How real is the "social status" shown in photos from the 19th century

[Redroger]

When my son was a biology student in the late 1980s they were advised by their lecturer to stop washing their hair, and preferably stop washing to see what the effects were. Many of them did so, strangely with no ill effects. Even today it is obvious in crowds that many people never bother. Some of us, myself included would welcome the opportunity to wash our hair once a week , the statement does presuppose hair.

[LizzieW]

Some of us, myself included would welcome the opportunity to wash our hair once a week , the statement does presuppose hair.

I'm guessing you had hair in 1951, unless you were a new baby then.

[Redroger]

I was very bald when I was a new baby in 1940, but by 1942 I had a lot of hair. This began to recede c1960, and now is a distant memory.
Incidentally while I was at school I fortunately never had nits, though I did pick up a flea from time to time. Straight in the bath on arrival home!!

[Lydart]

Fleas can swim ... 

[Redroger]

Yes I know, sometimes took more than 1 bath!

[redkop]

hi,

I hope you don't mind me joining in this topic. I just had to tell you about my nan. She was born 1906.

I used to live with her in the late 70's. And, she only ever washed her hair at Christmas, and once in the summer. She had beautiful hair, always took pride in it. And, only had a bath once a week too.  I never, ever remember her looking scruffy.

I think that was normal for people of the day. After all, most houses didn't have a bathroom, so having a bath was a huge rigmarole!!

Red   

[Maggie1895]

I think the opinions here about the photos are spot on. 
Like so many of us, my family tree ranges quite widely across social classes in the 1800s, but I have a large collection of family photographs from all strands and in all of them they look well dressed and sometimes extremely prosperous, though that was by no means the case for some.   I agree that 'Sunday best' meant something then, and certainly still did right up until the 1960s.
I treasure the photos I have, but don't see them as any indicator of status or wealth  - it's the faces, and the character, that matter.
As to the not washing as often bit - it wasn't as easy with no running hot water, but I do remember reading not many years ago that if we stopped washing our hair it would become dull or possibly greasy, depending on hair type, but only for a few weeks.    After that it would recover and be fine, because washing hair in shampoo is not good for it.
I've often wondered if I could give that a try, but never had the nerve - it's those 4-5 weeks in between that put me off!
Maggie 1895

[Redroger]

That is what our son's biology lecturer told his students about washing, the effects of not washing only lasted a few weeks. Incidently my tree is almost entirely working class etc. None of these aristos in my ancestry, or if there are they keep their heads down.