The Middy Thread

[C-dot]

There was a suggestion in the Vintage Haircut thread about starting a thread dedicated entirely to the Middy haircut - How it is cut, styled, etc.

The Middy was the most popular haircut in the 1940's. The top and sides were kept shorter than the back hair for easy styling of rolls and bangs, the back hair was grown as long as desired and cut in a "U" shape. Here is a diagram:



I wear a Middy myself. Let's post questions, results - Anything Middy related!

[Amy Jeanne]

"The top and sides were kept shorter than the back hair for easy styling of rolls and bangs, the back hair was grown as long as desired and cut in a "U" shape."

I can't help it -- I keep picturing a mullet!! . But seriously, can you give us an example of your hair not styled so we can see how it's cut on a real person?

[BlameOnMame]

Does anyone know who cuts a good middy in the Los Angeles area??
I went to Frenchy's thinking they would know what I was talking about, but to my surprise, they don't know a whole lot more about vintage hair than other salons. I did my best to explain it and they did their best as well, but it wasn't exactly what I wanted.
I do everything hair-wise myself, but I really like to avoid cutting it myself. That doesn't always end well.

[BlameOnMame]

....Although I'm a ditz and it doesn't look like anyone who is posting in here actually lives anywhere near LA ..
Oh well, maybe one of them will stumble in.

[Helysoune]

See how it's layered? This came out a lot shorter than I intended it, but it still gives the basic idea of what's meant by that description.

Styled at this length, after a quick pincurl set, produced this:

[23SkidooWithYou]

I *think* I'll be starting with more of a longish middy style. I don't wear bangs so I'll be doing a side part on my left and I'm sure the right will cooperate and wave up-n-over since I have a wonderful cowlick there. (another reason I stay away from bangs)

These are some of my ideas but I'm not sure they are achieved with a middy cut. I understand the U shape to the back, but is this layered toward the bottom in the rear? What was the advice about the layers being done at even # inch intervals so they fall correctly?


This is probably a fantasy!

Does it look like this layers in the back? I almost think it has to. Is this one probably closest to a styled middy?

Is this still a middy? Will something this short limit various sets and styles? I would think no rolls with this one.

sorry for the pic sizes I don't know how to shrink them when I post the link

[C-dot]

The Middy is by no means a scientific formula! There are many variations, depending on the lady. Thanks Helysoune for the great pictures!

Amy Jeanne - In theory, it should be a mullet I'll get some pictures tonight of my unstyled Middy.

23SkidooWithYou - Bette most definitely has a Middy in that picture, and her back hair is layered; Rita's hair was quite long, but you can definitely see some long layers in front. 1940's styles all require some degree of layering, even Veronica Lake's peekaboo style.
(Picture the typical curly hair problem - It grows into a triangle shape when left alone. With layers, the curls all sit graduated. The same thing would happen to Bette and Rita's hair if they didn't have layers.)


EDIT: Wet hair pictures to show layers. I'm much too tired to crop them now, but oh well:





Notice the graduation of the front layers, and the U curve in the back.

[Claireg]

Hi guys
Bear with me as i try to get the hang of posting pics.
If it doesnt work ill try again later.

Here are some pics of me trying different hairstyles with my middy cut.
This is how the stylist styled it - very cool but not very retro!

here is a photo i loved and tried to emulate!!

And here are the results - not too bad but I need loads of practise!

[Claireg]

oh and i will try to take some unstyled photos asap. my hair is dead straight - is yours too c_dot? so its good to show you what it looks like.
Mind you my stylist didnt cut enough off the bangs (fringe in this part of the world!) otherwise its pretty true to the middy diagram. Apart from the back which is growing out from a bob so its too short for the u yet.
Its not too bad looking when unstyled - quite rock chick!

[C-dot]

Yeah! I had a variation of this cut when I was a rock chick, albeit longer and choppier It's not reminiscent of a mullet at all, fortunately.

Yes, my hair is dead straight. Makes it extremely easy for me to cut, but curling can be a pain in the backside.

I do like the way you've styled yours, Clareig Practice makes perfect!