15 Vintage Updos Inspired by Old Hollywood
There is a magic to Old Hollywood that transcends time. It wasn’t just about the films; it was an era of unparalleled glamour, sophistication, and meticulous style. A key element of that iconic look? The hair. From the sleek, sculpted waves of Veronica Lake to the elegant, regal chignons of Grace Kelly, vintage updos were masterpieces of artistry, designed to frame the face and exude confidence. These styles speak of a time when hair was an essential part of a woman’s armor and her allure.
The Sculpted & Sleek: Polished Perfection
This category is for the woman who loves clean lines and architectural beauty. These styles are all about control, shine, and a silhouette that commands attention.
The Veronica Lake Peek-a-Boo Roll: While known for her cascading waves, Veronica Lake also mastered the side-swept updo. The key is a deep side part, with hair swept dramatically to one side and rolled into a low, soft bun or twist at the nape. The “peek-a-boo” effect comes from a few strategic face-framing strands left loose.
The Grace Kelly Chignon: The epitome of regal elegance. This low chignon sits perfectly at the nape of the neck, sleek and smooth without a hair out of place. It’s often paired with a center or side part and requires a good boar bristle brush and strong-hold gel to achieve that impeccable polish.
The Katherine Hepburn Top Knot: Ahead of its time in its androgynous chic, Hepburn’s signature top knot was both practical and stylish. It’s a high, twisted knot that sits proudly on the crown, but always with a touch of softness—never too severe. It speaks of intelligence and effortless confidence.
The Voluminous & Victory Rolled: Bold and Glamorous
For those who believe bigger is better, these styles celebrate volume, height, and romantic curves. They are the ultimate statement updos.
The Classic Victory Rolls: A defining look of the 1940s, these rolled bangs or side sections were a symbol of strength and femininity during the war years. Creating two large, rolled curls that frame the face (often leading into an updo) adds instant vintage drama and attitude.
The Rita Hayworth Pompadour: Hayworth’s hair was a character in itself. Her version of the pompadour involved massive volume at the crown, created with backcombing and setting, swept up and away from the face with deep, flowing waves cascading from the back. It’s fiery, passionate, and unforgettable.
The Wavy & Textured: Romantic and Soft
These styles trade severe sleekness for softness and movement. They feature intricate braids, gentle waves, and a more “lived-in” romantic feel, perfect for the bohemian spirit with a classic heart.
The Bardot-Inspired Messy Bun: Brigitte Bardot brought a sexy, nonchalant ease to vintage style. Her iconic updo was a high, voluminous bun that looked effortlessly gathered, with plenty of wispy strands and texture. The key is to tease the hair before piling it up, not smoothing it down.
The Milkmaid Braid Crown: A favorite of ingenues like Debbie Reynolds, this style features one or two braids wrapped around the head like a crown. It’s sweet, feminine, and wonderfully practical. For an Old Hollywood twist, set the hair in pin curls before braiding to incorporate soft waves into the plaits.
The Gibson Girl Tuck: Harking back to the early 1900s and adored by stars like Lillian Gish, this style involves a soft, voluminous puff at the front, with the back hair twisted or folded into a loose, tucked roll. It’s incredibly romantic and has a gentle, Edwardian elegance.
The Braided & Intricate: Detailed Artistry
For the true hair artisan, these styles showcase skill and patience. They are walking works of art, often seen on stars in historical epics or at the most prestigious award ceremonies.
The Halo Braid: A single, continuous braid that encircles the head like a halo. It’s a stunning, ethereal look that was often seen on stars like Audrey Hepburn in her more angelic roles. It works best on medium to long hair and creates a beautiful, bohemian-vintage hybrid.
The Structured French Twist: A timeless classic. This style involves gathering the hair at the nape, twisting it upwards, and tucking the ends in to create a sleek, vertical fold. It’s the pinnacle of sophisticated evening wear and was a go-to for elegant stars like Lauren Bacall.
The Braided Chignon: Elevate the simple low bun by incorporating braids. This can be a braided ponytail twisted into a chignon, or a bun wrapped with a delicate braid. It adds texture and intricate detail to an otherwise simple form, much like the detailed gowns of the era.
The Short & Sassy: Pixie Cuts and Finger Waves
Old Hollywood glamour wasn’t exclusive to long hair. These iconic short styles prove that updos and polished looks are absolutely possible with shorter lengths.
The Finger Wave Set: The signature look of the flapper era and 1930s stars like Josephine Baker and Jean Harlow. This sculptural style uses gel and a comb to create tight, S-shaped waves close to the head. It’s a dramatic, high-maintenance look that is pure art deco in motion.
The Pixie with a Pin-Up Twist: Even short hair can be “up.” Think of Audrey Hepburn’s gamine style in “Roman Holiday.” Add vintage flair by creating small pin curls at the front with a dab of pomade, or sweeping the side back with a glamorous clip or flower.
The Headband Style: A simple yet profoundly vintage look. A wide, fabric or embellished headband (think of Grace Kelly in “Rear Window”) worn over smooth, rolled-under hair instantly channels 1950s chic. It’s an “updo” in feeling, keeping hair neatly off the face.
How to Achieve the Old Hollywood Vibe: Essential Tips
Mastering these vintage updos is about more than just technique; it’s about embracing the philosophy of the era.
Start with Set Hair: Old Hollywood stylists were masters of the wet set. For authentic waves and volume, set your hair in pin curls, rollers, or rag curls while damp. Let it dry completely before brushing out. This creates a lasting, resilient foundation that modern heat styling often can’t match.
Embrace the Tools: A rattail comb for precise parting and smoothing, sectioning clips, strong-hold pins (like bobby pins and U-pins), and a natural bristle brush are non-negotiable. A good setting lotion and a final mist of firm-hold hairspray will lock your masterpiece in place.
Accessorize Like a Star: The finishing touch. Think velvet ribbons, jeweled hair combs, fresh flowers, delicate veils, or sparkling barrettes. Choose one statement piece rather than several to maintain that classic elegance.
Perfect Your Posture: These styles were designed to be seen from all angles. They demand the confidence and poise of a screen legend. Stand tall, smile, and own the look.
