Popular 1920’s Hairstyles

The early 1920’s witnessed major progress in the transition of women’s hairstyles from the traditional long-hair styles of the nineteenth century – to new short-hair styles like “the bob”, a process that started during the great war (WW1). 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. 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.

Hairstyles like the Bob, finger wave, Marcel wave, and shingle were the most popular hairstyles of the 1920’s with numerous variations of each. Hairstyles like the Eton Crop were temporary phenomenons that disappeared as fast as they arrived. 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.

1920’s movie stars and other celebrities were early adopters of the new shorter styles. Their celebrity status ensured that that the new styles received maximum publicity and in turn were eagerly copied by their fans. Despite the high cost involved initially there was a very high uptake of permanent waving when it became available to women everywhere.

The 1920’s was the decade of short hair hairstyles as the previously fashionable long-hair hairstyles became unpopular. 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 initial plain bobs were eventually replaced by more stylish and sophisticated bobs that featured waves and curls to add style and interest. These later stylish bobs continued to be popular well into the 1930’s defying hairdressing critics who had predicted the bob would be a short-term fad that would only last a year or two at most. The snowballing numbers of women adopting bobbed hairstyles meant that a major revolution in hairstyles ocurred during this period.