There were quite a few different styles for our late Georgian era heroes and heroines (1790s through Regency), these featured in the graphic being among the most popular at the turn of the century.

Obviously, this graphic does not cover the entire Georgian era since styles changed roughly every decade or so, and the Georgian era stretched across four and a half monarchs and over a century in length. The styles we typically see in historical romance novels, however, are of the Regency era or during the stretch of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and so the graphic provided is focused on what we would see during those decades.

For gentlemen, short cropped on the sides and back, then swept forward over the forehead (either short or with unruly curls), was the general preference, although this could be achieved in a variety of ways, as shown.

For ladies, natural hair without wig or powder was preferred, cut boyishly short with the back tied in a chignon and ringlets framing the face, more often than not accessorized with a turban, cap, or bandeau. Wearing one's hair down was associated with wantonness, so only the "ladies of the night" wore their hair free and untied.

There are plenty of other style preferences, looks, and cuts throughout the long Georgian era, especially as we move back in time earlier in the century, but these were the popular choices as we move towards the Regency. For those that get a little anxious with reading pre-Regency works, such as novels taking place in the 1790s, know that the fashion and hairstyling was so similar to only be distinguished by those well versed in the yearly changing fashions. Wigs and powder were out of fashion with the younger generation by the late 1780s and certainly not worn in the '90s unless on the most formal of occasions. What you imagine the Regency hero and heroine to look like is pretty much would you can envision the heroes and heroines of the 1790s to look like.

For great detail and images, check out these resources:

Jane Austen's World: Regency Hairstyle

Out of Portrait: Romantic Era Hairstyles

Golden Romance Research: Ladies' Fashion of the 1790s

Golden Romance Research: Gentlemen's Fashion of the 1790s

Banner image: Romantic Era Hairstyles from Out of Portrait by Lynn McMasters, 2024