Lovelock: A single long braid worn over the left shoulder by 17th-century Europeans.

The lovelock was a fashionable hairstyle for European men in the late 16th and 17th centuries. It featured one long, often plaited lock of hair resting on the left shoulder to symbolise devotion. The style sparked moral outrage among Puritan ministers who viewed it as an imitation of Native American customs or a sign of vanity.

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Worn over the left shoulder to symbolise devotion to a loved one.
Condemned by Puritans as a demonic imitation of Native Americans.
Popularised by kings such as James I and Christian IV of Denmark.
Known as cadenette when worn in French courts.
Often featured a pearl or ornament suspended from the end.

What it is

A lovelock consists of a single, long strand of hair that is grown out while the rest of the head is kept shorter or styled differently. This lock is often plaited into a braid and allowed to hang over the left shoulder, positioned near the heart. It was primarily worn by fashionable men in Europe during the late 1500s and 1600s, though some women at court also adopted the look. The style served as a visible token of affection or devotion to a specific person.

Where it comes from

The fashion emerged in the mid-1500s and remained popular through the 17th century. Many contemporaries believed English men copied the asymmetrical haircut of the Powhatan people in North America. Sir Francis Drake reportedly brought colonists back from Roanoke in 1586, introducing the style to England. In France, it was known as a cadenette. Royal figures such as Christian IV of Denmark and James I of England wore them, helping to spread the trend across European courts. Charles I famously wore one adorned with a pearl.

What it means

Wearers intended the lock to show devotion to a loved one, placing it on the left side to align with the heart. However, religious leaders viewed it negatively. Puritan ministers in England and New England condemned the style as demonic and effeminate. They argued it was an unlawful imitation of Native Americans, whom they associated with devil worship. Critics like William Prynne called it a cord of vanity that gave the Devil holdfast over the wearer. The backlash was moral and religious rather than racial, reflecting early modern views on gender and piety.

How it is made

To create this style, one section of hair is left uncut while the surrounding hair may be trimmed. The long section is then often braided or plaited to keep it neat. It is draped over the left shoulder. Some wearers added ornaments, such as pearls, to the end of the braid. Maintenance involved keeping the single lock distinct from the rest of the haircut and ensuring the braid remained tight and presentable.

A drawing made by EveryHairstyle from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real hairstyle.

Who and what it suits

The style requires hair that can grow long enough to reach the shoulder. It suits those willing to maintain a distinct, asymmetrical look. While historically worn by men, it does not depend on a specific face shape. The texture of the hair is less important than the ability to braid or manage the single long strand. It was adopted by courtiers and nobles who had the time and resources for such grooming.

Versions

In France, the same style was called a cadenette. Some variations included adding jewels or pearls to the end of the lock, as seen in portraits of Charles I. Christian IV of Denmark may have worn his due to a medical condition called plica polonica, which others then copied as a fashion statement. The style also appeared among women at the court of Charles I, blending gender norms of the era.

Sir Thomas Meautyswas was private secretary to Francis Bacon. He was also an English civil servant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1640. In this picture his long lovelock is clearly visibl — Sir Thomas Meautyswas was private secretary to Francis Bacon. He was also an English civil servant and politician who sa. Photo: James Robinson Planché, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Lovelock

Why was the lovelock worn on the left side?

The lock was placed over the left shoulder because it was considered the heart side. This positioning was meant to show devotion and affection to a loved one, serving as a physical token of emotional attachment.

Did Puritans object to the lovelock for racial reasons?

No, their objections were primarily religious and moral. They viewed the style as an imitation of Native Americans, whom they associated with devil worship, and considered long hair on men to be effeminate and unlawful for Christians.

Who made the lovelock famous in Europe?

Royal figures helped popularise the style. Christian IV of Denmark wore one, possibly due to a medical condition, and his courtiers copied him. James I of England and his son Charles I also wore lovelocks, making it a high-fashion trend.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lovelock (hair)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryHairstyle rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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