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As any vintage beauty enthusiast can tell you, we put our hair through a lot to achieve the pretty styles of the past. Setting into pin curls, sleeping in rollers, brushing out curls, and teasing can create gorgeous hairstyles, but can also cause hair breakage. I like to give my hair some days off from more intense styling by rotating in vintage updo hairstyles. For the days you just can’t deal with curling irons or setting your hair in rollers, these easy vintage updos are here to the rescue.

Most of these vintage updos require no heat styling or using rollers, though you may find it easier to create some of them if your hair is already curled. This makes them great second- or third-day hairstyles.

A casual hairstyle like milkmaid braids is great for jobs that require you to keep your hair up, or for keeping hair off your neck in high temperatures. A poodle updo is an elegant hairstyle to try for formal occasions, while a braided side bun accessorized with a hat is a more unique style.

Whether you’re looking for a retro wedding hairstyle, an easy formal hairstyle or are just looking for something new to try, these vintage updos are sure to inspire.

Easy Vintage Updo Hairstyles

Victory Rolls

This retro hairstyle was popular in the 1940s. There are a lot of different ways you can style victory rolls, and you can either leave part of your hair down or pull it all up as I have here. Here’s how I created this victory rolls updo hairstyle:

1. Create a side part. Separate the front sections of hair from your part to just behind your ears.
2. Pull the rest of your hair up into a bun or French twist.
3. Working with one of the front sections, use a styling comb to tease your hair. You may need to do this in several layers if your hair is thick.
4. Starting from the ends of the section, use your hands to roll the section, keeping it pulled taut to the side. Continue rolling as you bring it closer to your part. Pin into place with bobby pins.
5. Repeat on the other side, positioning the roll as close to the first roll as you can get it.
6. Rub a light layer of pomade into your fingertips and gently run over the rolls for shine and hold. Spray your hair with strong hold hairspray.

Braided Side Bun

This hairstyle is inspired by one Carmen Miranda wore in the 1948 film A Date With Judy. Watch my video tutorial on my Instagram or follow these instructions to get the look:

1. Start with a center part. Take a front section of hair from one side and roll it up to your part, so it sits slightly on your forehead, and pin into place with bobby pins. It may help to curl this section with a curling iron before rolling.
2. Next, brush all of your hair up and create a high side ponytail on the same side of your head as the roll.
3. Braid the ponytail and secure with a clear elastic. Bring the end of the braid up toward your head and form it into a circle, or in a way that works for you. Tuck the ends in and pin into place with bobby pins.
4. Smooth the back and sides of your hair with pomade and/or hairspray. Pin down any flyaways.
5. Place a pillbox or tilt hat on the other side of your head, slightly over your forehead.

Bumper Bangs with Victory Rolls

This style is inspired by the character Rachael in the 1982 sci-fi/action film Blade Runner. You’ll need a few extra tools for this look: a hair rat—I used a hair donut, also called a bun form, and cut it once—and a hair net. I’m wearing the Wearable Art by Jenny Dame Sparkle Hair Net for a little extra glam. Here’s how to create the look:

1. Create a center part. Curl the ends of your hair so it’s easier to roll and tuck into the hair net.
2. Separate a section of your hair for the “bangs,” from about the top of your head to the outer corners of your eyebrows. Clip the rest of your hair out of the way.
3. Place the “bangs” section on top of the hair rat and roll up until it reaches your forehead. Use bobby pins to pin into place. Gently adjust the hair so it hides the hair rat.
4. Separate the side sections of hair to just behind your ears. Tease these sections. Use your hands to roll each section up into a victory roll and pin into place.
5. Gather the rest of your hair into the hair net, bringing the top of the hair net to rest on the top of your head. Use bobby pins at the top and sides to hold the hair net in place. Finish with a strong hold hairspray.

Gibson Tuck / Roll-Up Hairstyle

There are different ways to create this vintage hairstyle, known as the Gibson roll, or Gibson tuck, named after the Gibson Girl. Here are three different methods:

• Use a long hair roll to roll up all of your hair and pin into place.
• Put on a narrow elastic headband so it sits on top of your hair, not underneath it. Starting at one ear, tuck your hair into the headband, section by section.
• Lastly, you can create this style using only bobby pins, as I have done above. Create a side part, then twist the front side sections and pin into place. Curl the ends of your hair so they’re easier to roll. Working with one section of hair at a time, roll up to the nape of your neck and pin into place. The amount of times you’ll need to repeat this depends on the thickness of your hair.

Milkmaid Braids

Milkmaid braids were a popular style in the 1940s. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also favored braided updo hairstyles. Get the Frida Kahlo hair tutorial here.

Standing Braids

This style is a little different from milkmaid braids in that the braids sit on top of the head rather than being brought up the sides. It’s just as easy to do. Here’s how:

1. Start with a center part then create high pigtails at the top of your head.
2. Braid the pigtails and secure with elastics. Gently massaged the braids to created more volume.
3. Bring one braid over the top of your head to meet the other pigtail and pin into place; pin the ends down. Bring the other braid over your head so it sits just behind and slightly higher than the first braid; pin into place and pin the ends down.
4. Clip a hair flower to one side or both sides, which looks cute and also helps hide where you pinned down the ends.

Side Bun with a Beret

This hairstyle is so simple yet so chic. Pull your hair into a low side ponytail. Twist your hair and roll into a bun; pin into place. Position a beret so it hangs over the side where the bun is. See more ways to wear a beret here.

Low Bun with a Fascinator Hat

For a similar look that also works for formal occasions, twist the side sections of hair back and pin into place. Then create a sleek low bun or chignon. Complete the look with a vintage fascinator hat tilted to one side.

Braided Bangs with a Beret

This is an adorable vintage hairstyle for long hair. You can use a faux braid if your hair is thin or short. Here’s how to get the look:

1. Create a side part and brush your hair to one side.
2. Braid your hair and secure the end with an elastic.
3. Pin the front section of hair back so it’s away from your forehead.
4. Bring the braid up and over to the opposite side of your head, arranging it close to your forehead where bangs would be.
5. Pin the braid into place with bobby pins. Place a beret so it hangs over the side of your head without the braid. (Watch my video tutorial on Instagram.)

1940s Poodle Updo

The poodle updo is a more glamorous 1940s hairstyle. Depending on your hair length and texture, there are different ways to style this look. Here are the basics:

1. Start by curling your hair if it isn’t already curled. This will make it much easier to roll and pin. I like to run a light layer of pomade through to smooth curls and add shine.
2. Brush a small section of hair from the side of your head up and arrange so the curls fall loosely over your forehead. Pin into place just behind where the curly ends begin.
3. Continue this process, arranging in a way you like, until the entire front section as been pinned. You can pin down the curly ends if they seem unruly.
4. For the back, divide the hair into two to three sections. Brush one section up at a time, so the bottom portion is smooth. Pin into place with bobby pins or secure with a hair comb, at the point where the curly loose ends begin. Arrange the curly ends into place behind the front curls; pin into place as needed. Repeat with the remaining back sections.

“Cat Ears” Scarf Style

Wearing scarves in your hair was all the rage in the 1940s, and this is one of the more creative styles to come out of the time period. Two oblong scarves are tied together, then rolled up and tucked, resulting in a look that resembles cat ears. I tried this look out for Halloween one year rather than wear an ears headband, but it can work for all seasons with different colors of scarves. Get the cat ears scarf style tutorial here.

Braided Pigtails

This is a super cute and quick hairstyle that was inspired by this photo of Rita Hayworth in the 1940s. Start with a side part. Twist the front sections away from your face and pin into place, with the pins above your ears. Braid pigtails and secure with hair elastics. Tie ribbons into bows over the elastics. I wore this look during the holidays so I used home decorating bows to add a festive touch to my look.

1930s Rolled Pigtails

Before Princess Leia and her famous cinnamon roll hair, there was this 1930s hairstyle. Here’s how to get the look:

1. Create a center part. It helps to curl the ends of your hair for this style, but isn’t necessary.
2. Make pigtails on the sides of your head, close to your ears.
3. Take one section of a pigtail and roll up to your scalp, pinning into place with bobby pins.
4. Repeat until all of the hair from the pigtail has been rolled and pinned. You can place some rolls higher or lower than others; arrange it in a way you find flattering to your face shape.
5. Repeat with the other pigtail. Add a bow barrette to one side.

Faux Bob with a Turban Hat

This is more of a way to hide your hair than style it, but I think it still counts. To get this 1920s hairstyle, create a low bun at the back of your head, keeping the front sections of hair loose. Gently tug the front sections of hair forward so they cover your ears and fall to just above your chin. Top with a turban scarf or hat. This easy style is a perfect match for a 1920s makeup look.

Old Hollywood Scarf Hairstyle

If you’ve got little to no time to style your hair, a large scarf is your best friend. Here’s how to create this vintage hair scarf style:

1. Put your hair up into a simple updo.
2. Bring one corner of a large square scarf to the opposite corner.
3. Place the scarf on top of your head with the long, folded end near your forehead.
4. Bring the pointed ends under your chin and cross, bringing them to the back of your neck.
5. Tie the ends twice behind your head. If needed, pin the sides of the scarf to your head with bobby pins.

Shop Old Hollywood hair must-haves:

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