Are You Sporting A “Recession” Haircut?
Posted by: Leonora Epstein
Filed in:
style
10:45AM, Wednesday September 30th 2009
We’ve jokingly talked before about why women cut their hair, but here’s a historical example we didn’t really consider: war and its economic impact. The U.K.‘s Telegraph recently reprinted a 1939 article dealing with trends in women’s hairstyles.
Back then, we learn, ladies were switching to short styles out of practicality and thrift: “Women who had cultivated romantic coiffures for which they had grown their hair 12 inches, are having seven of those inches cut off. Hairdressing is returning instead of hair-building.”
So, how have our thoughts about going short in times of economic crisis changed since the ‘40s?
The cut detailed by the Telegraph, which would “reduce their visits to the hairdresser,” certainly seems manageable for months at a time (the original recessionistas!). Yet, do modern styles lend themselves to money-saving? It would seem to us that cropped cuts these days certainly seem more high maintenance (we’re looking at you Miss Katie I-Cut-My-Hair-Every-Three-Days Holmes).
One thing’s for sure, getting your locks chopped is no longer such a big whoop, because apparently back in 1939, this was the deal: “Hairdressers have wanted this change for months, but it has taken a war to persuade women to cut their hair.”
What about you? Have you altered your hairdo or haircut schedule in reaction to the recession? [Telegraph.co.uk]
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
sadie
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 10:40 am: [report]
I have had the same do my entire life, recession or not. I have long curly hair (to the middle of my back). I guess it’s economical because it costs nothing to maintain, just shampoo and condition. I have never once had a haircut.
Lynn
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 12:27 pm: [report]
I have stopped dying it, but it isn’t really the recession because I still have my job. I don’t know, I just got tired of it all and saving the extra $40 isn’t such a bad deal
Long-Bones
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 12:36 pm: [report]
I think I did this unconsciously—I cut off all my long hair in March and haven’t looked back. Then again my new haircut suits my face in a way that I hadn’t imagined before and I can make it edgy or soft with just a couple products so its super-versitile.
ootie
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 01:39 pm: [report]
Actually, a ton of my friends have gotten really drastic, much shorter haircuts in the past few months. The only way I could connect it to the recession is maybe they don’t have as much money to spend on new clothes, so they are looking for other things to update their appearances? After all, one $40 haircut costs a lot less than a new fall wardrobe.
blackrose1o1
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 02:32 pm: [report]
I have had my hair at various short lengths in the past few years. Right now it’s the shortest its ever been and I love it. It doesn’t have anything to to with the economy though, I just like short hair.
MarieMacCee
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 02:47 pm: [report]
@ Sadie,
sooo jealous!
Nicaly
wrote on September 30 2009 @ 06:58 pm: [report]
I cut my hair from mid-back to layers between jaw and shoulder length. That wasn’t due to the recession but not having it cut since before graduation in May IS due financials.
KeshKesh7
wrote on October 1 2009 @ 05:47 pm: [report]
I’m growing my hair out, actually, because I got my pixie professionally cut lmao. It’s cheaper to just let it grow out, and now that it’s a layered bob, I can toss some moose in it and make it really big and curly without much effort, or pull it back in chic little pigtails. I also bleached and dyed my hair back to my natural color (kind of a dark ashy blonde, from a dark, dark brunette).
ilovemazzy
wrote on October 1 2009 @ 06:02 pm: [report]
I cut my hair short about a month ago. I went to the Joseph Martin salon in Beverly Hills. It was cut by a student and teacher, they took off about eleven inches! It was FREE and its short enough that my baby doesn’t pull on it anymore
jessicaroks
wrote on October 1 2009 @ 07:42 pm: [report]
You betch your buckaroos I have. When I don’t have money, especially now when every penny counts, my hair grows out. I sport a long ‘do and unfortunately my blonde highlights grow out giving me a noticable stripe (we’re talking 6-7 inches right now.) I’ve tried to make up for it by having a friend trim the dead ends and using lemon juice and sun exposure to try and highlight my stripe…Budget affects Bouffant.