The hairstyles of Ancient Rome were more than just a fashion statement—they were a testament to creativity, social status, and cultural influence. From intricate braids to elaborate updos adorned with jewels, Roman women used their hair to express wealth, power, and elegance. Today, these historic hairstyles inspire modern beauty trends, offering versatility and sophistication for every occasion.
In this blog, we’ll explore 20 Ancient Roman hairstyles for women, breaking down their cultural significance and how you can recreate them today. Whether you’re looking for a chic everyday look or a dramatic style for a special event, these Roman hairstyles have you covered.
1. Tutulus: The Iconic Cone-Shaped Bun
The Tutulus was a cone-shaped bun worn by Roman matrons to signify their marital status. Hair was pulled tightly upward and secured into a high bun, often decorated with pins or ribbons.
Cultural Significance: Married women used the Tutulus to symbolize their authority within the household. It was often associated with traditional values and respectability.
How to Recreate It Today:
- Start by gathering your hair into a high ponytail.
- Twist the hair into a tight coil and secure it at the crown with bobby pins.
- Add a decorative ribbon or metal pin for a historical touch.
This sleek style is perfect for formal events or themed parties, offering a timeless, regal vibe.
2. The Nodus: Simple and Sophisticated
The Nodus was a straightforward style featuring a knot of hair pulled forward over the forehead. This style was particularly favored by noblewomen who preferred elegance with minimal effort.
Cultural Significance: The nodus showcased simplicity and refinement, often worn with subtle accessories to enhance its charm.
Modern Adaptation:
- Part your hair in the middle and pull a section from the crown forward.
- Twist it into a loose knot and pin it just above your forehead.
- Leave the rest of your hair loose or tie it into a low ponytail for a modern twist.
This look is ideal for casual outings or professional settings, adding a vintage touch to your ensemble.
3. Braided Crown: A Symbol of Grace
The Braided Crown was a circular arrangement of braids that adorned the heads of Roman women during festivals and special ceremonies.
Cultural Significance: This style emphasized femininity and elegance, often worn with flowers or gold accents for added flair.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Part your hair into two sections and create a braid on each side.
- Wrap the braids around the crown of your head, securing them with pins.
- Add floral or jewel-encrusted pins for a romantic touch.
This hairstyle is perfect for weddings or formal gatherings, offering a blend of sophistication and charm.
4. Melon Style: Structured and Unique
The Melon Style involved dividing the hair into multiple sections, creating a melon-like appearance. The sections were often secured with ribbons and gathered into a bun at the back.
Cultural Significance: This intricate style was popular among Roman aristocracy, signifying wealth and meticulous grooming.
How to Achieve This Look:
- Use a comb to divide your hair into even sections from the crown to the nape.
- Tie each section with a small elastic and gather them into a low bun.
- Finish with decorative ribbons for a historically accurate touch.
This structured style works well for costume events or when you want to make a bold, elegant statement.
5. Victoria Comma: Waves of Elegance
Inspired by Empress Livia, the Victoria Comma featured soft, side-swept waves that led into a low bun or ponytail.
Cultural Significance: This style symbolized power and poise, making it a favorite among Roman noblewomen.
Recreating This Style Today:
- Create soft waves with a curling iron, focusing on the sections framing your face.
- Sweep the waves to one side and secure them into a low bun or ponytail.
- Use a pearl-studded clip to enhance the vintage charm.
The Victoria Comma is ideal for semi-formal events, offering a graceful and polished look.
6. Ornate Hair with Jewels: A Display of Wealth
For affluent Roman women, hair was not just styled but also decorated with jewels, beads, and gold. These accessories transformed simple buns and braids into opulent masterpieces.
Cultural Significance: This trend highlighted the wearer’s wealth and social standing, making it a favorite for public appearances.
Modern Take:
- Style your hair into a bun or braid.
- Add jeweled hairpins or decorative combs to elevate the look.
- Incorporate metallic ribbons for an extra touch of glamour.
This style is perfect for galas or red-carpet events, exuding luxury and sophistication.
7. The Helmet Bun: Sleek and Practical
The Helmet Bun was a tightly coiled bun that rested at the back of the head, ideal for active women or those seeking a minimalist look.
Cultural Significance: This style combined practicality with elegance, making it suitable for both daily activities and formal events.
Styling Tips:
- Smooth your hair into a low ponytail.
- Twist the hair into a tight bun and secure it with pins.
- Finish with a light-hold hairspray to maintain the sleek appearance.
This no-fuss hairstyle is great for busy professionals or anyone seeking a polished, understated look.
8. The Braided Chignon: Romantic and Timeless
The Braided Chignon paired intricate braids with a low bun, creating a romantic and versatile hairstyle.
Cultural Significance: This look was favored by middle-class women, showcasing beauty and practicality.
How to Create It:
- Braid small sections of hair from each side and gather them into a low bun.
- Secure the bun with decorative pins.
- Add fresh flowers for a touch of whimsy.
This style is perfect for garden parties or casual weddings, offering effortless elegance.
9. Flavian Wave: Voluminous and Regal
The Flavian Wave featured large, cascading waves that framed the face and flowed backward, creating a dramatic and regal look.
Cultural Significance: This hairstyle gained popularity during Emperor Domitian’s reign and symbolized grandeur and confidence.
How to Get the Look:
- Use a large-barrel curling iron to create loose waves.
- Tease the crown for added volume and pin the top sections back.
- Spray with a shine-enhancing mist for a glossy finish.
This hairstyle is ideal for evening galas or photo shoots, radiating old-world glamour.
10. Twisted Rope Braids: Simple Yet Stylish
The Twisted Rope Braid was a minimalist hairstyle where two sections of hair were twisted together and tied into an updo.
Cultural Significance: This style symbolized unity and grace, making it a popular choice for young women.
Recreating It Today:
- Divide your hair into two sections and twist each tightly.
- Wrap the twists into a low bun or leave them cascading down.
- Secure with pins and add subtle accessories for a modern update.
This versatile look works for both casual and formal occasions, adding texture and interest to your hairstyle.
11. Apollo Knot: Regal and Structured
The Apollo Knot was a highly structured updo that involved pulling the hair upward into a tight knot or bun at the crown of the head. Often adorned with ribbons or a diadem, this style was favored by Roman women of high status.
Cultural Significance: Named after the Greek god Apollo, this hairstyle symbolized divinity and elegance, often worn during religious ceremonies or formal gatherings.
How to Recreate It Today:
- Gather all your hair into a high ponytail and twist it into a sleek bun.
- Secure the bun with bobby pins and wrap a decorative ribbon around its base.
- Add a jeweled headband or diadem for a historically inspired finish.
This style is perfect for formal events or weddings, radiating sophistication and poise.
12. Double-Braided Crown: Intricate and Feminine
The Double-Braided Crown featured two layers of braids circling the head, creating an ornate and elegant look.
Cultural Significance: This hairstyle was often associated with wealth and luxury, as it required significant effort and skill to create.
Modern Adaptation:
- Braid two sections of hair on either side of your head.
- Wrap the braids around the crown and secure them with pins.
- Leave the remaining hair loose or tie it into a low bun for added flair.
This hairstyle is ideal for galas, historical reenactments, or themed events, offering a balance of beauty and complexity.
13. Veiled Chignon: Graceful and Modest
The Veiled Chignon was a low bun paired with a veil or fabric draped over the hair, often worn by Roman matrons.
Cultural Significance: This style represented modesty and respectability, frequently worn during public appearances or religious ceremonies.
How to Achieve It Today:
- Create a low bun at the nape of your neck, securing it tightly with pins.
- Drape a light scarf or veil over the bun and secure it with hairpins.
- Add subtle jewelry to complement the look.
This style is perfect for conservative events or cultural celebrations, combining simplicity with elegance.
14. Cascading Braids: Effortless and Romantic
The Cascading Braids hairstyle involved multiple braids flowing freely down the back, often adorned with beads or small ornaments.
Cultural Significance: This style symbolized youth and vitality, commonly worn by younger women or during festivals.
Recreating It for Today:
- Part your hair into several sections and braid each one loosely.
- Allow the braids to cascade down your back and secure them with decorative elastics.
- Add beads or ribbons for a playful, festive touch.
This look is ideal for outdoor events or casual gatherings, offering a carefree yet elegant vibe.
15. The Laurel-Inspired Updo: Natural and Regal
The Laurel-Inspired Updo mimicked the shape of laurel wreaths, with sections of hair twisted and pinned in a circular pattern.
Cultural Significance: This hairstyle paid homage to the laurel crown, a symbol of victory and honor in Roman culture.
Modern Variation:
- Divide your hair into sections and twist each one into small coils.
- Arrange the coils in a circular pattern around your head and secure them with pins.
- Add a laurel-inspired headpiece for a dramatic, historically accurate finish.
This updo is perfect for award ceremonies or themed parties, exuding a sense of grandeur and accomplishment.
16. Loose Waves with Braided Accent: Subtle and Natural
Roman women occasionally opted for looser hairstyles, with soft waves and a small braided section for detail.
Cultural Significance: This casual look was favored for private gatherings, symbolizing relaxation and natural beauty.
How to Get the Look:
- Use a curling wand to create loose waves throughout your hair.
- Braid a small section near your temple and pin it back.
- Leave the rest of your hair flowing freely for a relaxed, bohemian vibe.
This versatile hairstyle works well for casual outings or intimate gatherings, highlighting effortless beauty.
17. The Ladder Braid: Unique and Structured
The Ladder Braid was an intricate design that featured interwoven sections resembling the rungs of a ladder.
Cultural Significance: This hairstyle showcased a woman’s creativity and dexterity, often worn during social events.
Modern Take:
- Create two parallel braids on either side of your head.
- Weave small sections from each braid together, forming a ladder-like pattern.
- Secure the ends with decorative pins or elastics.
This style is perfect for showcasing your braiding skills at parties or festivals, offering a truly eye-catching look.
18. Twisted Low Bun with Gold Accents: Elegant and Opulent
The Twisted Low Bun featured multiple twists gathered into a bun at the nape, often adorned with gold clips or ribbons.
Cultural Significance: This style was a favorite among Roman noblewomen, symbolizing wealth and refinement.
How to Recreate It:
- Divide your hair into several sections and twist each one tightly.
- Gather the twists into a low bun and secure them with pins.
- Add gold or metallic accessories to enhance the luxurious feel.
This hairstyle is ideal for formal dinners or upscale events, radiating elegance and sophistication.
19. The Half-Up Braided Halo: Whimsical and Youthful
The Half-Up Braided Halo combined a crown braid with loose hair, creating a soft, ethereal look.
Cultural Significance: This style was often associated with celebrations and festivals, emphasizing femininity and joy.
How to Achieve It:
- Braid a section of hair from each side of your head and wrap them around the crown.
- Leave the remaining hair loose and flowing.
- Add floral pins or delicate jewelry for a whimsical touch.
This look is perfect for garden parties or springtime events, offering a romantic and youthful vibe.
20. The Spiral Bun: Intricate and Striking
The Spiral Bun involved coiling the hair into a spiral pattern, creating a dramatic and structured updo.
Cultural Significance: This style was a testament to the wearer’s sophistication, often reserved for formal events.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Twist sections of hair into coils and arrange them in a spiral pattern at the crown.
- Secure the coils with pins and finish with a light mist of hairspray.
- Add pearl or jeweled accents for extra glamour.
This bold hairstyle is perfect for making a statement at formal gatherings or themed occasions.
These 20 Ancient Roman Hairstyles for Women highlight the timeless beauty and creativity of Roman culture. Whether you’re channeling the elegance of a noblewoman or embracing a casual, natural look, these hairstyles offer inspiration for modern interpretations.