar, but not identical dresses and pantalettes. the painting is dated 1843, although we do not know the painter. Notice that while they are dressed similarly, they have very different hair syles. The girl has long ringlers, while her little brother has a short hair cut. Click on the image for a more detailed assessment.

Ringlets are especially difficult during the 1840s as there are so few photographic images. Thus portraits and fashion magazines are our main sources during the 1840s and 50s. Ringlet curls during this period appaer to have been very popular girls and young women. While some boys had ringlers and other long hair style, ringlets appear less common than in the late 19th century. Short hair styles were very common for boys in the 1840s and longer styles gradually became more common. Available Americam images from the 1840s often show girls wearing ringlets and even younger boys still wearing dresses often with short hair. We are less sure about other countries.










Christopher Wagner






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Created: September 27, 2000
Last edited: November 27, 20001