Haircut and Facial Hair

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

From Ernest Waitt's "History of the Nineteenth Massachusetts..."

and he was obliged to wear his handkerchief, knotted at the four corners, on his bare head in lieu of a cap until the hair grew again.

-Sam Dolan
1st Texas Inf.

Wouldn't that be a great thing to see at an event by someone that shaved his head???

All the best from San Antonio, TX... Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[lthull3rdla]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

Hair? y'all have hair?

[GermanDraftee]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

As one of my nieces once put it, my head "has grown above my hair." In wedding photos taken from a choir loft, friends and relatives locate themselves by locating the back of my head and working from there. I don't worry about my haircut for reenacting. I have, however, been blessed with an abundance of facial hair. That is where I play with different, period correct styles. Last year it was the beard-but-no-moustache. This year its a big, bushy moustache. Next year, who knows?

[Bill]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

I wear my hair pretty short. During the season I get the back trimmed with a "block cut" rather than tapered. (That's done with scissors rather than clippers) I also let my mustache grow longer. (Thank God for mustache dye!)

While most guys had longer hair, my style is not that uncommon for the period. (Based on very unscientific viewing of period photos.)

[GrayGuerilla]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

How goes it AC,


I imagine the lice and chiggers you would encounter in camp would be enough make you want to keep as less hair as possible. A lacking supply of clean bath water would have kept you from keeping it so clean. But over an extensive campaign with miles of marching the soldiers would have let it go to personal desires limit. As far as using period photos as solid reference shouldn't we consider human vanity, in that someone would want to look their best to have their likeness captured so wouldn't poular fashion dictate(QM)... sorry my question mark key is broken...

I answered the poll by saying shaved heads are period too. However, your hair should represent as accurately as possible your impression; if you have been marching for weeks you should look accordingly; if your impression is in dress you should put a razor and comb to your face.

I would like to know if their were any quartermaster or health dept regulations or standards to millitary hair length and style of the period(QM) Or were the standards set by company or regimental commanders(QM) It seems we have some places of buisiness that tolerate less as far as appearance so were there the same type of conflicts in the mid 19th(QM)

BRIAN M MCDONALD
17th VA

[sf46]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

In my job, we aren't allowed any facial hair, and hair on my head has to be somewhat short. Until I'm lucky enough to be retired like some of the other gentlemen here, I have to make do with what I have as best I can. If I don't have to be at work for some time before an event, I can let it grow out for whatever length of time that is. I also try to push the envelope a bit by having my hair as long as allowable on the last day I have to be at work before an event so that I can continue to let it grow out for that time too. It still doesn't get to what I'd like, but it's better than nothing.

[Mudslinger]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

Because of my jobs (EMS and Fire Dept.) I am required to keep my hair, including facial, to a minimum similar to the old A.R. 672. EMS does allow us to grow facial hair, as long as it's neatly trimmed and appropriate (We still do not know what is an isn't appropriate. When I had a full beard last year the super's never complained.) I normally do not shave or cut my hair within 1-2 weeks before the event, as long as I don't have a shift around that time.

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

Well, until my retirement from Army active duty 3 weeks ago, I would always ensure to get a haircut 2 weeks prior to an event so that I could go to an event without a "high and tight" from a couple of week's growth, and still be within standards, and then get a haircut first thing back to work.

Now, I have gone 5 weeks without a haircut for the first time in 30 years! I can actually grasp the hair on the side of my head and pull it, but we'll see how that evolves, still not sure I can deal with it much longer. I probably won't go with facial hair, as it is all streaked with gray, and I've read older men sometimes went clean shaven to help look younger, an idea I can identify with.

[Barry Smithson]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

Frank,
I can sympathize with you. The first thing I did after leaving active duty as an Infantry Officer was let my hair grow (much to the dismay of my first wife!). I let it grow to my shoulders and then cut it and donated it to Locks of Love. I still do this on occasion. Most times I try to keep my hair of moderate length and wear either a beard or goatee now. Granted, it is white now, but looks period correct according to the photos that I have found.

[Huck]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

I can completely understand what everyone is going through. I am somewhat lucky in that regards, based on period photos, a standard AF haircut pretty much fits the times, at least for a younger soldier. Now the problem I am facing as I have gotten older in real life, and translated into my hobby again, those styles of hair cuts doesn't match up to well.

Now a question I was wondering, based on period photos, can anyone point to older men(s) in the ranks, having their hair cut in the style that is current vs. the 40 or 50's style. Sort of having the same hair style of the younger fellows in the compnay.
Would a soldier in their 30 or 40 continue to wear his hair in a style that would be 10 to 20 years out of date or something a bit more current?

[briangauthier]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

I have a full goatee right now and reading all these things, I just became aware that I have no idea what my employer's policy is on this. They all know I'm a history nut so maybe they are just letting it slip through the cracks. Maybe its because I teach history. Maybe its because I'm new. Maybe I should check before they show me the door.

[robert-m]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

i am in a job situation that allows facial hair. and the trends seem to me to be making a come back, with just the chin part of the goatee and no mustache and no imperial " bottom lip beard" as my boss calls it.i have noticed that around here in north ga that this style of facial hair is becoming very popular. any one else see this trend? and my hair on the head stays about an inch or so long on the sides and about 3 to 4 inches on the top.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

Since I sew full time now I have no restrictions on facial hair or hair length apart from Dan Wambaugh and his wife making fun of me! Even before I quit my day job I had a full beard for several years; this was trimmed down to a goatee and (curly) mustache this past June. Right now I'm looking homeless. My hair is several inches long, wavy on top and curly on the sides and back. I also haven't shaved in almost two weeks so my stylish, Wickersty-esque facial hair is being encroached upon.

Before any event I sometimes get to the point of worrying if my facial hair and haircut are appropriate but I try to keep them within historical context to the best of my ability. If I fuss over my at-event grooming to the point where I break out a comb I usually shoot for the look below. At least one event I attended saw me with closely cropped hair and a clean shave; diary entries from the company we portrayed stated the men all had shaves and their hair "cut as close to the scalp as possible" to help prevent lice and cool them off.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair


Virginia Noncommissioned officers' mess of Co. D, 93d New York Infantry. It was created in 1863 by O'Sullivan, Timothy H., 1840 1882
Here is one of my favorite pics that shows some relatively short hair styles...The one all the way to the right is pretty short...Some fine looking moustaches as well I must say.

[BarryDusel]

Re: Haircut and Facial Hair

For 28 years my job, Fire/Rescue required no facial hair and hair to a somewhat "military" length . I retired 2 years ago, July 2007 and can now do whatever I want. For me it's been a matter of finding something period that suits me. To date thats no styling per se. Scissors cut only .