Here are some historical examples of hairstyles being regulated by law ¹ ²:

- In the 1700s, free Creole women of color in New Orleans were forced to wear a tignon (scarf or handkerchief) over their hair to signify that they were members of the slave class.
- In 1637, the authorities of the city of Basel prohibited its male inhabitants from wearing long hair.
- In 1584, a French noblewoman named Charlotte Duplessis-Mornay was excommunicated from her church after she refused to change her hairstyle, which was deemed too curly.

Throughout history, hairstyles have been regulated by law as a means of social control, cultural expression, and adherence to religious or political ideologies. Here are some historical examples of hairstyles being regulated by law:

1. **Sumptuary Laws**: Sumptuary laws were enacted in various societies to regulate clothing and personal adornment, including hairstyles, based on social class, rank, or occupation. These laws dictated what types of hairstyles individuals were allowed to wear based on their social status, with penalties imposed on those who violated the regulations. For example, during the Elizabethan era in England, sumptuary laws prescribed specific hairstyles and head coverings for different social classes, restricting extravagant or ostentatious styles to the nobility.

2. **Religious Edicts**: Religious authorities have often regulated hairstyles as part of religious observance and adherence to religious principles. For example, in some Islamic societies, regulations govern the length and style of men's beards and women's head coverings, with specific guidelines prescribed by religious texts and interpreted by religious leaders. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in social ostracism or legal penalties.

3. **Racial Segregation Laws**: In societies characterized by racial segregation and discrimination, laws were enacted to enforce racial hierarchies and maintain social order. These laws often extended to regulating hairstyles, particularly among marginalized racial or ethnic groups. For example, during the era of Jim Crow segregation in the United States, laws and social norms dictated that African Americans conform to Eurocentric beauty standards by straightening their hair or wearing conservative hairstyles that mimicked white hairstyles.

4. **Colonial Regulations**: Colonial powers imposed regulations on indigenous hairstyles as part of their efforts to assert control over colonized populations and enforce cultural assimilation. Indigenous hairstyles were often stigmatized as primitive or uncivilized, and colonial authorities sought to suppress traditional grooming practices as a means of erasing cultural identity and imposing European standards of appearance. For example, during the colonial period in Africa, indigenous hairstyles were often banned or discouraged in favor of European hairstyles deemed more "civilized" or acceptable.

5. **Military Regulations**: Military institutions have historically regulated hairstyles as part of uniform standards and discipline. Regulations govern the length, style, and grooming of hair for military personnel, with specific guidelines prescribed to ensure uniformity and professionalism. Violations of these regulations can result in disciplinary action or discharge from service.

Overall, hairstyles have been regulated by law for various reasons throughout history, including social status, religious observance, racial segregation, colonial control, and military discipline. These regulations reflect broader societal norms, power dynamics, and cultural ideologies, shaping how individuals express themselves through their hair and adhere to prevailing standards of appearance and behavior.