1920s Hairstyles
During the early 1920’s there began a transition from the long-hair styles of the previous decades to the newer short-hair styles like the bob. While bobbed hairstyles of the early 1920’s were very plain, they were transformed with beautiful curls and waves by the late 1920’s into stylish and feminine bobs that endured into the 1930’s. Bobbed hairstyles of the late 1920’s endured in popularity through the early 1930’s as well. Many of the popular and attractive shorter womens hairstyles from the 20’s and 30’s are currently experiencing a modern day revival as hair stylists go back in time seeking fresh ideas and inspiration from the beautiful short hairstyles of this trend setting era.
Popular hairstyles of the 1920’s included the bob, marcel wave, finger waves and shingling and their many different variations. Other hairstyles like the Eton Crop were only temporary phenomenons. Barbers and hairdressers were in competition with each other for the cream of this booming hairdressing business, as women of all ages sacrificed their long tresses on the altar of fashion.
As early adopters of the new shorter hairstyles, 1920’s movie stars and other celebrities assisted in popularizing the new hair fashions through public appearances, movies and stage shows, the new hairstyles they sported being eagerly copied by their adoring fans. The high cost of permanent waves when they first became commonly available did not put off women seeking a more permanent hair styling treatment.
Short hairstyles became increasingly popular as the 1920’s progressed, with long hair giving way to the new hair fashions. Bobbed hairstyles were considered extremely radical and unattractive by many to begin with but young women and middle aged women embraced the style in increasing numbers. The original plain bobs eventually gave way to much more attractive shingled bobs or incorporated waves and curls using sophisticated cuts to add style and interest. These later fashionable bobs continued in popularity well into the early 1930’s defying critics who had predicted the bob would be a short-lived fad that would only survive a year or two at most. As it turned out, the huge popularity of bobbed hairstyles for women became a major revolution in womens hairstyling.
