The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair [PIC]

The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair [PIC]

Damon UK

The Myth of World War I
I so often hear the nonsense repeated that short hair on guys only became popular during World War I (they were conscripted into the war and had to have their hair cut because of lice, etc). It's a total myth! Short hair had become the convention LONG before then.
In fact, fairly short hair had become fashionable on men around 1800 and the trend was pronounced during the Regency period (roughly 1810-30). Longish hair (over the ears) came back into fashion during the 1840s but waned out again during the 1860s.
Although many men DID have long or longish hair throughout the 19th century, mainstream fashion had already begun to change inexorably by the 1870s at latest. It became far more common for men to have their hair cut short by that time (which is why men like Custer stood out) and by the 1890s short hair had become just as common, if not far more common, as it is today. In fact, it was utterly the norm by then and long hair was regarded as decidedly eccentric. Men like Oscar Wilde were very much the exception.
I've attached just one photo (New Brompton football team, 1893-94) as an example. There are thousands more. Not just military or police but the vast majority of ordinary civilian men had short hair.
Let's kill the myth that short hair on men only came into fashion because of World War I. It just ain't true! The men in World War I were just continuing a style that had already been set long before then.
It may seem a minor point but as an historian it matters to me. Let's get the facts straight! ;)
Damon

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- Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair [PIC]
  
  Damon UK
  
  Family group of the early 1890s.
  The Myth of World War I
  I so often hear the nonsense repeated that short hair on guys only became popular during World War I (they were conscripted into the war and had to have their hair cut because of lice, etc). It's a total myth! Short hair had become the convention LONG before then.
  In fact, fairly short hair had become fashionable on men around 1800 and the trend was pronounced during the Regency period (roughly 1810-30). Longish hair (over the ears) came back into fashion during the 1840s but waned out again during the 1860s.
  Although many men DID have long or longish hair throughout the 19th century, mainstream fashion had already begun to change inexorably by the 1870s at latest. It became far more common for men to have their hair cut short by that time (which is why men like Custer stood out) and by the 1890s short hair had become just as common, if not far more common, as it is today. In fact, it was utterly the norm by then and long hair was regarded as decidedly eccentric. Men like Oscar Wilde were very much the exception.
  I've attached just one photo (New Brompton football team, 1893-94) as an example. There are thousands more. Not just military or police but the vast majority of ordinary civilian men had short hair.
  Let's kill the myth that short hair on men only came into fashion because of World War I. It just ain't true! The men in World War I were just continuing a style that had already been set long before then.
  It may seem a minor point but as an historian it matters to me. Let's get the facts straight! ;)
  Damon
  
  reply close reply form
  - Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair [PIC]
    
    Roger S
    
    Family group of the early 1890s.
    The Myth of World War I
    I so often hear the nonsense repeated that short hair on guys only became popular during World War I (they were conscripted into the war and had to have their hair cut because of lice, etc). It's a total myth! Short hair had become the convention LONG before then.
    In fact, fairly short hair had become fashionable on men around 1800 and the trend was pronounced during the Regency period (roughly 1810-30). Longish hair (over the ears) came back into fashion during the 1840s but waned out again during the 1860s.
    Although many men DID have long or longish hair throughout the 19th century, mainstream fashion had already begun to change inexorably by the 1870s at latest. It became far more common for men to have their hair cut short by that time (which is why men like Custer stood out) and by the 1890s short hair had become just as common, if not far more common, as it is today. In fact, it was utterly the norm by then and long hair was regarded as decidedly eccentric. Men like Oscar Wilde were very much the exception.
    I've attached just one photo (New Brompton football team, 1893-94) as an example. There are thousands more. Not just military or police but the vast majority of ordinary civilian men had short hair.
    Let's kill the myth that short hair on men only came into fashion because of World War I. It just ain't true! The men in World War I were just continuing a style that had already been set long before then.
    It may seem a minor point but as an historian it matters to me. Let's get the facts straight! ;)
    Damon
    Damon, you need a copy of my book, which has a very extensive and fully referenced historical section. In it I trace the origins of excessive cutting - it goes back to B.C. times. You will love it, I guarantee it.
    Roger
    
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    - Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair
      
      Damon UK
      
      I trace the origins of excessive cutting - it goes back to B.C. times.
      Yes, I know it goes way back but it was the nonsense about the cutting of hair in more recent times that riled me - the myth that most men wore their hair long until forced to cut it during World War I.
      Someone publishes hogwash in a book without bothering to research it, it gets repeated on sites like Wikipedia, and then the world accepts it as "fact".
      I think I'd enjoy reading your own book - it sounds as if YOU did research properly - but I'll have to leave it until the new year. I've had a few financial setbacks recently and funds are incredibly low at the moment! Yeah, THAT low - it's gonna be a gruesome Christmas! :)
      Damon
      --------------------------------------
      Family group of the early 1890s.
      The Myth of World War I
      I so often hear the nonsense repeated that short hair on guys only became popular during World War I (they were conscripted into the war and had to have their hair cut because of lice, etc). It's a total myth! Short hair had become the convention LONG before then.
      In fact, fairly short hair had become fashionable on men around 1800 and the trend was pronounced during the Regency period (roughly 1810-30). Longish hair (over the ears) came back into fashion during the 1840s but waned out again during the 1860s.
      Although many men DID have long or longish hair throughout the 19th century, mainstream fashion had already begun to change inexorably by the 1870s at latest. It became far more common for men to have their hair cut short by that time (which is why men like Custer stood out) and by the 1890s short hair had become just as common, if not far more common, as it is today. In fact, it was utterly the norm by then and long hair was regarded as decidedly eccentric. Men like Oscar Wilde were very much the exception.
      I've attached just one photo (New Brompton football team, 1893-94) as an example. There are thousands more. Not just military or police but the vast majority of ordinary civilian men had short hair.
      Let's kill the myth that short hair on men only came into fashion because of World War I. It just ain't true! The men in World War I were just continuing a style that had already been set long before then.
      It may seem a minor point but as an historian it matters to me. Let's get the facts straight! ;)
      Damon
      Damon, you need a copy of my book, which has a very extensive and fully referenced historical section. In it I trace the origins of excessive cutting - it goes back to B.C. times. You will love it, I guarantee it.
      Roger
      
      reply close reply form
      - Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair
        
        Roger S
        
        I trace the origins of excessive cutting - it goes back to B.C. times.
        Yes, I know it goes way back but it was the nonsense about the cutting of hair in more recent times that riled me - the myth that most men wore their hair long until forced to cut it during World War I.
        Someone publishes hogwash in a book without bothering to research it, it gets repeated on sites like Wikipedia, and then the world accepts it as "fact".
        I think I'd enjoy reading your own book - it sounds as if YOU did research properly - but I'll have to leave it until the new year. I've had a few financial setbacks recently and funds are incredibly low at the moment! Yeah, THAT low - it's gonna be a gruesome Christmas! :)
        Damon
        --------------------------------------
        Sorry to hear about your plight. It sounds like it can only lookup from here. Sign up on my website and you can download the first two chapters for free. Make sure you leave your name Damon so I know it's you. I pray God's blessing to come to you for 2012!
        
        reply close reply form
- Wikipedia article
  
  Damon UK
  
  I see the myth is perpetuated on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_hair), which based its info on Anthony Gonzalez, Cosmetology, 2007. Gonzalez got it wrong - at least for the UK and USA.
  ---------------------------------------
  The Myth of World War I
  I so often hear the nonsense repeated that short hair on guys only became popular during World War I (they were conscripted into the war and had to have their hair cut because of lice, etc). It's a total myth! Short hair had become the convention LONG before then.
  In fact, fairly short hair had become fashionable on men around 1800 and the trend was pronounced during the Regency period (roughly 1810-30). Longish hair (over the ears) came back into fashion during the 1840s but waned out again during the 1860s.
  Although many men DID have long or longish hair throughout the 19th century, mainstream fashion had already begun to change inexorably by the 1870s at latest. It became far more common for men to have their hair cut short by that time (which is why men like Custer stood out) and by the 1890s short hair had become just as common, if not far more common, as it is today. In fact, it was utterly the norm by then and long hair was regarded as decidedly eccentric. Men like Oscar Wilde were very much the exception.
  I've attached just one photo (New Brompton football team, 1893-94) as an example. There are thousands more. Not just military or police but the vast majority of ordinary civilian men had short hair.
  Let's kill the myth that short hair on men only came into fashion because of World War I. It just ain't true! The men in World War I were just continuing a style that had already been set long before then.
  It may seem a minor point but as an historian it matters to me. Let's get the facts straight! ;)
  Damon
  
  reply close reply form
- Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair
  
  Bill
  
  family tree
  Bill
  
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  - Re: The Myth of World War I and the Start of Short Hair
    
    Damon UK
    
    family tree
    Bill
    Thanks, Bill. Yeah, I wish more people would simply look through old photos instead of blindly accepting some nonsense on Wikipedia.
    Damon
    
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