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Why Fashion Changed from Beards to Clean-Shaven

February 21st, 2009 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

This is something I hadn’t heard before, and it makes very good sense.

Doughboys needed a good shave.

Doughboys needed a good shave.

As we know, the fashion for American and European men in the 19th century and before was to wear a full beard. By the mid-20th century, the clean-shaven look was in. What caused the transition?

According to How Stuff Works, the answer is World War 1.

To make a gas mask fit properly, you need a shave. A beard would let gas in. When the conquering heroes returned home, they were clean-shaven and voila, an enduring fashion trend was born.

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