Long Hair: Chronological Trends

boys long hair

Figure 1.--Long hair for younger boys, even curled styles, became ppopular in the 19th century. This was especuially the case for younger boys and boys from affluent families. This painting of an American boy is undated, but we would guess was taken in the late 19th century.

Boys hair styles have varied widely over time. Roman boys wore short hair. Boys in the medieval era often had long hair. In fact, boys in Western Europe seem to have worn long hair more than short hair. Even so, by the 20th century, short hair had become the standard for boys, often quite short hair. And until the 1970s you almost never saw school-age boys with long hair. There were variations by country. Many German boys, for example, at the turn of the 20th century had cropped hair. Religion might also be a factor. Social class was also a complicating factor as was age, however, we are not sure how these factors played out before the modern era. Generally long hair even curls has in the 19th and even the 20th century been seen as appropriate for younger, pre-school boys. Shorter styles have become popular in the erly 21st century, but there seems to be a high degree of toleration for boys who care to wear longer styles. Parental tastes are often less important than in earlier eras.

Chronological Eras

Boys hair styles have varied widely over time. Roman boys wore short hair. Boys in the medieval era often had long hair. In fact, boys in Western Europe seem to have worn long hair more than short hair. Boys in the 18th century tended to have have long hair, but it was commonly drawn back in a pony tail. Whigs were common, but not for boys, except for the very rich. We see quite a range of syles during the 19th century. Boys in the early 19th century tended to have short hair, but by mid-century, hair over the ears was common. Styles became shorter in the late 19th century, but younger boys from affluent families might have loin gair, even ringlet curls. The standard for boys hair by the 20th century had become short cuts, often quite short hair. And until the 1970s you almost never saw school-age boys with long hair. Generally long hair even curls has in the 19th and even the 20th century been seen as appropriate for younger, pre-school boys. Shorter styles have become popular in the erly 21st century, but there seems to be a high degree of toleration for boys who care to wear longer styles. Parental tastes are often less important than in earlier eras.

Complicating Factors

Hair styles of course did not just change chronologically. There were many complicating factors that affected hair styling during each historical period. This makes assessing hair styles over time an involved process. There were variations by country. Many German boys, for example, at the turn of the 20th century had cropped hair. Religion might also be a factor. Social class was also a complicating factor as was age, however, we are not sure how these factors played out before the modern era.







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Created: 11:01 PM 5/27/2007
Last edited: 11:01 PM 5/27/2007