Figure 1.--This was a commercially produced English postcard in the early 20th century. The boy had blond ringlet curls done in a right part. We are not yet sure just how to assess these postcard images. Image courtesy if the MD collection.

The great majority of English boys appear to have parted their hair on the left during the 20th century. We assume that the principal factor here is that right-handed people can more easily comb a left part on themselves and most people are right handed. Of course younger boys generally have their hair comb by mother. Thus more younger boys than older boys had right parts (figure 1). We are not sure to what extent this is an accepted convention or an optional matter of convenience. The great majority of English photographic images we have noted in which parts are destinct, show boys with left parts, although center parts were often common during certain periods. Many younger boys at the turn of the 20th century wore bangs and the parts are thus not very apparent. The image here is a good example of long hair with a right part. We are not entirely sure about 19th century trends. We note two unidentified London teenagers with right parts in the 1850s. Conventions seem more standardized in the 20th century. When a part is apparent, it very commonly is a right part for girls and a left part for boys. Right parts are much less common for boys. I am not sure when this convention developed, but it seems rather commonly excepted at least by the turn of the 20th century.

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Created: January 21, 2003
Last edited: 7:16 PM 12/15/2007