krullingen

Krullingen is a Dutch noun that refers to small curls or ringlets of hair. The term describes multiple, delicate curls that may appear around the hairline, at the temples, or along the nape of the neck, whether naturally present or styled. In English, krullingen are typically translated as ringlets or little curls.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Dutch root krul (curl) and is used to denote a cluster or collection of curls. It is commonly found in descriptive prose, fashion writing, and historical portraits to convey a particular hair texture or hairstyle. The form is most often associated with female hairstyles but can describe any hairstyle featuring many small curls.

Historical and cultural context: In Dutch literature and visual art from the early modern period, krullingen appear as a characteristic feature of elegant or youthful appearances. Portraits from the 17th to 19th centuries frequently depict curls arranged in soft ringlets around the face or along the back of the head. Hairstyles featuring krullingen were achieved through methods such as curling irons, pins, or careful plaiting, and were sometimes enhanced with wigs or padding.

Contemporary usage: Today, krullingen remains understood in Dutch but is relatively formal or literary. More common everyday terms for the same idea are krullen or krullende haren. The concept persists in discussions of vintage or period-accurate hairstyles, literature, and historical descriptions.

See also: krullen, haar (hair), ringlet.