Hair Care

Danny Kaye

     Although most men today don't seem to pay much attention to how they keep their hair, there was a time when most did, just as much as the clothes they wore. Getting regular haircuts and keeping your hair neat, clean and combed was the norm, whether you chose to put product in your hair or leave it natural. Keeping your hair neat was almost considered an essential, with very, very, few men letting their hair grow out to lengths that were not considered clean cut. 

     Styles varied from decade to decade, but the general concept remained the same, and it isn't until the mid and late 1960s that we see long hair on men, something which had been out of society since the 19th Century, and even then, hair was generally kept up to some degree. 

Clark Gable

     The general style is to have your hair cut short in the back and on the sides. You can ask a barber or stylist to go high and tight, and tell them what kind of shading you want. You can bring a picture of what you want as well. You'll also want to keep it long on the top, so you have something to comb. 

     Generally I recommend going to a barber, because they are trained to specifically cut men's hair, and they use clippers instead of scissors, however, there are some stylists who can do just as good of a job; the man I go to is a stylist, but gives me my haircuts more like a barber; better than many barbers I've been to actually. In general though, a barber should be better suited for your needs, but if you find a good stylist, keep to them; sometimes bringing a picture of the haircut you want also helps whoever is cutting your hair.

Something you can also do, although it is not necessary, is have them cut/shave a part onto your part, to make it more defined, like Clark Gable below:

     Typically your regular part should work though; I don't get my part helped at all, and it looks very nice. Your part should be straight, not jagged, and should look very neat and clean overall. 

     Your sideburns should be neatly kept, and if you're going for an older look, should be short, and your hair shouldn't touch your ears. This may require you to trim your sideburns yourself every now and then, but you should be fine. 

   
     As far as hair product is concerned, you'll want to avoid gel or spray; neither are that great, and there are better products for a better result. If you want your hair to be firm, use a pomade, either from Murray's Hair Glo Pomade or Dapper Man Pomade, although you can find it on eBay for a cheaper price. My personal favorite and preference however, is Brylcreem, which leaves hair soft and able to be restyled at will. You can go to Wal-Mart and get some for around $5.00 or $6.00. I used to use Vitalis Hair Tonic, a liquid solution, but found the Brylcreem to be superior. Avoid Groom & Clean; I found out from an older gentleman that it doesn't work nearly as well as Brylcreem, and the extra dollar or two for Brylcreem is worth it. 

Cary Grant

     As long as you maintain your hair and just follow vintage examples, you should be fine. Right now there's a retro/vintage craze going on, but most examples I see aren't very accurate, as they are modern interpretations, so I wouldn't follow them; instead, try to stay classic. 

     Also, just as a note, some men, not many, did not part their hair, rather opting to just comb it back. One such man was James Stewart in his early career, like in The Philadelphia Story. 

If you do choose to part your hair, which I hope you do, since it makes maintaining hair easier and fits the look of being neat, and of the era, there are different parts you can do; there are side parts, middle and upper, all depending on your hairline and what you would like done. If you're not one with much hair, keeping it neat and clean was still an essential, and men still combed it back, rather than forward. Never comb your hair forward. 

William Powell with a more upper, not quite middle, part. 

     Whatever you may choose, rest assured that your hair is a very important part of your impression, one of the most important, and if you get that right, people will notice. That, and it'll probably look nice. Not many men take as much care of their hair as in times past, so people notice neatly kept hair that looks good. You shouldn't plaster it down, but it should be managed well. It should have volume, if you can. If you have curly or wavy hair, you can create a very nice look with product. 

Dick Powell

     If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to say something here or below. May great favor be upon your head of hair in your searches! And remember, your hair can look suave and debonair! 

Cary Grant