Fashionable Hair over the Years

Summary

Hair fashion trends have evolved significantly over time, influencing societal norms and personal grooming habits, particularly regarding body hair removal for women.

Abstract

The article discusses the changing trends in hair fashion, emphasizing that beyond hairstyles, societal expectations regarding body hair have shifted dramatically. It notes regional differences, such as European women not shaving their legs, while Americans typically do. The piece touches on the taboo of female facial hair and recounts an incident where a girl was mocked for unshaven armpits, illustrating the lasting impact of such experiences on personal grooming choices. Historically, during England's Regency era, the fashion was quite the opposite, with women even using mouse pelts to enhance the appearance of underarm hair.

Opinions

The author suggests that hair removal practices are heavily influenced by fashion.
There is a cultural disparity between Europe and America regarding leg shaving.
The author expresses that societal norms dictate that female facial hair is unacceptable.
An incident at a pool highlights the social stigma associated with armpit hair on women.
The author reveals a personal impact from the societal pressure to remove armpit hair.
The historical example of using mouse pelts during the Regency era in England is presented to show the extremes of past fashion trends.

Fashionable Hair over the Years

Mouse pelt, anyone?

Fashions in hair have changed dramatically over the years.

I don’t mean hairstyles. Your other hair.

European women don’t shave their legs, but Americans do. Why? Fashion.

When my mom asked a cousin what she’d done to remove her mustache, the cousin denied ever having had one. Facial hair for women is a huge fashion DON’T.

What about armpit hair? I vividly recall a scene at the pool when teenagers mercilessly mocked a girl who didn’t shave her armpits. To this day, I won’t wear a bathing suit or tank top with unshaven underarms.

Back in England’s Regency era (when George III talked to trees and his son ran the country), hairy armpits were the fashion. Women not blessed with naturally abundant underarm hair wore mouse pelts under their arms.

Shaving looks good by comparison.