Ever wondered about the history of armpit shaving? I bet you haven’t given much thought to the fashion trend of shaving. We take it for granted that all women, since the dawn of time hit puberty and start to shave. The truth couldn’t be anymore different. Shaving has always been a cultural fashion trend which changes through the epochs and centuries. It will change again. It might not be for another hundred years, but it will change again. Here's the history of armpit shaving for your enjoyment.
1. Ancient Egyptians Went a Little Overboard
Egyptian men and women in ancient times were very much into cleanliness. They saw the hair on their heads as unhygienic, and with lice and not exactly the best shampoo four thousand years ago, they were right. They also saw the clean-shaven look as fashionable. The ancient Egyptian era lasted for thousands of years. The shaving hype wasn’t always in fashion. There was a time when men had mustaches and pharaohs grew long beards that they braided and then dusted with gold. The trend of women shaving their heads for fashion is actually coming back in style for those bold enough to embrace it. I guess even four-thousand-year-old fashion trends can be retro.
2. Ancient Roman Sexism
Well, life for the ancient Roman woman of wealth was really no different than today. Ancient Roman men could shave whatever they wanted, if they wanted to. Ancient Roman women, if they were of the upper class were expected to shave their upper lip, legs, armpits, well, you get the picture.
3. The 1700s
The 1700s was a nice time for women. At least when it came to shaving trends. To shave or not to shave, that is the question. The answer, literally do whatever you want because nobody cared about your body hair. Men still fell over women and women still made friends with other women whether or not they shaved or what parts of their body they shaved. You have to wonder if some type of women’s empowerment was behind the, “no, not shaving my legs this year” stance of the 18th century.
4. Shavers Were for Men
Sure shaving was in during the ancient Roman and Egyptian empires for women, but in the 1700s and 1800s shavers were marketed for men.
5. Probably All of the Women on the Titanic Had Hairy Armpits
Prior to 1915, it was scandalous to show your underarms. In 1915, the risque sleeveless dress was invented. The fashion models of 1915 showed the dress with shaved underarms. Fashion magazines insisted you must have your armpits shaved in order to wear it. However, legs still remained unshaven in 1915 and for decades thereafter.
6. WWII Was All about Legs
Pinups to remind men fighting combat of the women back home they were fighting for became a fashion trend during WWII. It also liberated women’s legs that were trapped behind the long dresses for so long. For the average, typical woman (as in not Betty Grable) she still shaved her legs. The war effort was on and money had to be saved by any means. Nylon stopped being produced and so women begun to shave their legs.
Where do you think shaving will take us in the next twenty years? Do you follow current shaving trends?
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did women start shaving their armpits?
- Women began shaving their armpits in the early 20th century, mainly around the 1910s when sleeveless dresses became popular.
- Why did armpit shaving become popular among women?
- Armpit shaving gained popularity due to changing fashion trends and advertisements promoting smooth skin as a beauty standard.
- Did women shave their armpits in ancient times?
- No, armpit shaving was not a common practice in ancient times and became widespread only in the modern era.
- How did advertising influence armpit shaving?
- Advertisements from the 1920s linked shaved armpits with femininity and cleanliness, encouraging more women to shave.
- Are there cultural differences in armpit shaving?
- Yes, some cultures embrace armpit shaving as a norm, while others may not emphasize or practice it.
- What tools were originally used for armpit shaving?
- Early armpit shaving involved razors and sometimes early versions of safety razors designed for delicate skin.
- Is armpit hair removal linked to hygiene?
- While often perceived that way, armpit shaving is more related to aesthetic preferences than hygiene.
- How has the perception of armpit shaving changed over time?
- Perceptions have shifted with some modern movements encouraging embracing natural body hair.
- Are there any health concerns with armpit shaving?
- Shaving can sometimes cause irritation or ingrown hairs if not done carefully.
- Do all women shave their armpits today?
- No, whether to shave armpits is a personal choice, and many women either shave, trim, or leave their hair natural.