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). Although early 1920’s bobbed hairstyles were very plain and straight and almost masculine in style, the bobbed hairstyles of the late 1920’s and early 1930’s were much more stylish and feminine. Bobbed hairstyles of the late 1920’s endured in popularity through the early 1930’s as well. 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 wave and shingle and their many different variations. Other hairstyles like the Eton Crop were only temporary phenomenons. Barbers and hairdressers competed with each other to get business from women seeking to shed their long hair and obtain the latest hair fashions.

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. Permanent Hair-waving or perms, were extremely popular with women looking for a more permanent hair treatment despite the high initial cost when first introduced.

In the 1920’s short hair for women was “in” and rapidly took over from the previously fashionable long hair styles. 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 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.

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