Figure 1.--especilly after World War II, that the boys in France usually parted their hair on the left and the girls on the right. There were no definitive rule on this and boys could be seen with both left and right parts. Thus we can see images of boys with right parts and girls with left parts, although this is not the most common approach. Source: "Les Cabiers dy Jardin des modes" (MMT: Paris, 1958).

Hair styles as well as other fashions changed in France after World War II. After World War I, short hair became increasingly common for boys, even younger boys. Working class families did generally follow the left for boys and right side for girls convention. The affluent class was less likely to follow this convention. One French reader tells us that with the short hair that was common for boys in the 20th century, especilly after World War II, that the boys in France usually parted their hair on the left and the girls on the right. There were no definitive rule on this and boys could be seen with both left and right parts. Today this old convention has not changed. The girl always parts her hair on the right and the boys normaly on the left although one can find some boys with part in right and this is regardless of social class.

19th Century

Early 20th Century (1900-19)

Inter-war and World War II Period (1919-45)

After World War I, short hair became increasingly common for boys, even younger boys. Working class families did generally follow the left for boys and right side for girls convention. The affluent class was less likely to follow this convention. A French reader reports that it is easy to observe this in French magazines and pohotographs.

Post-World War II Period (1945-2000)

With the short hair that was common for boys in the 20th century, especially after World War II, that the boys in France usually parted their hair on the left and the girls on the right. There were no definitive rule on this and boys could be seen with both left and right parts. Thus we can see images of boys with right parts and girls with left parts as seen in the 1958 image here (figure 1). This was not, however, the most common pattern. The left part for boys, however, was much more common. A French reader tells us, "It seems that in the more traditional French familires that one found more commonly boys with right parts. This convention was a new fashion coming from World War I. Educated families sometimes are not as willing to follow fashion dictates. It is true that perhaps 90 percent of French boys had left parts. There were many exceptions. I was nor raised with my brother. As boys I had a righjt part and he had a left opart. I only was informed at age 12 or 13 years old about the practice of this optional rule when I moved back with my parents and brother."

21st Century

Today this old convention has not changed. The girl always parts her hair on the right and the boys normaly on the left although one can find some boys with part in right and this is regardless of social class.

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Main French page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [French Glossary] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: July 18, 2003
Last edited: July 21, 2003