A hairstyle in which hair is styled or pinned up off the neck and shoulders, such as a bun, updo, or topknot.
Compound of 'hair' and 'up,' a modern coinage describing the direction and position of the hairstyle. Modern English formation reflecting contemporary beauty terminology.
Before air conditioning, 'hair up' styles were practical because they kept hair off the neck and allowed body heat to escape—so the most fashionable styles were also the most comfortable in pre-modern climates, which explains why updos have remained popular across centuries.
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