Feasy, fast, incredibly chic. The chignon is all this. A hairstyle that is admired as little girls, fascinated by the dancers who wear it with natural elegance, and then continues to be loved as adults for its extraordinary versatility. Can be high or low, strict or soft, with a central or side parting. It fits to everyday life as well as special occasions: from the Olympic platforms – as demonstrated by Vittoria Ceretti and the skaters – to the red carpets. Ultimately, it’s a real look-saving updo for hair, discreet but always impeccable.
Chignon, the hairstyle born in Ancient Greece
If today we associate it with classical ballet or ice skaters, the chignon actually boasts a very ancient history. Its origins date back toAncient Greece, where he was loved by Athenian women who embellished him with gold or ivory clasps.
From Athens to Rome the step was short, but it was real triumph came many centuries later: first it became an emblem of rigor in the era Victorian, then symbol of practicality during World War II. A few gestures were enough to collect your hair neatly, without sacrificing elegance.
From left: Margareth Qualley, Margot Robbie, Sarah Pidgeon (via @Brycescarlet Ig).
After the Second World War its charm changed radically. Thanks to movie stars, such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, the chignon becomes protagonist of great occasions: in films, between elegant balls and sumptuous dinners, loses the aura of severity and conquers thethe luminous elegance of 1950s Hollywood. More or less high, the famous “chignon de cou”, or bun, stands out on the heads of the most refined women.
Little has changed since then: red carpets continue to show all variations of this hairstyle screwed on itself. With a new twist, however: today the chignon is also used in everyday life, a symbol of practical and refined femininity, perfect for going to the gym or facing the hottest days, without sacrificing style.
The models: from the “ballerina bun” to the “messy bun”
How many types of chignons are there? So many. Let’s start with the evergreen: the ballet dancer chignon. It is a high, mid-neck crop, perfectly tidy. No hair out of place, no side or center parting: the hair is pulled backwards and twisted on itself to form a real “onion”. They think about keeping him still hairpins, plenty of hairspray and a hairnet the same color as your hair. Pure, classic and rigorous elegance.
However, it is less rigid low chignon. It can be pulled completely back or left with a few free locks: ua version loved by today’s celebrities. Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hailey Bieber and Kim Kardashian they often show it off on the red carpet. This variant is versatile: it can be rigorous or soft and slightly disheveled, perhaps enriched with decorative bars, and is also among the most widespread in everyday life because it is easy to replicate.
More complex is the so-called “reverse bun”. To create it, start upside down, tying the hair at the nape of the neck to form a small “onion”, leaving the lengths free which are then rolled up on themselves to cover the elastic and fixed from below.
An elegant alternative? The classic chignon with a free side lock, to wrap around the elastic to hide it in style.
