Many fashion-conscious women such as street style stars and celebrities show up with an elegant bob hairstyle. This has established itself as a trending “it” haircut, and for good reason. The iconic style has a storied past that can be traced back centuries. The bob hairstyle has been sported by some of the world’s most revered feminists like Amelia Earhart, Aretha Franklin, Irene Castle and Coco Chanel. With the fight for women’s rights spreading to the masses via social media, fashion and beauty thanks to the current political climate, it’s no surprise that the bob hairstyle has returned as one of the must-have hairstyles of the last decade. Today we take a look at how this short haircut has represented feminism throughout time…
Do you know the history of the bob hairstyle?
The history of the bob hairstyle
The bob cut, or otherwise known as the bob, coincides with the rapid social and political changes in western society since the early 20th century, although the idea of the rebellious, short-haired woman may have been traced back to Cleopatra and Joan of Arc. Flappers helped perpetuate this fashionable haircut, and nearly a century later it’s still trending.
When women cut their hair short…
The bob hairstyle is back because feminism is playing a big role in political and social life at the moment. In the 20th century, the bob was a hallmark of the first wave of feminist movements in the 1920s. It was then that the struggle for the right to vote reached a turning point. The flappers (the so-called fashionable women of the 1920s) decided to abandon tight corsets and dresses, and to shorten hemlines and hair length. The short hairstyle opposed the Western ideal of beauty, according to which long hair was more beautiful and feminine. Flappers also redefined gender roles, as only short-haired men were accepted during this period. This was a time when women took control of their power and their looks and rewrote the guidelines that defined the beauty of that era.
Short hairstyles from the 1920s
The flappers established the bob hairstyle
A little over three decades later, the bob hairstyle was modernized by the famous hairdresser Vidal Sassoon. Twiggy’s version was undoubtedly a trendsetter in the sixties. And the voluminous and elegant bob hairstyle of the First Lady Jackie Kennedy caused a sensation. Diana Ross and The Supremes were not far behind. Her chic looks were the perfect complement to her sleek dance moves, stunning makeup and punchy fashion.
Diana Ross has also sported a bob haircut
The bob hairstyle was rediscovered in the 80s and 90s of the last century. Women who had this bob just exuded confidence. Think Salt-N-Pepa, Christy Turlington, Teri Hatcher and Winona Ryder. Short hair also became a signature of the third wave underground feminist movement, the Riot Grrrls, who spoke out about female empowerment, sexuality, racism and more in their punk-influenced music.
Short hairstyles and the feminist movement go hand in hand
Today we are in a new era of feminism and all contemporary trendsetters are paying homage to the women who fought for women’s rights in the past. You can find new ways to make the bob modern and adapt it to the current lifestyle. An example of this is the long bob, which brings a whole new look to the modern cut.
Short means confident
Women have fought for their rights and changed the ideal of female beauty
So we believe that the bob hairstyle will always be in fashion because the girl power will always be present. And we’re excited to see how the bob hairstyle will be reinterpreted in the next decade…
Coco Chanel has had a major impact on the fashion world
Princess Diana is one of the fashion icons of the 20th century
Anna Wintour’s bob haircut is her trademark
Many other celebrities also enjoy a short haircut
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