20 Old Money Hairstyles for Women — Timeless, Elegant Looks

As a hairstylist with over a decade behind the chair, I’ve curated 20 classic “old money” hairstyles for women that embody understated luxury and effortless polish. These looks — think low chignons, sleek bobs, soft waves, and refined ponytails — suit a wide range of hair types and ages. Clients who favor timeless elegance, minimal fuss, and refined silhouettes will find these styles perfect for work, social events, or everyday chic. In the salon I tailor each variation to your face shape, hair density, and lifestyle: fine hair benefits from lightweight volumizing products and strategic layering, while thicker hair looks stunning smoothed into glossy buns or long, sculpted waves. Styling tips: always start with a heat protectant, use a medium-hold product for structure without stiffness, and finish with a flexible shine spray for polished movement. Below I showcase 20 images and step-by-step notes to help you achieve these looks at home or with your stylist.

Vintage Finger Waves & Pin‑Curl Bob | Short Retro Wavy Hairstyle

Classic short finger waves with sculpted pin‑curl sides create a polished 1940s‑inspired bob. Suitable for short to mid‑length hair and best on fine to medium textures that take a set easily; thick hair benefits from soft layering or thinning at the nape, while very curly hair should be blow‑dried straight or smoothed before setting. Technique: work on damp, detangled hair—apply a setting lotion or mousse, create defined S‑shaped finger waves at the front with a fine‑tooth comb and clips (or use a Marcel/1 curling iron for a heat set), then form and pin tight barrel curls on the sides until fully cooled. Tools: rattail comb, fine‑tooth comb, Marcel or 1 curling iron, duckbill clips, sectioning clips and a boar‑bristle brush. Products: setting lotion or mousse, lightweight heat protectant, medium‑to‑strong hold gel for molding, shine serum and a firm hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — precise partings and clip placement take practice; book a salon shaping on first attempt. Maintenance: sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh with a light mist of water and re‑pin curls, avoid over‑brushing to preserve definition, and trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the silhouette.

Vintage Rolled Low Updo — Voluminous Chignon for Medium to Thick Hair

From salon experience, this polished vintage rolled low updo works best on medium to long hair with medium-to-high density; fine hair will benefit from padding or clip-in extensions for the same fullness. Technique: work with dry, detangled hair — section the crown, gently backcomb the roots for lift, smooth the top with a fine-tooth comb, then form large twisted rolls or loops along the nape and pin each into a low chignon, concealing ends and creating symmetrical volume. Tools needed: paddle brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, large-barrel curling iron (to add bend), bobby pins and long U-pins, hair net (optional) and a rat tail comb for precision. Products required: light volumizing mousse or root-lift, heat protectant, smoothing cream or serum, texturizing spray for grip, and a strong-hold hairspray to finish. Difficulty: intermediate–advanced — recommended for experienced stylists or those comfortable with pinning and shaping; expect 30–60 minutes. Maintenance tips: prep with second-day hair or dry shampoo for hold, carry spare pins and a travel hairspray to tame flyaways, sleep on a silk scarf, and avoid humidity to preserve structure.

Textured Braided Vintage Updo with Sculpted Corkscrew Curls

This romantic, textured braided updo is best suited to medium-to-thick hair and natural waves or curls; fine hair can achieve the same look with volumizing products or a lightweight padding base. Start by prepping damp hair with a light mousse and heat protectant, then rough-dry while lifting at the roots. Create one or two loose French or Dutch braids toward the nape, gently pancake the braid for width, and pin into a low chignon using U-pins and long bobby pins to secure the weight. Sculpt small face-framing corkscrew curls with a ¾–1/2 inch curling iron or wand on moderate heat, cool them fully before releasing to lock the shape. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, small-barrel curling iron, assorted bobby/U-pins, hair elastics. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, light-hold mousse, smoothing cream for flyaways, medium-hold hairspray and a touch of shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — expect 45–75 minutes depending on hair length and thickness. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap in a scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and light mist of hairspray, and touch up any relaxed curls with the curling iron as needed.

Vintage Sculpted Wave with Low Chignon — Retro Updo for Medium to Thick Hair

A polished vintage sculpted wave that flows into a low textured chignon, perfect for formal occasions. Suitability: Best on straight to wavy hair in medium to thick densities; fine hair works with lightweight padding or clip‑in pieces for volume. Styling technique: create a deep side part, apply setting lotion, then form a sculpted finger wave or defined S‑wave across the front using a fine-tooth comb and clips (or a Marcel iron for stronger ridges). Gather the remainder into a low pony, twist into a loose bun, tuck and pin sections to create a soft, textured chignon. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, medium (1”) curling/Marcel iron, bobby pins, U‑pins, setting clips, optional hair net and donut. Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or volumizing mousse, light pomade or gel for wave definition, strong-hold hairspray, and a finishing shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practice shaping waves and discreet pin placement (allow 40–60 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh with a light spray and finger reshape, tighten hidden pins as needed and dry‑shampoo roots on day two.

Vintage Pin‑Curl Updo with Rolled Bangs

Suitable for medium to thick hair and shoulder‑length to long cuts (fine hair works with padding or extra setting lotion), this retro pin‑curl updo creates structured, soft rolls and a sculpted rolled bang. Start with clean, slightly damp hair and apply a light setting lotion or mousse and heat protectant. Section hair into 1–2 inch panels, create pin curls or use small hot rollers/curling iron to form S‑shaped waves, then roll and pin each curl toward the scalp with U‑pins or bobby pins. Shape the front into a barrel roll for the rolled bang and smooth with a fine‑tooth tail comb. Tools: tail comb, round brush, small hot rollers or 1″ curling iron, bobby pins/U‑pins, sectioning clips, hair dryer. Products: setting lotion or mousse, medium‑hold hairspray, light pomade or shine serum, heat protectant. Difficulty: moderate — technique and patience required; allow 45–75 minutes depending on length/density. Maintenance: sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh with dry shampoo and re‑pin any loosened curls, avoid humidity, and spot‑touch with a curling iron and a light mist of hairspray for longevity.

Victorian-Inspired High-Volume Updo with Pouf and Stacked Rolls

This elegant, high-volume updo is best suited to long, medium-to-thick hair; fine hair will also work with padding or a hair rat for structure. Begin by prepping with a volumizing mousse and root-lift spray on towel-dried hair, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift. Section the crown and create a smooth pouf by backcombing the underside of the top section and smoothing over with a fine-tooth comb. Use long sections to twist and roll hair into stacked rolls down the back, securing each roll with strong bobby pins inserted horizontally and cross-pinned for hold. Tools needed: tail comb, teasing brush, sectioning clips, bobby pins (various lengths), padding/donut or hair rat, and a fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, texturizing powder for grip, strong-hold hairspray, and a lightweight shine serum for surface smoothness. Difficulty: Advanced — expect 45–60 minutes in-salon. Maintenance tips: sleep with a silk scarf or light hair net, touch up stray hairs with a small comb and spot-spray, avoid humidity, and refresh volume using dry shampoo and light root lift between appointments.

Textured Silver Short Updo — Voluminous Tousled Waves for Grey Hair

A modern, textured short updo that highlights silver or grey tones with soft, voluminous waves pinned back for a lived-in, elegant finish. Hair type suitability: best for fine to medium straight or slightly wavy hair; can be adapted for thicker hair by reducing backcombing and using larger sections. Styling technique: work on towel-dried hair, apply root volumizer and heat protectant, blow-dry with a round brush for lift at the crown. Create loose waves with a 1 curling wand or hot rollers, finger-comb to break them up, lightly backcomb at the crown for structure, then twist and pin sections toward the back using hidden bobby pins to form the updo. Tools needed: blow-dryer with nozzle, round brush, 1 curling wand or rollers, tail comb, sectioning clips, bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, root-lifting mousse or spray, texturizing spray or light pomade, flexible-hold hairspray, occasional shine serum. Difficulty level: intermediate — achievable at home with practice or quick in-salon. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, refresh with dry shampoo and texturizer between washes, use purple shampoo monthly to preserve silver tones, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.

Voluminous Textured Romantic Updo for Curly or Wavy Hair

Suitability: Best for medium to thick wavy or curly hair; fine hair can be amplified with lightweight padding or clip-in extensions. Styling technique: Start on towel-dried, prepped hair—apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse. Blow-dry with a round brush or diffuse to keep natural texture, then create loose 1–1.25 curls with a curling iron or wand. Roughen curls with a texturizing or sea-salt spray, backcomb at the crown for lift, and loosely gather sections into a mid-to-low bun. Twist and pin each section with bobby and U-pins, leaving soft face-framing tendrils and a few escaped curls for a romantic finish. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or wand, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing brush, bobby pins, U-pins, elastic. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, texturizing/salt spray, dry shampoo for grip, flexible-hold hairspray, small amount of lightweight shine serum. Difficulty level: Moderate—salon-quality result in 25–40 minutes with basic pinning skills. Maintenance tips: Refresh with dry shampoo and re-pin loose pieces; re-curl tendrils as needed; sleep on silk or loosely wrap to preserve shape; trim ends every 8–12 weeks.

Vintage Voluminous Curled Updo with Pompadour and Cascading Ringlets

This structured vintage-inspired updo combines a soft pompadour at the crown with defined cascading ringlets down the back. It suits medium to thick long hair best; fine hair will benefit from padding or light extensions for body. For texture and hold, start on clean, towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse or setting lotion. Section the top and back; blow-dry the crown with a round brush to create lift, then backcomb the root area lightly to shape the pompadour. Use a 1–1.25 curling iron to form medium-sized ringlets, pinning each curl into a looped cluster and allowing them to cool before releasing. Secure with long hairpins and discreet bobby pins, molding the front into a smooth roll. Tools: curling iron, round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, teasing comb, hairpins, and blow dryer. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or setting lotion, light-hold hairspray and a touch of shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate–advanced; expect 45–75 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on silk or wrap, refresh with light spraying and finger shaping, avoid humidity, and use dry shampoo between washes to preserve volume.

Voluminous Vintage Bouffant Updo with Sculpted Pin Curls

This structured, high-volume bouffant with sculpted pin curls works best on medium to thick hair and on naturally wavy or straight hair with some texture. Fine hair can achieve the same look with clip-in padding or lightweight extensions for body. Technique: start with a volumizing wash, apply root-lift spray and heat protectant, then set large sections in hot rollers or with a large-barrel curling iron. Backcomb the crown gently for lift, shape the curls into soft sculpted waves and secure each curl with long hairpins, smoothing the surface with a natural-bristle brush to maintain polish. Tools needed: large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, teasing brush, natural-bristle brush, sectioning clips, long U-pins and bobby pins, paddle brush, blow dryer. Products required: volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, heat protectant, medium-hold setting spray, strong-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum and texturizing powder for grip. Difficulty: advanced — salon-level finish, 45–90 minutes depending on hair length. Maintenance tips: sleep on a satin scarf or pillow, refresh with dry shampoo and light re-spray, re-secure any loose pins, and avoid humidity; for long-lasting shape, schedule a professional reset after 2–3 days.

Vintage Voluminous Pin-Curl Updo — Romantic Textured Formal Hairstyle

This elevated pin-curl updo suits medium to thick hair and naturally wavy or curly textures best; fine hair will also work with padding or light extensions for added body. Technique: section hair and set defined pin curls (or use a 1-inch curling iron/hot rollers), allow curls to cool and set, then gently brush and sculpt into a low-to-mid updo, securing individual curls with cross-pinned bobby pins to build volume at the crown and a soft swoop at the hairline. Tools needed: 1 curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, round brush, assorted bobby pins and duckbill clips, clips for sectioning, and a blow dryer with diffuser if enhancing natural wave. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root-lift spray on damp hair, light setting lotion for pin curls, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, and a small amount of shine serum or pomade for flyaways. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 45–75 minutes in-salon. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loosely wrap with a silk scarf, refresh shape with a few re-pinned curls and a mist of hairspray, avoid over-brushing, and schedule trims every 8–10 weeks to maintain clean ends.

Vintage Finger-Wave Updo with Rolled Bangs

This classic finger-wave updo with soft rolled bangs suits medium to thick hair best and can be adapted for fine hair with texturizing and padding. Start on freshly washed, slightly damp hair: apply a light setting lotion or mousse and create a deep side part. Use a tail comb to sculpt finger waves across the front, securing with duckbill clips while they set. Create loose barrel curls with a 1″ curling iron or hot rollers, then pin curls into a low side chignon, shaping and tucking ends to form polished rolls. Finish the bangs by rolling and pinning them into a soft crescent. Tools: tail/rat-tail comb, sections clips, duckbill clips, 1″ curling iron or hot rollers, bobby pins, and a fine-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, light setting lotion or mousse, medium-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum or pomade for definition. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–60 minutes depending on length. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a silk scarf, refresh shape with light mist of hairspray and re-pin any loose pieces, and avoid humidity or heavy brushing to preserve the waves.

Sculpted Vintage Pin‑Curl Updo — Polished Rolls for Fine to Medium Hair

This sculpted pin‑curl updo is best suited to fine to medium straight hair or long hair with a smooth texture; very curly or heavily textured hair will need a blowout or smoothing treatment first and bleached hair should be treated gently. Technique: start with clean, dry hair sprayed with heat protectant and light setting lotion. Create defined barrel curls using a large Marcel iron or heated rollers, shape each curl into a flat, sculpted roll and secure close to the head with bobby pins or duckbill clips so the rolls nest neatly. Smooth and sculpt sections with a tail comb for that polished, vintage finish. Tools: Marcel or 1.25–1.5 in curling iron, large hot rollers (optional), tail comb, sectioning clips, strong bobby pins/duckbill clips. Products: heat protectant, light setting lotion or mousse, smoothing serum for flyaways, a medium‑to‑strong hold hairspray and a shine spray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires precision and patience; allow 45–90 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or wrap with a silk scarf, refresh shape with a quick reheated iron on loose sections, use lightweight sprays to avoid weighing curls down, and deep‑condition regularly if hair is colored.

Low Twisted Chignon with Scarf Wrap — Vintage-Inspired Updo for Medium Hair

This polished low twisted chignon with a silk scarf wrap suits straight to wavy hair of medium density; fine hair benefits from light backcombing or a small padding donut, while thick or very curly hair should be smoothed and loosely relaxed into waves first. Start on towel-dried hair with heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow-dry for smoothness. Create soft waves with a 1–1.25 curling iron for texture, lightly tease the crown, and gather hair at the nape. Twist sections into a low chignon, pinning each twist with crosswise bobby pins for security. Wrap a narrow silk scarf around the base and knot or tuck ends under the bun; use a few small pins through the scarf into the hair to anchor it invisibly. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, curling iron, hair elastics, bobby pins, optional padding. Products: heat protectant, texturizing or sea-salt spray, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum. Difficulty: moderate (20–35 minutes). Maintenance: refresh with dry shampoo, retighten pins as needed, sleep on a silk pillowcase or re-tie the scarf to preserve shape.

Rococo Rolled-Curl Updo — Pin Curls for Textured or Thick Hair

Suitability: Best on medium to thick textures, naturally curly or wavy hair, or straight hair pre-textured with a curling iron. Fine hair can work with volumizing prep and padding. Technique: Work on clean, slightly damp hair. Section into uniform small to medium panels, apply setting lotion or mousse, then wrap each section around a roller or prop (this look used rolled props for a sculptural effect). Secure each roll with bobby pins or clips, allow to set with a hood dryer or gentle heat from a hooded dryer/low-heat blow dryer, or air-dry overnight for longevity. Once dry, carefully release and shape rolls into a structured updo, backcombing where extra lift is needed and pinning each curl into the desired pattern. Tools: tail comb, sectioning clips, small rollers or foam rods, strong bobby pins, rat tail comb, and a hood dryer or curling iron for touch-ups. Products: heat protectant, setting lotion or mousse, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, lightweight finishing oil or serum. Difficulty: Medium–High — precision and patience required for tight, uniform rolls. Maintenance: sleep on a silk/satin scarf, refresh curls with a quick steam or low-heat touch-up, and use dry shampoo at the roots to extend wear. For safety and longevity, use prop currency or paper instead of real legal tender.

High-Volume Vintage Pompadour Updo with Sculpted Ringlet Loops

In-salon classic high-volume pompadour updo inspired by 18th-century styles. Suitable for medium to thick, straight or slightly wavy hair from shoulder-length to long; fine hair benefits from padding or clip-in extensions to achieve the height. Start on clean, towel-dried hair with volumizing mousse and heat protectant. Section the crown and backcomb the roots to create a stable pouf, inserting a hair pad or bumpit if extra structure is needed. Use a 1–1.25 curling iron or hot rollers to form large barrel curls; shape each curl into looped ringlets and pin them flat against the head with long, strong hairpins and U-pins, concealing pins by wrapping hair around them. Smooth the top layer with a wide-tooth comb and light pomade or smoothing cream to avoid frizz. Finish with a firm-hold hairspray and a light shine mist. Tools: teasing brush, rat-tail comb, sectioning clips, curling iron/hot rollers, padding, strong pins. Difficulty: advanced — allow 60–90 minutes and practice for symmetry. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase, refresh volume with dry shampoo and reposition pins as needed; avoid high humidity and mist with hairspray before events.

Vintage Rolled Curls Updo — Retro Finger-Wave Inspired Formal Style

This polished rolled-curl updo suits medium to thick hair and straight to loose-wave textures best; fine hair can work with a volumizing prep and root padding, while tight curls should be relaxed or blow-dried smooth first. Technique: section the hair into front roll sections and back panels, set the front into pin curls or small barrel curls, roll each curl under and secure with bobby pins to create defined, sculpted rolls. Smooth and sculpt the sides into a low twisted bun or pinned roll at the nape for a balanced silhouette. Tools needed: tail comb, sectioning clips, medium-barrel curling iron or heated rollers, fine-tooth comb, bobby pins, and a blow dryer (if prepping). Products required: heat protectant, setting lotion or mousse, medium-hold hairspray, lightweight shine serum, and optional volumizing powder for root lift. Difficulty: moderate to advanced — expect 45–75 minutes depending on hair length. Maintenance tips: allow pins to cool fully before release, refresh shape with a light mist of water/setting spray and re-pin any loose areas, sleep with a silk scarf or pillowcase to preserve the rolls, and avoid heavy brushing to keep the sculpted look intact.

Vintage Voluminous Rolled Updo with Soft Fringe

This vintage-inspired voluminous rolled updo with soft fringe suits medium-to-long hair and works best on medium to thick densities. Fine hair will benefit from lightweight padding or clip-in extensions for body; naturally curly hair can be smoothed slightly or styled in defined sections to preserve texture. Technique: blow-dry with a round brush and root-lifting mousse, section the hair into crown, side and back panels, backcomb the crown for lift, then create smooth horizontal rolls or loops and secure each with long bobby pins. Leave and style a soft fringe or face-framing pieces to balance the look. Tools needed: blow dryer, 1

Elegant Braided Chignon Updo with Pancaked Dutch Braid — Bridal/Formal Style

This polished braided chignon pairs a pancaked Dutch (or pull-through) braid with a low rolled bun for a structured, romantic finish. Best suited to medium-to-long hair and works well on fine hair when light extensions or padding are used; naturally thick or textured hair will hold volume easily. Technique: smooth the crown and create a deep side part, carve out and Dutch-braid (or pull-through braid) down the side, gently pancake the braid for width, then roll and pin the remaining lengths into a low chignon, concealing ends and securing shape with hairpins. Tools: tail comb, paddle brush, sectioning clips, small clear elastics, assorted bobby pins/hairpins, and a fine-tooth teasing brush. Helpful extras: curling iron or flat iron for prep shaping. Products: lightweight mousse or root-lift, smoothing serum, texturizing spray for grip, medium-to-strong hold hairspray, and shine spray for finish. Difficulty: Advanced — salon-level precision recommended; allow 45–60 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow, refresh with dry shampoo and mist hairspray, re-secure any loose pins, and avoid humidity or heavy touching to preserve the style.

Vintage Voluminous Rolled Updo — Soft Romantic Formal Updo

A polished, vintage-inspired voluminous rolled updo ideal for weddings and formal events. Best suited to shoulder-length to long hair with medium-to-thick density; fine hair will benefit from root-lifting products or light clip-in extensions, while very curly hair should be smoothed with a blowout before styling. Technique: blow-dry with a round brush for body, set 1 barrel curls or hot rollers, lightly backcomb the crown for lift, then shape and pin hair into soft rolls toward the nape, securing each section with long bobby pins and duckbill clips to set the shape. Tools needed: blow dryer, 1 curling iron or hot rollers, round/paddle brush, teasing/rat-tail comb, duckbill clips, long and small bobby pins. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, texturizing spray, medium-hold hairspray and a light shine serum. Difficulty level: intermediate — best achieved by a stylist or with practice for clean, balanced rolls. Maintenance tips: sleep with a silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist of hairspray, re-tighten pins if needed, and avoid heavy oils that flatten the volume.

Whether you’re aiming to channel heritage-inspired sophistication or simply want a more refined everyday look, these old money hairstyles are versatile and attainable. My top professional tips: schedule regular trims to maintain clean lines; use a weekly deep-conditioning mask to keep strands resilient and glossy; and always apply a heat protectant before styling. For best results at home, practice a soft low bun, a precise side part, and finger-combed waves—small technique tweaks make a big difference in achieving that lived-in, elegant finish. If you color your hair, opt for natural, low-contrast tones that age gracefully and reduce frequent touch-ups. Book a consultation so I can tailor a cut and maintenance plan to your hair density and face shape; often a subtle change in parting or a few discreet layers gives the entire “old money” effect without drastic length loss. Invest in care, master a few go-to techniques, and these classics will carry you through every season.