Short Hair: Chronology



Figure 1.--This American boy wore a a crew cut, a popular short hair style, for his school portrait about 1960s. These cuts were populkar in the 1950s and early-60s, in part due to the sort cuts GIs wore during World war II.

We have seen short hair come and go over time. Short hair was common in many ancient socities. We see short hair as a standard for boys and men in Rome. Short hair was common during the medieval era, although this varies over time and from country to country. The Normans in particular wore their hair short. Hair length took on political signicance during the English Civil War whn the short-hair Round Heads fough the King's long haired cavelier (17th century). Boys commonly short hair, but with a pony tail or quque (18th century). Adults with the money might wear wigs, although this was less common American than Europe (18th century). we see a mix of styles following as wigs and quques disappeared (19th century). We have limited infirmation after the turn-of-the 19th century. We know much more at mid-century and the appearance of photography. Boys and men wore longish over the ears hair, but not shoulder-length hair (1840s-50s). Except for very little ys there was no destinction betwee boys and men. We see rather modern-looking short cuts (1860s). A good ecample is Augustus Davies. These styles continud for the rest of the century. Some boys in Europe has cropped har. This was less common in America, but short styles were standard. Some younger boys wore long hair often done in curls. Various short cuts were much more common. A good example is an American boy about 1890. Short hair was popular during most of the 20th centuries and seem to be the dominant style in the 20th century. These were rather brief interludes during extended periods of short hair. And even during these periods, many boys had short cuts or long cuts well short of the shoulders. Short styles like crew cuts were popular in America (1950s). Long hair became popular for time (1970s-80s). Short hair eturned as the stabdard style (1990s). And we see the extremely short hair at the end of the century (late-1990s). The style was to cut the hair short all around without any noticeable styling. The hair is cut at about 1/4 inch length. Because of the length there is no noticeable part. This style appears to have been more popular in Europe than in America. In this style the side burns are cut well above the ear at about the level where the ear joins the suide of the ear. Short styles have been the standard in the 21st century.

Ancient Times

We have seen short hair come and go over time. Short hair was common in many ancient socities. We see short hair as a standard for boys and men in Rome.

Medievl Era

Short hair was common during the medieval era, although this varies over time and from country to country. The Normans in particular wore their hair short.

The 17th Century

Hair length took on political signicance during the English Civil War whn the short-hair Round Heads fough the King's long haired cavelier (17th century).

The 18th Century

Boys commonly wore short hair, but with a pony tail or quque (18th century). Adults with the money might wear wigs, although this was less common American than Europe (18th century).

The 19th Century

we see a mix of styles following as wigs and quques disappeared (19th century), We have limited infirmation after the turn-of-the 19th century. We know much more at mid-century and the appearance of photography. Boys and men wore longish over the ears hair, but not shoulder-length hair (1840s-50s). Except for very little ys there was no destinction betwee boys and men. We see rather modern-looking short cuts (1860s). A good ecample is Augustus Davies. These styles continud for the rest of the century. Some boys in Europe has cropped har. This was less common in America, but short styles were standard. Some younger boys wore long hair often done in curls. Various short cuts were much more common. A good example is an American boy about 1890.

The 20th Century

Short hair was popular during most of the 20th centuries and seem to be the dominant style in the 20th century. exceot for younger pre-chool boys, short hair was standard in the early-20th century. Good exaples are George and Ewan McTherson (1902). These were rather brief interludes during extended periods of short hair. And even during these periods, many boys had short cuts or long cuts well short of the shoulders. Short styles like crew cuts were popularin America (1950s). Long hair became popular for time (1970s-80s). Short hair returned as the standard style (1990s). And we see the extremely short hair at the end of the century (late-1990s). The style was to cut the hair short all around without any noticeable styling. The hair is cut at about 1/4 inch length. Because of the length there is no noticeable part. This style appears to have been more popular in Europe than in America. In this style the side burns are cut well above the ear at about the level where the ear joins the suide of the ear.

The 21st Century

Short styles have been the standard in the 21st century.



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Created: 7:59 PM 1/28/2015
Last edited: 5:44 AM 2/7/2015