Hair dilemna

Hi all, I have a first reenactment coming up on Sat and can't get my hair into a bun. I have a daydress and bonnet, but I have hair that falls to about 4" below my shoulders, and layers, and it does not want to go into a bun. May be my skill, but same result.

I would not wear a snood with a bonnet, and the sutlery lady told me they were only meant for wearing when you were working, so I am guessing maybe with a camp dress.

Any other ideas on what to do with it while wearing a bonnet?

I guess I have been thinking about it a lot because I dreamed last night I went to the reenactment in my pajamas! Geez. Julie

Try this, for starters:
http://thegracefullady.com/ladiessociety/hair.htm

Please wear a hairnet with your bonnet, as well as without. And throw the snood out

Hint - do not wash your hair for 2-3 days before the event. Dirty hair holds better than clean.
Good luck - and have fun!

Thnks Elizabeth. I don't have a snood, I figured it wasn't needed with the bonnet. Unfortunately I don't have a hair net either. Is that something that can be gotten anywhere, or only a period one from a sutlery?

tanka said:

Thnks Elizabeth. I don't have a snood, I figured it wasn't needed with the bonnet. Unfortunately I don't have a hair net either. Is that something that can be gotten anywhere, or only a period one from a sutlery?

Click to expand...

Correct looking everyday hair nets can be purchased from Sally' Beauty supply for about a buck (Wave O Net):
http://www.sallybeauty.com/Hair-net/JACONT4,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH

You can also opt to wear an invisible hairnet, just to keep your hair properly confined.

Then there are the fancy hairnets...

GOT ***** SNOOD?

Excerpted from "Millinery in the Civil War Era" by Anna Allen
http://intimelyfashion.com/accessories/topping.html

Hairnets, I think it's safe to say, are one of the most misrepresented pieces in Civil War reenacting. If you go to a reenactment, you will most likely find nylon "snoods" somewhere in sight, either on someone's head or in a sutler's shop. WARNING!! Stay way away from these horrible inaccuracies! Hairnets of this era were NOT thick and chunky and were also not made of nylon. They were netted using fine silk thread and could be decorated with pleated silk ribbon. Also, I find many reenactors who wear these "snoods" just put it on without even doing their hair. The proper way to put on a hairnet is to first do your hair up in a neat style and then put the hairnet over your done up hair.

Another thing to keep in mind are the "doily hairnets" you see many places. These are also not correct for this era. Although it's hard to find the exact materials used from back then, you can still make one that looks very much like the ones they had for a fairly reasonable price. Sally Beauty Supply sells a hairnet which is a bit thicker than the very thin "lunch lady" hairnets that works marvelously. They are called "Wave-O-Net" and come in a little box for only $1 a piece. Talk about reasonable! I think they come in black, brown, and a lighter shade as well. It is very easy to make one of these hairnets into a fairly accurate reproduction hairnet. First take a piece of wire the length of the top part of your hairnet. To determine the length, fit the wire over your head and it should come just about to your ears. Encase the wire in a piece of ribbon or cloth sewn together. I just used the same ribbon I trimmed the net with for the casing. Then pin the top half of the hairnet to the encased wire and hand stitch it so it is secure. Now pleat some ribbon to fit over the wire and a little beyond the wire ends. Also hand sew the pleated ribbon in place. Voila! It's really not all that difficult, and it's even cheaper than those fake "snoods." You will look absolutely stunning! (See example of this in the below left picture)

GOOD HAIRNETS ready-made: www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/readymades.htm

Or join The Sewing Academy to learn how to make your own: thesewingacademy.org

BAD HAIRNETS TO AVOID: www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/ready-mades_farbysnood.html

For heavy labor one might choose a head-kerchief... like this:
and to be clear, one really would like a sun-bonnet, with the brim stiffened either by slats or cording, rather than a "fashion bonnet."

Photo Credit: Noah Briggs, 2009 No use without permission.