Step back in time with these stunning 1930s hairstyles for women and men, exploring their origins, the celebrities who popularized them, and tips for recreating these vintage looks today. You know, it's pretty amazing how some styles just stick around. The 1930s were characterized by elegant and glamorous hairstyles that reflected the fashion and societal changes of the time, so you can see that. These kinds of hairstyles suit nearly everyone, still being adopted by women up to date, which is rather cool, actually.
Looking back, 1930s hairstyles can be defined by one major trend, a softer look than the sleek bob and tight ringlets of earlier times. This article delves into the most iconic 1930s hairstyles for women, offering a good look at how hair was worn. We’ll also touch on men’s styles, too, because they had their own cool trends around the globe.
Be inspired by these 1930s hairstyles, as they really do offer a timeless allure with their vintage waves, chic bobs, and elegant updos. When you look at the vibrant world of 1930s hairstyles, you’ll notice groundbreaking trends in both hair coloring and texture that truly defined the era, you know, for real.
Table of Contents
- A Look Back at 1930s Hair History
- Iconic Women's 1930s Hairstyles
- Men's 1930s Hairstyles
- The Influence of Hollywood and Celebrities
- Recreating 1930s Hairstyles Today
- Frequently Asked Questions About 1930s Hairstyles
A Look Back at 1930s Hair History
Understanding the hairstyles of the 1930s provides valuable insights into the decade’s aesthetic, which is pretty cool, if you think about it. This research illuminates the interplay between fashion, film, and societal shifts. At the beginning of the decade, these 30s hairstyles were still short and traditional, a bit of a hangover from the flapper trends which dazzled high society and trickled down into other strata, so it’s interesting to see that transition.
The permanent wave was a popular method to achieve the desired look, which really changed things for many women. Hair was primarily worn at chin or just above shoulder length with deeply set waves, defining the nineteen thirties coiffure. It’s almost like a signature look for the era, you know?
Many hairstyles featured a center part with deep waves, with hair pulled back into an array of small curls on the neckline, secured with bobby pins or hairpins. This attention to detail was very much a part of the era’s style. In this article, we will explore popular hairstyles of the era for both men and women, offering a guide towards getting 1930s inspired hairstyles for vintage fashion fans that will like to recreate some of the greatest fashion styles, which is neat.
Iconic Women's 1930s Hairstyles
The 1930s brought about a distinct shift in women's hair fashion, moving towards softer, more elegant styles. This was a time when hair became a true accessory, almost like jewelry, you know? Shorter waved hair defined the nineteen thirties coiffure, often resting at chin or just above shoulder length with deeply set waves. It’s quite a specific look, really.
The Glamorous Finger Wave
The finger wave, a true hallmark of 1930s glamour, remained incredibly popular throughout the decade. This style created smooth, sculpted waves that lay close to the head, giving a very polished appearance. It was a look that screamed sophistication, in a way. You can see how the waves were often deep and very defined, almost like ripples in water.
Achieving finger waves required a certain skill, using fingers and a comb to create the "S" shape waves while the hair was wet, then pinning them into place to dry. This technique, though time-consuming, gave an absolutely stunning result. It's a style that still captivates today, and you can still carry it with absolute perfection without any limitations of time or era, which is rather cool, isn't it?
Soft Waves and Curls
Beyond the strict finger wave, softer, more natural-looking waves and curls also gained immense popularity. These styles had a bit more volume and movement, giving a romantic and feminine feel. Often, hair was styled with a center part, allowing deep waves to frame the face. Then, the hair was pulled back into an array of small curls on the neckline, secured with bobby pins or hairpins, you know, for that finished look.
The permanent wave was a very popular method to achieve these lasting curls and waves, meaning women could enjoy their stylish hair for longer periods. These softer styles were versatile, fitting both daytime activities and evening events. They are imitated by every subsequent generation with just a slight change, showing that these 1930s hairstyles are examples of enduring beauty, apparently.
Chic Bobs and Shorter Lengths
While the flapper bob of the 1920s was quite sharp, the 1930s saw bobs soften and grow out a little, becoming more refined. Hair was primarily worn at chin or just above shoulder length, often with those signature deeply set waves. This length was practical but still allowed for elegant styling, which is something many women appreciated.
These chic bobs were often paired with side parts or center parts, giving a balanced and graceful look. They offered a neatness that was very much in tune with the era’s sense of decorum, yet they still had a touch of playfulness with the waves. It would be unheard of to have very long hair in the 1930s for women, so these shorter styles were the norm, you know, for the most part.
Elegant Updos and Evening Looks
For formal occasions, elegant updos became a favored choice, especially for evening events. These styles often involved gathering the waved or curled hair at the nape of the neck or slightly higher, creating a sophisticated silhouette. Think about it, the hair was still short enough to be manageable, but long enough to be swept up beautifully.
These updos frequently incorporated those deep waves around the face, maintaining the signature 1930s aesthetic. Small curls might frame the face or spill delicately onto the neck, secured with pins. Such looks truly completed the glamorous outfits of the time, making every woman look like a movie star, in a way.
Men's 1930s Hairstyles
The 1930s hairstyles of men also had some of the coolest hairstyle trends around the globe, so it wasn't just about the women. Men's hair typically featured a neat, well-groomed appearance, often with a side part. Hair was usually kept short on the sides and back, gradually getting a bit longer on top to allow for styling.
A popular style involved slicking the hair back with pomade or brilliantine, giving it a shiny, smooth finish. This created a very dapper and refined look, quite different from the wilder styles we sometimes see today. When men visited their favorite barber, they would also get a shave and a shoe shine, showing that grooming was a complete experience, you know, a whole ritual.
Hats were just as important to men’s fashion, often worn over these neat hairstyles. The overall look for men was one of polished sophistication, reflecting the era’s desire for order and elegance. It’s pretty clear that attention to detail was key for both genders during this time.
The Influence of Hollywood and Celebrities
Hollywood played a truly massive role in popularizing 1930s hairstyles. Movie stars like Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, and Joan Crawford were style icons, and their hairstyles were widely imitated. People would flock to see their films, and then rush to their hairdressers, asking for the same look, which is fascinating.
Jean Harlow’s platinum blonde waves, for example, became incredibly famous, inspiring many women to lighten their hair and adopt similar wavy styles. These celebrities set the trends, showing how the elegant and glamorous hairstyles reflected the fashion and societal changes of the time. Their influence helped solidify the deep wave and soft curl as the defining looks of the decade, you know, for sure.
The silver screen made these looks aspirational, making them accessible to the general public through magazines and fashion plates. This made it possible for everyday women to feel a connection to the glamour of the movies. It’s a bit like how social media influencers work today, but with movie stars back then, obviously.
Recreating 1930s Hairstyles Today
The good news is that these 1930s hairstyles are still being adopted by women up to date, proving some hairstyles never get outdated. In fact, they get famous as time commences, which is pretty cool. Here you can see a collection of the best 1930s hairstyles that you can still carry with absolute perfection without any limitations of time or era. Ready to rev up your wave prowess? You can totally do it!
Tools and Techniques for Vintage Looks
To recreate these timeless 1930s hairstyles, you’ll need a few key tools. A fine-tooth comb, setting lotion or mousse, and duckbill clips or bobby pins are essential. For those deep, sculpted waves, a curling iron or even a flat iron can help create the initial curl, which you then shape into waves. The permanent wave was a popular method to achieve these looks back then, but we have modern alternatives now.
For finger waves, applying setting lotion to damp hair and then using your fingers and comb to push the hair into "S" shapes, securing with clips, is the classic method. Let it dry completely, perhaps under a hooded dryer or with a diffuser, before removing the clips. For softer waves, setting hair in pin curls or using large barrel curling irons can give that gentle, flowing look. Remember, the goal is a smooth, polished finish, so use a little hairspray to hold everything in place, too.
Modern Adaptations for Everyday Wear
You don't have to go full vintage to enjoy the beauty of 1930s hairstyles. Many of these looks can be adapted for modern everyday wear. For instance, a single deep wave framing the face with the rest of your hair styled simply can give a subtle nod to the era. Or, you could try a soft, chin-length bob with a gentle wave, which is very much in style today, actually.
These styles suit a lot of people, so you can still carry them with absolute perfection. Consider adding a vintage-inspired hair clip or a delicate headband to complete the look. You can also explore modern takes on the sleek, pulled-back men's styles, perhaps with a matte finish product instead of shiny pomade for a more contemporary feel. Learn more about hair styling techniques on our site, and link to this page Glamourdaze presents a delightful vintage fashion feature from 1930 featuring women’s hat styles for more inspiration on period accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1930s Hairstyles
What was the most popular hairstyle in the 1930s?
The most popular hairstyle for women in the 1930s was undoubtedly the finger wave, often combined with soft, sculpted waves that framed the face. Hair was typically worn at chin or just above shoulder length. This look was elegant and very refined, you know, for the time.
How do you do 1930s waves?
To create 1930s waves, you usually start with damp hair and apply a setting lotion. Then, using a fine-tooth comb and your fingers, you create "S" shapes in the hair, securing each wave with duckbill clips. The hair needs to dry completely before removing the clips, which is important for the hold, apparently.
Did women have long hair in the 1930s?
No, it would be unheard of to have very long hair in the 1930s for women. Hair was predominantly worn at chin or just above shoulder length. The cloche hat that had covered all the hair and much of the face in the previous decade also influenced this, as shorter hair was simply more practical, too.
These iconic 1930s hairstyles offer a beautiful glimpse into a bygone era of elegance and sophistication. They truly show how fashion and societal changes influence personal style. So, why not give one of these classic looks a try and bring a touch of vintage glamour into your present-day style? You might just love it, you know.
