While not always braided, the hair was pulled back very tight into a single tail, wrapped around a piece of leather and tied down with a ribbon. The hair was often greased and powdered in a fashion similar to powdered wigs, or tarred in the case of sailors.
Although not always done so, the hair was often styled in a tight ponytail, wrapped around a leather band, and fastened with a ribbon.  The hair was typically slicked back and powdered, similar to how wigs were treated, or coated with tar for sailors.