Chignon (hairstyle)
Encyclopedia
A chignon is a popular type of hairstyle. The word “chignon” comes from the French phrase “chignon du cou,” which means nape of the neck. Chignons are generally achieved by pinning the hair into a knot at the nape of the neck or at the back of the head, but there are many different variations of the style. They are frequently worn for special occasions, like weddings and formal dances, but the basic chignon is also worn for everyday casual wear.
. The chignon was specific to Athens
, as other city states, such as Sparta
and Cyprus
, had their own style of hairdressing. The chignon was also popular in Ancient China, where married women wore the low, knotted hairstyle. The chignon achieved popularity during the Victorian era; during that time, chignons were often enormous constructions including false hair or pads. Male writers, like Anthony Trollope
, were fond of poking fun at the absurdity of the fashion.The chignon’s popularity peaked again in the 1940s when many women wore the chignon with a headscarf while working in factories to support the war effort during World War II
. Presently, the chignon is still popular because of its association with French elegance, and the ease with which a chignon can be achieved.
History of the chignon
The chignon can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where Athenian women commonly wore the style with gold or ivory handcrafted hairpins. Athenian men wore the style as well, but they fastened their chignons with a clasp of "golden grasshoppers," according to "The History of the Peloponnesian War," by ThucydidesThucydides
Thucydides was a Greek historian and author from Alimos. His History of the Peloponnesian War recounts the 5th century BC war between Sparta and Athens to the year 411 BC...
. The chignon was specific to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, as other city states, such as Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, had their own style of hairdressing. The chignon was also popular in Ancient China, where married women wore the low, knotted hairstyle. The chignon achieved popularity during the Victorian era; during that time, chignons were often enormous constructions including false hair or pads. Male writers, like Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire...
, were fond of poking fun at the absurdity of the fashion.The chignon’s popularity peaked again in the 1940s when many women wore the chignon with a headscarf while working in factories to support the war effort during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Presently, the chignon is still popular because of its association with French elegance, and the ease with which a chignon can be achieved.