Florentine Hairstyles in the mid 16th Century

Eleonora di Toledo had an iconic look which she altered very little during her lifetime. This statement applies to her hair styles as much as the iconic dress style she popularized in Tuscany. Through her life, Eleonora would wear a jeweled hair net over her hair. Her daughters and other members of the court can be seen without a net. Instead these ladies would have jewels or ribbons in their hair. This tutorial is to help you style your hair in the Florentine fashion of Eleonora's court. Let's begin!

Eleonora di Toledo by Bronzino. Currently at the National Gallery of Prague.
Painted shortly after her marriage to Duke Cosimo di Medici of Tuscany in 1539.

What you Need:

Needle and Thread

Snips

Hair Bodkin with 1/4 inch tape roughly 2 yards is plenty

Hair comb

Hair net

Elenonora di Toldedo by Bronzino in the Wallace Collection, London.

How to:

Step 1. Comb out hair until smooth and part down center with your hair bodkin. Then twist bangs from your center part to above your ear. Use hair bodkin to assist taking portions and shaping twist. Secure twists behind your ears with needle and thread. Snip thread and repeat for other side. When finished these twists will frame the face.

Step 2. Braid tail of the twists into the remaining hair, and maintain your center part. Secure ends with needle and thread for each side.

Step 3. Position braids in a circle toward the back of your crown. Tuck braid tails under your braids

Step 4. Secure by sewing braids to the hair underneath or using the hair bodkin and tape. I prefer tape as dark as my hair so I can reuse it for many years in this case.

Step 5. Cover braids with jeweled hairnet. I do not have one finished yet, but will post an update when that happens.

Lady in Green by Alessandro Allori, 1560
San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California 1940.75

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