Watch 100 Years of Iconic Short-Hair Trends in Under Four Minutes
Short hair, don’t care — that’s the mantra that’s become increasingly embraced as of late. Just ask the celeb set. Ruby Rose flaunts an asymmetrical crop, model Adwoa Aboah takes it a step further with a full buzz, Katy Perry is killing it with a pixie. Yes, short hair is definitely having a major moment these days, with stars and regular folks alike chopping off their long strands and bringing finesse to styles that don't go past the chin. And though we're definitely seeing short hair gain popularity in modern times, this trend isn't a recent development: women have actually been slaying cropped cuts over many decades.
A trend towards shorter lengths started in the '20s when ballroom dancer, Irene Castle, snipped her strands in favor of a short, versatile wave. The classic look would often get sexed up with spit curls that lay slicked to the forehead, at the nape of the neck, or in front of the ear, thanks to the influence of Josephine Baker. In the '30s, those short bobs gained a little length in favor of sculpted Hollywood curls. Styled with side parts and sleek roots, anyone and everyone hoping to look like a starlet tried the look on for size. legends like Billie Holiday put her own spin on a curly crop, creating an iconic moment at the Oscars by pairing hers with extravagant floral accessories.
After the 1930s, it was a give and take between gaining a little length and losing it altogether. Whether influenced by the factory’s hazardous environment for long hair in the ‘40s, the "Black is Beautiful" movement in the 1960s or a certain iconic princess in the ‘80s, if someone wanted to snip their strands, there were plenty of styles in pop culture to look to for inspiration. Here, we take a look back at the short hairstyles that defined each decade from the past century.
More stories about how beauty has changed over the decades:
Speaking of hair, see how people styled their brows for the past 100 years:
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