Hairstyles of the 1920′s

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. The original straight, plain, and relatively simple short bobbed hair styles of the early 1920′s were transformed into much more interesting and feminine bobs (with stylish curls and waves) in the middle to late twenties. Due to their increasing sophistication, bobbed hairstyles increased in popularity through the late 1920′s and early 1930′s. The beautiful short hairstyles of this trend setting era have enjoyed a revival in modern times as hair stylists look back to this period for inspiration.

Popular hairstyles of the 1920′s included the bob, marcel wave, finger waves and shingling and their many different variations. The Eton Crop was typical of hairstyles that had a relatively short life before disappearing. As women of all ages sacrificed their long tresses on the altar of fashion, hairdressers and even barbers competed for this booming business.

As early adopters of the new shorter hair styles, 1920′s movie stars and other celebrities played a big part in popularizing the new hair fashions through appearances in movies and stage shows, the new hairstyles they sported being eagerly copied by their adoring fans. Although extremely expensive initially, permanent hair-waving or perming also attracted a lot of interest from women seeking permanence for their curls and waves despite the high cost involved.

The 1920′s was the decade of short hair hairstyles as the previously fashionable long-hair hairstyles became unpopular. Although considered extremely radical in the early 1920′s, bobbed hair quickly became the “must have” hairstyle for young girls and young ladies aged in their twenties, the popularity extending to middle-aged women in their thirties and forties. Sophisticated cuts including shingling were used to create attractive bobs that featured waves and curls to soften and enhance the styling. 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.