How to wear one's hair
In most of Leanor, hair is a way to depict one's status in society and life. With the exception of the native peoples from around the Sea of Fire, there are specific traditional rules of how hair is worn in different stages of life. These rules were first introduced by the Acadeans and are different for men and women.
Especially in higher social classes, people are expected to adhere to these rules and to pay attention to their appearance. Being dressed well and wearing one's hair properly are considered a sign of wealth and prosperity. Particularly wealthy women often show their wealth in their dress and with elaborately styled and adorned hair.
Women
In women's hairstyles, their social standing and life situation is very clearly shown. For girls and young, unmarried women, hair is generally worn in unbraided styles, either loose or in a simple bun or twist. Putting only the top half of the hair in a bun is also quite common. The choice of hairstyles depends on preference, but can also be dictated by what activities someone usually performs during the day.
For married women, hair is to be braided. Most women of lower classes just do a single braid down the back, but for ladies of nobility, these braided hairstyles can get very complex and elaborate. For widows, it is common to wear their hair loose or in a scarf. It is expected to wear one strand of hair braided to symbolize mourning for a few months after the husbands passing, and while most women take out that braid after a time, some opt to keep their widow's braid.
Men
For men, there are conventions of hairstyles as well, but they are far less rigidly followed than the women's. Usually, unmarried men will wear their hair short and be clean-shaven. For married men, it is common to have longer hair and a beard, though some prefer to continue shaving. For widowers, there is no specific hair rule, most just go back to short hair and clean-shaven faces, but some widowers keep their longer hair and sometimes even put a little braided strand into the back of their hair.
Exceptions
The first notable exception is any type of military formation. No matter their social standing, male soldiers are expected to keep their hair short and their faces clean-shaven. This is mostly done for sanitary reasons in order to keep things like head-lice out of the barracks. For female soldiers, it is acceptable, even expected, to braid their hair for the same reason, even if they're not married.
Most of the native peoples from around the Sea of Fire do not adhere to any of these rules. The Serbaith and Valeori for instance all wear their hair in a long braid down their back, while two braids are quite common among the Baithan natives. Since marriage is not practised in these native communities, there wouldn't be much use for a distinction between hairstyles for unmarried and married people.
Especially in higher social classes, people are expected to adhere to these rules and to pay attention to their appearance. Being dressed well and wearing one's hair properly are considered a sign of wealth and prosperity. Particularly wealthy women often show their wealth in their dress and with elaborately styled and adorned hair.
Women
In women's hairstyles, their social standing and life situation is very clearly shown. For girls and young, unmarried women, hair is generally worn in unbraided styles, either loose or in a simple bun or twist. Putting only the top half of the hair in a bun is also quite common. The choice of hairstyles depends on preference, but can also be dictated by what activities someone usually performs during the day.
For married women, hair is to be braided. Most women of lower classes just do a single braid down the back, but for ladies of nobility, these braided hairstyles can get very complex and elaborate. For widows, it is common to wear their hair loose or in a scarf. It is expected to wear one strand of hair braided to symbolize mourning for a few months after the husbands passing, and while most women take out that braid after a time, some opt to keep their widow's braid.
Men
For men, there are conventions of hairstyles as well, but they are far less rigidly followed than the women's. Usually, unmarried men will wear their hair short and be clean-shaven. For married men, it is common to have longer hair and a beard, though some prefer to continue shaving. For widowers, there is no specific hair rule, most just go back to short hair and clean-shaven faces, but some widowers keep their longer hair and sometimes even put a little braided strand into the back of their hair.
Exceptions
The first notable exception is any type of military formation. No matter their social standing, male soldiers are expected to keep their hair short and their faces clean-shaven. This is mostly done for sanitary reasons in order to keep things like head-lice out of the barracks. For female soldiers, it is acceptable, even expected, to braid their hair for the same reason, even if they're not married.
Most of the native peoples from around the Sea of Fire do not adhere to any of these rules. The Serbaith and Valeori for instance all wear their hair in a long braid down their back, while two braids are quite common among the Baithan natives. Since marriage is not practised in these native communities, there wouldn't be much use for a distinction between hairstyles for unmarried and married people.
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