Hairstyles for Amish Women
'Plain' Amish Kapps, Straw Hats, Kerchiefs and Hairdos
Contrary to popular belief, Amish headgear and hairstyles are not constant across all communities. By tradition and Ordnung, variations exist in different sects of the religion.
Amish Hairstyles for Women
Women's hairstyles among the Amish are influenced by two passages in the Bible—1 Corinthians 11:15, which prescribes long hair for women, and 1 Timothy 2:9-10, which prohibits 'broided' hair. Some Amish take 'broided' to mean any form of plaited or braided hair, and this concept of 'forbidden braids' has been popularised through Amish romantic fiction such as the works of Beverly Lewis. However, some Amish women do plait their hair simply, taking the verse to refer to elaborate, vain hairstyles rather than functional braids. Writing in 1938, A.M. Aurand wrote:
'There is only one style of wearing the hair among the Amish women, and that bears very little improvement. It is parted exactly in the middle and combed smoothly down toward the temples, where two plaits are started, carried around and gathered into a knot just under the edge of the white mull cap above the nape of the neck.' --The Amish
Aurand also noted that the hairstyles of young girls were identical to those of adults, although small girls were not required to wear headwear all the time.
For non-braiding Amish women, the hairstyle is similar to the version Aurand mentions. Women part their hair in the centre and twist their hair tightly back at the temples. The length is gathered into a plain bun at the back of the neck and pinned with straight-sided Amish pins, then covered with the kapp or prayer veil. An ex-member of the Swartzenruber Amish demonstrates constructing the women's hairstyle here; her method includes using strings and ties to keep the hair neat during the day. Amish women never cut or trim their hair.
The constant strain on the roots caused by twisting the hair at the temples has resulted in cases of traction alopecia among Amish women.
Amish Head Coverings: Prayer Veils, Bonnets and Hats for Women
The traditional Amish kapp is technically a prayer veil; however, this name is somewhat misleading as the kapp is worn all the time, not just during prayers. Kapps are generally black for teenage girls and white for younger girls and married women. Young girls sometimes wear white bonnets. Bonnets and kapps are made of fine organdie muslin.
The Nebraska Amish, one of the strictest sects, forbids the wearing of bonnets. Instead, the women wear kerchiefs or flat-topped straw hats.
See also Hair Styles for Amish Men.
