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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. 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. Due to their increasing sophistication, bobbed hairstyles increased in popularity through the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. Some of the more popular and attractive shorter womens hair styles from the 1920’s and 1930’s are currently experiencing a revival as modern hair stylists look back in time for fresh ideas and inspiration from the innovative and 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. Some hairstyles only had a short time in the limelight before they disappeared forever. Barbers and hairdressers competed with each other to get business from women seeking to shed their long hair and obtain the latest hair fashions.

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. 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. Although considered very radical by many in the early 1920’s, bobbed hair quickly became the desired standard for young girls and young women in their twenties, but was also very popular with middle-aged women in their thirties and forties. 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. Early critics predicted that bobs would be a short-lived fad that would last a couple of years at most and were surprised to find that they continued to grow in popularity well into the 1930’s. As it turned out, the huge popularity of bobbed hairstyles for women became a major revolution in womens hairstyling.