2006-10-21 20:53:19 · 19 answers · asked by Kgirl 2 in Beauty & Style ➔ Hair
While armpit shaving gained popularity in 1915, it wasn't until the time of World War II that leg shaving became popular. Why? "The famous WWII pinup of Betty Grable displaying her awesome gams. Showing off one's legs became a patriotic act. That plus shorter skirts and sheer stockings, which looked dorky with leg hair beneath, made the anti-hair pitch an easy sell."
2006-10-21 21:01:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dean 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Straight Dope answered a similar question several years back with help from an article entitled "Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture" by Christine Hope. According to Hope's research, businesses began "encouraging" American women to shave their underarms around 1915, when sleeveless fashions became popular. Harper's Bazaar featured an ad stating: "Summer Dress and Modern Dancing combine to make necessary the removal of objectionable hair." Yet another revenue stream made possible by human insecurity.
The war against nature's leg warmers came a bit later, as changes in clothing allowed women to display more than just an ankle. According to Hope, convincing women to shave their legs was more challenging, so advertisers pulled out all the stops. "Some advertisers as well as an increasing number of fashion and beauty writers harped on the idea that female leg hair was a curse."
The Straight Dope offers another theory for the surge in leg shaving in the 1940s -- Betty Grable. The pin-up's epic legs may have started a trend. Flaunting one's gams was suddenly "in." Since short shorts and woolly limbs don't mix, it was goodbye to hairy legs and hello to something equally pleasant -- razor burn.
2006-10-22 04:03:36 · answer #2 · answered by Jeremysmom05 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay since some one answered the same time I did with the same answer I found another website for you. I read a little seemed to have more information on it. YOu might want to try that one out to if you want more information..
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_012.html
The Straight Dope answered a similar question several years back with help from an article entitled "Caucasian Female Body Hair and American Culture" by Christine Hope. According to Hope's research, businesses began "encouraging" American women to shave their underarms around 1915, when sleeveless fashions became popular. Harper's Bazaar featured an ad stating: "Summer Dress and Modern Dancing combine to make necessary the removal of objectionable hair." Yet another revenue stream made possible by human insecurity.
The war against nature's leg warmers came a bit later, as changes in clothing allowed women to display more than just an ankle. According to Hope, convincing women to shave their legs was more challenging, so advertisers pulled out all the stops. "Some advertisers as well as an increasing number of fashion and beauty writers harped on the idea that female leg hair was a curse."
The Straight Dope offers another theory for the surge in leg shaving in the 1940s -- Betty Grable. The pin-up's epic legs may have started a trend. Flaunting one's gams was suddenly "in." Since short shorts and woolly limbs don't mix, it was goodbye to hairy legs and hello to something equally pleasant -- razor burn.
2006-10-22 04:03:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously it started when the feminine leg became visible, probably around the twenties of last century. In the age of the Charleston the skirts were short and sexy and women felt that their legs looked more attractive without the hair. I think they are right. Is that not the same reason why many men shave off their facial hair?
2006-10-22 04:10:33 · answer #4 · answered by Hi y´all ! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard it started around the 1920's. Women started shaving their armpits because sleeves were getting shorter. They say that some advertisers were telling people that hair on women was a curse. LOL Then in the 1940's because skirts started getting shorter. The pin-up models started it, showing off their sexy gams. After that it was the "in" thing to do. Thus creating a lifelong trend. I don't think it'll ever go away either. Who really does want all that extra fur anyway-the downside, hello razer burn!
2006-10-22 04:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by cjb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know I shave because it looks more lady like when you wear skirts or anything revealing the leg! Most men find it sexy to rub against silky smooth legs!
2006-10-22 04:38:00 · answer #6 · answered by truetaurus86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no clue when it started but- Have you ever f*cking seen a lady with nasty hair all over her legs? Did you think it looked good? Well... I have to say that I think (?) quite a few fellas and ladies would agree that it is not exactly attractive. And besides, it feels better to be smooth in my opinion.
2006-10-22 04:36:09 · answer #7 · answered by jen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cant tell u when but i can tell u why, we shave so we dont look like gorillas or big foot lol!
2006-10-22 04:07:17 · answer #8 · answered by naney_262 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know when it began, but I like to shave them because I like how smooth they feel.
2006-10-22 04:01:12 · answer #9 · answered by mslilbit24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A review of the various hair removal methods is available at http://tinyurl.com/ob6tt
2006-10-22 20:38:59 · answer #10 · answered by liga 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋