Hairstyles and Hair Decorations of the 1920’s

Throughout 1925 the shingle and close-clipped bobs became increasingly popular, each week seeing new fans take up the fashion. The average woman, however, considered carefully the matter of being shorn unless she had expert advice and unbiased opinion.

In 1925, because of the many bobs, the line of the coiffure of the unbobbed lay close to the head, but the size of the head, its shape, and the amount of hair were matters that had to be taken into consideration so that a successful and becoming bobbed hairstyle was achieved. The hair was cut so that the head appeared in the correct proportion to the rest of the figure, the overall balance of the figure being the effect for which women strived.

Styling and decoration that exemplified the period expressed by evening gowns was used to enhance plain bobs and shingle hairstyles for evening activities. Medium to long hair was styled in a long flat roll at the base of the neck. The line of the hair followed the contour of the head and the long roll, or chignon, gave the effect of the bob.

This hair arrangement was adorned with a back band of flat hand-made roses and petals in the various pastel shades. The centers of the roses were finished with tiny glass beads.

Using this same type of hair arrangement, girls with a round face found the tiara-effect head-dress very pleasing. A wide band of silver ribbon was used to make the tiara and it was covered with tiny hand-made flowers of ombre chiffon in rose coloring finished at each ear with a large rose of the chiffon surrounded with gold petals. A strip of elastic was sometimes used across the back under the coil of hair.

Girlish simplicity was displayed in the smart all-around bandeau effect which was especially good for the regulation bob. A fashionable bandeau was constructed from a band of No 9 gold ribbon with three hand-made, silk orchids and green leaves appliqued across the front. The band could be fastened with a snap under the rose at one side, or a small piece of elastic was used under the flower and the bandeau slipped down over the head.

One of the most popular hairstyles was the shingle cut, using a wide natural looking wave. To imitate this effect with long hair, divide the front and the back hair at the ears, coil the back portion close to the head high at the back, and then comb the front portion over it, swirl this around and tuck the end in low at one side, as for the French twist.

GOLD lame was used for a head-dress which consists of a 2-inch band studded with rhinestones and finished at each side with a generous-size hand-made poppy, also studded with the brilliants.

Brilliant, studded combs, were also used for formal wear on the regulation bob of heavy hair..

Following years would see a rapid uptake of finger waves, as the styling of finger waving complemented the shorter close cut bobs that now dominated the hair fashions.