Line #32 Main/ExpositoryHairstyles


1	[[quoteright:349:[[Series/OnceUponATime https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ouat_anna_hair_down.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:349:Despite her FairytaleWeddingDress, these BraidsOfAction lets us know that Anna of ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen\|2013}}'' is not a PrincessClassic.]]
3
4	Generally, the most important things an author wants to communicate to an audience are the things that are difficult to instantly demonstrate, such as a character's role in the story, personality, moral character, or whether the author wants the audience to sympathize with them.
5
6	Often as a visual shorthand, the writer uses the character's appearance to symbolize those characteristics. In animation, a common practice is to use HairColors, or the color and [[TaremeEyes shape]] of the [[TsurimeEyes eyes]]. However, another technique that has several useful advantages is the style and length of a character's {{hair\| tropes}}. For one thing, it's relatively easy to implement in LiveActionTV as well as animation. It's also convenient for characters who undergo lots of character development as you can give them an ExpositoryHairstyleChange or ImportantHaircut.
7
8	Note: while HairTropes are all tropes that have to do with hair, this is specifically a supertrope of cases where hairstyle is used to represent a character's personality, not simply to look interesting or help you tell the characters apart.
9
10	Compare ClothingReflectsPersonality and StockCostumeTraits, where a character's costume indicates profession & status.
11	----
12	!!A SuperTrope to:
13	[[index]]
14	[[AC:Female]]
15	* BoyishShortHair: Short, unkempt, or spiky hair, often used to indicate a {{Tomboy}} and an ActionGirl.
16	* BraidsOfAction: A single long braid or a pair of braids, used to indicate an ActionGirl.
17	* ChildishBangs: Straight bangs across the forehead with the rest of the hair left long, used to indicate physical or mental immaturity.
18	* GirlishPigtails: Hair tied into side tails that stick out the sides indicate youthfulness or immaturity.
19	* HairyGirl: A girl with more body hair than considered normal, indicating unattractiveness and/or unkemptness.
20	* HimeCut: Long straight hair with full bangs and shorter sidelocks, used to indicate an {{Ojou}} and a YamatoNadeshiko.
21	* LongHairIsFeminine: Long hair used to establish the femininity of a female character.
22	* MotherlySidePlait: A loose braid or ponytail resting on the shoulder to indicate motherhood with a sweet character.
23	* OjouRinglets: Side curls on female characters often indicate royalty or being of (or formerly of) high status.
24	* PowerHair: Short hair reaching the jawline, parted in front and coiffed expertly so it never crosses in front of the face, used to indicate an IronLady.
25	* PrimAndProperBun: Hair tied in a single bun at the back, indicating a neat, prim, proper, and organized woman of authority, who is typically conservative and tight-laced.
26	* RegalRinglets: Corkscrew curls as a sign of a character being upper class.
27	* TomboyishPonytail: Wearing a ponytail not intended for elegance indicates a {{Tomboy}} or TheLadette.
28
29	[[AC:Male]]
30	* BaldOfEvil: Bad guys are often completely bald.
31	* BarbarianLonghair: Long, unkempt hair as a symbol of wildness or badassery.
32	* BraidsOfBarbarism: HornyVikings and other barbarians.
33	* DreadlockWarrior: Dreadlocks are preferred by tough fighters.
34	* LongHairedPrettyBoy: Long hair used to emphasize the character's status as a PrettyBoy.
35	* SailorsPonytail: Sailors wear their longish, often unkempt hair in a low ponytail.
36
37	[[AC:Unisex]]
38	* BaldHeadOfToughness: Baldness (or a shaved head) is used as a visual short hand for physical and mental toughness.
39	* BaldMystic: A bald person is mystical or enlightened.
40	* BaldOfAuthority: A bald person is associated with authority and occupies a position of authority.
41	* DelinquentHair: Unnatural hair color or styles used in a more realistic setting to denote a {{delinquent}} or punk.
42	* DevilishHairHorns: A hairstyle that looks like horns is usually a sign that the character is up to no good.
43	* ExpositoryHairstyleChange: Hairstyle change signals a characterization change.
44	* FlashyProtagonistsBlandExtras: Protagonists have more eye-catching hair colors and hairstyles than background extras.
45	* GoodHairEvilHair: When this supertrope is used specifically to distinguish heroes and villains.
46	* HairAntennae: Two locks of hair that stick out above the head, resembling an insect's antenna, used to indicate TheDitz.
47	* HidingBehindYourBangs: Hair covering one eye, used to indicate a character who is either shy, antisocial, or hiding something.
48	* HotbloodedSideburns: Sideburns that look like a flame indicate a HotBlooded character. On a girl, they usually indicate tomboyishness.
49	* IdiotHair: A single lock of hair that sticks straight up, indicating a foolish, naive, or mischievous individual.
50	* MessyHair: The go-to style for eccentrics or those who don't care about their looks.
51	* NonconformistDyedHair: Unnatural hair color used to indicate an alternative or rebellious character.
52	* OminousHairLoss: Loss of hair is a sign of poor health...
53	* PowerDyesYourHair: A unusual hair color directly caused by some type of power.
54	* PrematurelyGreyHaired: Grey hair on a person too young to have it naturally indicates severe trauma in their past.
55	* QuirkyCurls: Characters with completely curly hair (not just RegalRinglets) tend to be energetic, quirky, rebellious and/or eccentric.
56	* SamuraiPonytail: This character is nobility, whether they act like it or not, and probably a badass.
57	* SpikyHair: A combination of wild, cool, and Badass.
58	* SultryBangs: A character's covering one of their eyes emphasizes their sensuality and confidence.
59	* VillainousWidowsPeak: A distinct point in the hairline in the center of the forehead indicates a villain.
60	* WildHair: Shaggy, unkempt, long hair, used to symbolize that a character is close to nature.
61	[[/index]]

Context Main / ExpositoryHairstyles