Period Hair - 1930s

The 1930s did not get off to a good start. In October of 1929, the stock market crashed in America. Millions of company shares became worthless, people lost their jobs, and for anyone who remained employed, their wages dropped. (History, 2009). This began what was known as The Great Depression, and 15 million people became unemployed. It lasted until 1939. Although, in 1939, World War II began. The world went from one disaster, immediately into another.

Figure 1 - Image from The Great Depression (Wikipedia, no date)

Despite what was happening in the world, the typical woman still had to play her traditional roles - wearing dresses, having her hair done and looking 'put together'. (Morte, B. 2020). This meant that there were still many hair trends that they would follow.

After the 1920s finger-waves craze, women still liked to have these waves and curls, but preferred them to be a lot lighter and fluffier. It was common for them to still use the marcel wave technique to create this style. 

Figure 2 - 1930s styling (Historydaily, 2016)

Figure 3 - 1930s styling (Historydaily, 2016)

Figure 4 - 1930s hair (Morte, B. 2020)

Many women were also growing out their 20s bob, so having these curls would help to disguise this. The actress Ginger Rogers actually made this her signature look, and this helped to grow the styles' popularity. (Morte, B. 2020).

Figure 5 - Actress Ginger Rogers (Hammond, D. 2020)

It can also be seen, that in figures 6, 7 and 8, that sleeked hair was becoming fashionable. The top of the hair would be fairly flat, with all the weight and body at the bottom. It seems having a fringe was also coming into style.

Figure 6 - Actress Joan Crawford (1904 - 1977) (Allthingshair, 2020)

Figure 7 - Actress Greta Garbo (1905 - 1990) (Classicmovietreasures, 2020)

Figure 8 - Actress Greta Garbo (1905 - 1990) (Lamb, B. 2018)

Mens hairstyles appear to not have changed much from the 20s. They would mostly have their hair parted at the side, and the hair slicked back. Occasionally, there would be the odd wave, but the hair would always be neat and in place. 

Figure 9 - Actor Clark Gable (1901 - 1960) (Swungover, 2013)

Figure 10 - Actor Clark Gable (1901 - 1960) (Hamilton, J.R. 2019)

Figure 11 - 1930s man (Hunt, S. 2020)

Setting the wig

This set was very easy to do. The first row of rollers was done as a directional set, to create some shape around the face. The rest of the hair was done partially as a brick set, and the very underneath section done as pin curls. Pin curls can be very fiddly and tedious, however once you get the hang of it, they're not too bad. The wig also required a slight trim.

Figure 12 - Trimming the wig (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 13 - 1930s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 14 - 1930s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 15 - 1930s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 16 - 1930s wet set (Brown, J. 2020)

Styling the wig

Styling the wig, again, was very easy. It only really required to be brushed out and moulded to the right shape. However, this attempt didn't actually go so well, and it looks unfinished. This is due to the stylist not wanting to accidentally brush it out too much, so it is still very curly in the back. Also the wave at the front of the hair didn't turn out as planned, so that could be improved upon in any future attempts.

Figure 17 - 1930s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 18 - 1930s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 19 - 1930s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

Figure 20 - 1930s styled (Brown, J. 2020)

-Jess

References:

• Great Depression History. (2009) Available from https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/great-depression-history [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Morte, B. (2020) What were women's hairstyles like in the 1930s? Available from https://www.rebelsmarket.co.uk/blog/posts/what-were-women-s-hairstyles-like-in-the-1930s [Accessed 06/11/2020]. 

Bibliography:

• 1930-1939. (2019) Available from https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1930-1939/#:~:text=Due%20to%20the%20Great%20Depression,came%20in%20at%20the%20time. [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• 1930s Hairstyles for long hair. (2018) Available from https://vintagedancer.com/1930s/1930s-long-hairstyles/ [Accessed 11/11/2020].
• 1930s Important news and events, key technology fashion and popular culture. (no date) Available from http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1930s.html [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• 21 Best men's hairstyles from 1930s. (no date) Available from https://hairstylecamp.com/1930s-men-hairstyles/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Agricultural markets and the Great Depression: lessons from the past. (2014) Available from https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/features/agricultural-markets-and-the-great-depression-lessons-from-the-past [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Amadeo, K. (2020) The 9 principal effects of the Great Depression. Available from https://www.thebalance.com/effects-of-the-great-depression-4049299#:~:text=The%20Great%20Depression%20of%201929,and%20deflation%20soared%20above%2010%25. [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Bank Run. (2010) Available from https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/bank-run [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Cornwell, B. (no date) 1930s hairstyles for men - 30 classic conservative cuts. Available from https://nextluxury.com/mens-style-and-fashion/1930s-hairstyles-for-men/ [Accessed 11/11/2020].
• Elegant waves: The 1930's best hairstyles. (2019) Available from https://www.fashiongonerogue.com/1930s-hairstyles-wavy-hair/ [Accessed 11/11/2020].
• Fiorillo, S. (2019) Great Depression: Causes, Effects and Timeline. Available from https://www.thestreet.com/politics/great-depression-causes-14663720 [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Freedland, J. (2017) The 1930s were humanity's darkest, bloodiest hour. Are you paying attention? Available from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/11/1930s-humanity-darkest-bloodiest-hour-paying-attention-second-world-war [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• McGlinchey, S. (2013) A brief history of 1930's makeup. Available from https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-makeup/1930s [Accessed 09/11/2020].
• Men's Hairstyles trends over the years: 1930s to 2016. (2016) Available from https://limmerhtc.com/mens-hairstyle-trends-years-1930s-2016/ [Accessed 11/11/2020].
• Romer, C.D. (2020) Great Depression. Available from https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Depression [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Rosenberg, J. (2019) The Great Depression, World War II, and the 1930s. Available from https://www.thoughtco.com/1930s-timeline-1779950 [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• The 1930s. (2010) Available from https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/1930s [Accessed 06/11/2020].
• Timeline. (no date) Available from http://www.sechistorical.org/museum/timeline/1930-timeline.php [Accessed 06/11/2020].

Figures:

• Figure 1 - Great Depression in the United States. (no date) Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 2, 3, 4 - Sleek and wavy: The 1930s hairstyle for women. (2016) Available from https://historydaily.org/1930s-hairstyle-for-women [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 5 - Hammond, D. (2020) Ginger Rogers' secret moments. Available from https://www.crfashionbook.com/celebrity/g28398773/ginger-rogers-secret-moments/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 6 - 12 Amazing 1930s hairstyles everyone should know about. (2020) Available from https://www.allthingshair.com/en-uk/hairstyles-haircuts/vintage-hairstyles/1930s-hairstyles/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 7 - Greta Garbo. (2020) Available from https://classicmovietreasures.com/greta-garbo/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 8 - Lamb, B. (2018) Biography of Greta Garbo. Available from https://www.liveabout.com/greta-garbo-biography-4158140 [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 9 - The art of vintage manliness: The vintage haircut. (2013) Available from https://swungover.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/the-art-of-vintage-manliness-the-vintage-haircut/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 10 - Hamilton, J.R. (2019) 53 Glamorous 1930s men hairstyles. Available from https://menhairstylesworld.com/1930s-mens-hairstyles/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 11 - Hunt, S. (2020) 1930s mens hairstyles. Available from https://africanamericanhairstyling.com/1930s-hairstyles-for-men/ [Accessed 12/11/2020].
• Figure 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 - Brown, J. (2020) York College.
• Figure 17, 18, 19, 20 - Brown, J. (2020) Leeds.