The early permanent waves given in beauty shops used a contraption that looked like it was from outer space, a stand with multiple electric wires attached. It had clips on the ends of the wires that hooked onto the small rollers that held your hair tightly wound to heat them. Once attached, I always wondered what would happen if an earthquake came right in the middle of my perm. Would I be able to get away from the machine or be stuck in the beauty parlor forever looking like an alien who had just landed?
Talking about beauty shops: why was it if you had curly hair, you wanted your hair straightened; but if you had straight hair, you wanted a perm so you could have curls. My husband loves to ask…so, what is permanent about your perms?…especially when you go back every three months to get another one.
Hairstyles have changed through the years, remember Shirley Temple? When I was young, ringlets were in style. This required my Mom to put my freshly shampooed and permed hair on small rollers or tie it up with rags. No electric curling irons existed then but my mom had used curling irons when younger that could be heated on the wood or coal stove to do her hair in Marcell waves. She had to be careful as she did her hair not to singe it.
I remember when you wouldn’t think of going to church or town without a nice hat and fancy gloves. They were necessary fashion accessories. Easter Sunday was an occasion to buy a new bonnet that had to match your new dress. As I look back at my old photos, I have to laugh at how strange I look with my small hat, its attached flowers or feathers and veil. The only hat I wear these days is a large brimmed straw hat to keep the sun off my face while walking outside.
Clothing fashions have changed lots over the years. When I was in school, girls and women always wore dresses at home, school or work. Slacks or shorts, could only be worn at home. The only variation to dresses was the length of the skirts depending on the current style. Fashion still dictates what we wear and what hairstyles are popular. Today, it seems sloppy or casual is in style.