I played music professionally for about 30 years, and never had long hair. Most folks said I looked like a cross between an English teacher, and a Narc!! <LOL!!> However, when we first became serious about the Living History hobby, I decided it would be good for me to grow my hair, to better fit into the persona I was trying to establish. In almost all of the years since I first needed to used one, I've never found a proper hair tie/ribbon that would look right, and stay in my hair!! My hair is very fine, and just doesn't "grab" onto any of the ties/ribbons I'd tried. So, for many years, I hid a plastic bungie at the end of my braid, and tied a silk ribbon over it, hoping to hide it.
Fast forward to the Fort DeChartres Spring Event and Rifle Frolic a few months ago. Ty Davis and I were discussing myriad topics our little ALRA camp, when I mentioned this problem to him. He immediately went to his pack, and returned with a length of worsted wool ribbon/binding, which he was sure would offer the "bite" needed to stay put in fine hair, rather than slip off. I think he said that Captain Titus, at Martin's Station, had recommended that to him, and that it worked perfectly for him. And, so, I gave it a try, and WOW, what a difference!! I immediately went over to a Sutler at that event, and bought several widths of worsted wool binding, which continues to work perfectly, all without having to resort to modern things underneath it!! At a recent event out this way, I even slept with the wool in my hair, the next morning it was still right where I'd tied it the morning before!!
Many thanks to Captain Ty, and back to Captain Titus, for having passed along this outstanding suggestion for holding long hair in place, without the problems of slipping that other ribbons have!!! I am VERY pleased to leave yet one more modern anachronism at home, and confidently use this great binding in it's proper place!! Ahhh, the little things that bring pleasure and happiness.....!!
Thought I would pass this suggestion along, to any others that, like me, have been fighting and losing the hair ribbon wars in our hobby!! Thanks, again, Ty! Take care, and God Bless!Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark
ALRA #224
CA LT
