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. Women endeavored to achieve a balance in their appearance by dressing the hair to a proportionate size.

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 hair-line following the contour of the head and the long roll, or chignon, gave the effect of the bob.

A back band of flat hand-made roses and petals in the various pastel shades was used for adornment. Tiny glass beads were used to finish the centers of the roses.

Girls with a round face with this same type of hair arrangement, also found the tiara-effect head-dress to their liking. 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. An elastic strip of was often used across the back under the coil of hair.

The standard bob was enhanced by the girlishly simple but smart all-around bandeau effect. 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.

The extremely popular shingle cut, with a wide, natural-looking wave, was very popular. This effect may be imitated with long hair, by dividing the front and the back hair at the ears, coiling the back portion close to the head high at the back, and then combing the front portion over it, swirling this around and tucking the end in low at one side, as for the French twist.

Plaited cocardes (rosette or ornament of ribbon) of royal-blue maline finished in the center with tiny pink rose-buds and joined with variegated silver tubing were also used to make an interesting head-dress.

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.