When did the practice of shaving armpits and legs become vogue in our culture? What was the purpose of this practice?

Similar questions: practice shaving armpits legs vogue culture purpose.

Hair removal was practiced since at least Ancient Sumeria (earlier than 3000 BCE) but in our culture it became stylish as women's fashion changed drastically after WWI and the flabber age was born. Though it wasn't a must. I think it really took off after WWII when the GI''s returnedd.

Brothels in Europe favored shaving armpits and pubic area to prevent crabs and lice. Daily bathing wasn't really the norm in the US until probably the late 50's and early 60's, and shaving armpits tended to prevent boils which had to be lanced.In Western medieval culture women went through a vogue period where they removed eyebrows and shaved their hairlines back to make their foreheads seem higher.

Flapper not flabber. Oy Thank you for pointing that out Gary.

HEY Gary, Thank you ever so much. This question arose last evening when some of us were watching "Chicago". Someone asked that question as to if flappers shaved or not, and none of us knew.

:) THANKS! I am going to have to book mark this spot. Sincerely, srcanchaser/ arizona srcanchaser 5 months ago .

OH. Sorry. :) , Max :)srcanchaserarizona srcanchaser 5 months ago .

Used to not happen; then the prosperity of the twenties combined with the safety razor and a fad was born. Fact is, Mr. King Gillette shared his invention with the U.S. Army and all those doughboys in WWI got a razor (there being no barbers around the trenches in France) to shave with. They came home already addicted customers.It was only 2-5 years for that to flow over to women, too.

HEY! Thank you Danielpauldavis. Great info.

Knowledge that we allll need to know. :) A few of us were watching a DVD of Chicago last evening and the question of armpit shaving came up...thanks again! Srcanchaser, arizona srcanchaser 5 months ago .

The nurses, talking to the girls about puberty, said that removing the hair also means less places for bacteria to attach...which makes the bad body odor.

WEll. Now. THAT makes sense, too.

:) thank you. :) srcanchaser 5 months ago .

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.