About Chignons

About Chignons

Updos such as chignons are one of the most popular women's hairstyles for proms, weddings and other important events. However, because they are so easy to create and provide a polished appearance, they are ideal for the office as well. Learn more about this traditional fashionable hairstyle.

History

Chignons date back to ancient Athens and were worn by both women and men. While the women of this Greek region secured the style using pins fashioned from bone or wood, men of Athens fastened theirs with golden pins formed into grasshopper shapes. The style gained wild popularity again during the Victorian era, when women tried to outdo one another with enormously padded buns. The most recent widespread trend of wearing the updo was during World War II; women working in factories found it a practical style to keep their hair up.

Function

The chignon is primarily worn for two reasons. First, the style provides an ultra-feminine, romantic arrangement that flatters any woman's face. It is not an overstated style, which is important when wearing an intricate dress such as a wedding gown or other formal dress. The second reason is much more practical--chignons are simple to do. They can typically be created without assistance or a lot of accessories. The style allows a woman to swiftly put her long hair up and out of the way.

Features

The literal translation of the French word "chignon" (pronounced shee-nyon) means "neck bun." This is an accurate description of the style, which is basically hair twisted into a round bun shape and secured at the nape of the neck. Chignons can be neat and polished or loose and sexy, but they all have the same characteristics of twisted hair secured with pins or other small accessories low on the head.

Types

Chignons can be created using all of a woman's hair for a sleek, sophisticated look. They can be looser, allowing for a part or bangs in the front and sporting romantic curled or wispy tendrils about the face and neck. One thick braid or several small braids can be twisted into a chignon. The buns can be placed to the right or left of the nape of the neck, and flowers or other embellishments can be tucked into the bun for added flair.

Considerations

Providing your hair is long enough to pull into a low ponytail with some hair left on the bottom of the ponytail, you can wear a chignon. Coil the ponytail into a low bun and tuck the ends under the rolled hair. Pin the bun in place and spritz with hairspray for added hold. If you do not have long enough hair to twist into this style, consider buying a clip-on chignon hairpiece that matches your hair color.

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