The plait was an Elizabethan hairstyle created more for the purpose of hygiene but with the benefits of appearing beautifully decorative. The plait allowed the hair to maintain its natural oils and soften the hair that had been damaged from repetitive colouring using harsh materials, plaits were also believed to prevent the hair from falling out during the day as problems with hair loss and alopecia were prominent as a result of saffron dyes.
In decorative respects the use of plait was beautifully ornate in appearance, as the fashion within Renaissance England became to grow hair longer and longer by plaiting the hair up into tall structures in allowed the wearer to appear more regal through the amount of decoration that could be placed between the braids. It became popular for pearls, jewels and other precious stones to be set into the plaits as well as ribbon and lines of lace, this lace or thread would be plaited through the hair and then wrapped and tied together to hold the hair into a bun shape. This also allowed the hair to be easily covered by a Caul or other type of hat.
This clip taken from the film 'Elizabeth' featuring Cate Blanchett supplies an example of how plaits and braids were used to hold the hair into buns and structures. Braids were also used by the Queen as it allowed the hair to support headpieces of heavy decoration such as crowns and jewels.
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