Pompadours

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A hairstyling method known for its prominent volume at the front and sleek, backward flow, typically linked to both vintage and contemporary aesthetics
2. A coiffure characterized by its exaggerated height and fullness at the front, commonly appealing to various fashion eras and personal styles
3. A style where hair is combed upwards and backwards creating a raised front section that tapers smoothly to the back

Etymology: Pompadours is simply the plural of "pompadour," so the history belongs to the singular. The hairstyle takes its name from Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (1721–1764), the mistress of King Louis XV of France. The name came from her title, which was taken from the Château de Pompadour in the Limousin region of central France, and the style reportedly suited her. In the 1740s and 1750s, she was painted and admired in high, full hairdos, and the fashion carried her title with it. The word entered English in the 18th century as a term for this style. The modern revival came in the 1950s, when Elvis Presley and other rock-and-roll performers wore the hair swept high and back, and the style was renamed in some quarters the "pompadour" again, a sense that has persisted in barbering.

Synonyms: hairstyles, coiffures