Revisiting The Coolest Retro Hairstyles
Step into the time machine of style as we explore the groovy retro hairstyles that once ruled the fashion scene.
From the dazzling Farrah Fawcett feathered locks of the '70s to the disco-era afro sported by Pam Grier, these vintage looks, embraced by celebrities like David Bowie and Cher, still inspire trendsetters today.
The Afro
The Afro hairstyle, prominent in the 60s, showcased voluminous, rounded hair, symbolizing African pride and cultural identity. Achieved by combing or picking the hair outward, it became an empowering symbol of the civil rights movement and cultural revolution.
This iconic style embraced natural beauty and was a powerful statement of self-expression and equality.
The Flip
The Flip hairdo gained popularity in the 1960s and early 1970s. This youthful and playful style featured outwardly curled ends, creating a flipped appearance.
To achieve it, hair was typically rolled under with a round brush while blow-drying, and sometimes, heated rollers were used to create the signature flip at the ends.
The Buzz Cut
The Buzz haircut, popularized in the military and later embraced by counterculture in the 1960s, features short, uniform-length hair all over the head. Its inspiration stems from practicality and rebellion against conventional norms.
To create this low-maintenance look, use clippers with a guard set to the desired length, achieving a clean, minimalist appearance.
The Poodle Cut
The Poodle haircut, popular in the 1950s, drew inspiration from the dog breed's fluffy appearance. This quirky hairdo featured tightly curled hair on top and short on the sides.
Achieving it required perming or setting the hair with rollers and then styling with hairspray for a fun and curly retro look.
The Conk
The Conk hairstyle, popularized in the 1920s to 1960s, was a hairstyle primarily among African American men. It involved straightening tightly curled hair using harsh chemicals, resulting in a sleek, shiny look.
The style gained prominence during the Harlem Renaissance and became a symbol of Black identity and resistance against societal norms.
Feathered Hair
Feathered hairstyles, characterized by layered, bouncy hair with outward flicks, gained immense popularity in the 1970s. Actress Farrah Fawcett's iconic feathered hairstyle from the TV show Charlie's Angels helped play a pivotal role in its widespread adoption.
Her glamorous look became a trendsetter, inspiring countless women to emulate the style, making it a defining trend of the era.
The Mop Top
The Mop Top hairstyle was a trendy, iconic haircut in the 1960s, characterized by a bowl-shaped cut with bangs. The Beatles played a significant role in popularizing this style during their rise to fame in the early '60s.
Their charming looks and global influence catapulted the Mop Top into a worldwide phenomenon.
Upright Pin Curls
Retro hairstyles from bygone eras are making a stylish comeback, and one classic look that's regaining popularity is upright pin curls. These elegant curls rose to prominence in the 1940s and 1950s, adorned by Hollywood icons like Veronica Lake and Rita Hayworth.
Their timeless charm and glamorous appeal have inspired a new generation to embrace this vintage hairstyle, adding a touch of old-school sophistication to modern fashion trends.
The Bouffant
The Bouffant hairstyle, iconic in the 60s, features voluminous, high-rise hair. Achieved by backcombing and teasing the crown while leaving the sides sleek, it exudes elegance and sophistication.
This fashionable hairdo captured the essence of the swinging '60s and remains an emblem of retro glamour. Celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot popularized the bouffant, influencing its widespread adoption and making it an enduring symbol of the era's style and flair.
The Up-Do
The iconic Up-do hairstyle of the 1960s was characterized by elegant, voluminous hair piled high on the head. Achieved through teasing and backcombing to add height and structure, it was often adorned with hair accessories like headbands or ribbons.
This classic look exuded timeless sophistication and remains an emblem of retro glamor.
The Mod Cut
The Mod cut, a popular hairstyle in the 1960s, was most common among men during the Mod era. Mick Jagger popularized the look with his signature shaggy, textured cut.
Celebrity pop stars such as Harry Styles and Justin Bieber draw inspiration from Jagger's iconic hairstyle, giving it a contemporary twist.
Rock-A-Billy Or Rivoting Rosie
The classic "Riveting Rosie" hairstyle, also known as Rockabilly Rosie, was popularized by the iconic Rosie the Riveter character from the 1940s.
It features a rolled and pinned-up hairstyle with a bandana or headscarf, exuding strength and femininity. This timeless look was inspired by the real-life "Rosie the Riveters," women who worked during World War II.
The Classic Bombshell
The classic bombshell hairstyle, popularized in the 1940s and 1950s, epitomized women's allure and glamour. Voluminous curls or waves, achieved with hot rollers, curling irons, or pin curls, created the signature look.
This style exudes timeless elegance and continues to be embraced by modern fashion models, singers, and actresses, maintaining its status as a symbol of beauty and sophistication.
The Mullet
The mullet hairstyle, renowned for its short front and long back, gained prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Its popularity was fueled by stars like Billy Ray Cyrus, David Bowie, and Patrick Swayze, who proudly flaunted the distinctive look. Despite its occasional resurgences, the mullet remains a nostalgic symbol of that era.
The Pompadour
The Pompadour, among the grooviest hairstyles, involves sweeping the hair upwards and back while creating volume at the front. This style became a sensation during the 1950s and experienced a revival in recent years.
Renowned celebrities like Elvis Presley and James Dean rocked the Pompadour, adding a touch of retro charm to their looks.
The Beehive
The Beehive hairdo, popular in the 1960s, featured a towering, cone-shaped style with sleek sides and a rounded top.
To create it, backcomb hair at the crown for volume, smooth it over, and secure it with pins and hairspray. This iconic vintage look epitomized the fashion-forward and daring spirit of the era.
The Ivy League
The Ivy League haircut, popularized in the 1950s, was epitomized by actors Paul Newman and James Dean. This classic, neat style features short sides and a slightly longer, combed top.
Modern celebrities like Matt Damon still embrace the timeless charm of the Ivy League, making it a hairstyle that transcends generations with its sophisticated appeal.
The Caesar Cut
The Caesar haircut is a short, horizontally straight cut with a fringe inspired by Julius Caesar's iconic style.
It gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, with famous figures like George Clooney, George Harrison, and Johnny Depp sporting it in recent times. Its timeless appeal continues to be favored today by celebrities and trendsetters.
The Ducktail
The Ducktail hairstyle, popular in the 50s and 60s, features slicked-back sides and a distinct tail-like flip at the back.
To achieve it, comb the sides tightly back, leaving a defined center. Apply pomade to hold and shape the tail with a comb. Elvis Presley and James Dean were renowned for flaunting this stylish look.
The Double Bun
Actress Carrie Fisher became synonymous with the double-bun hairstyle after introducing it as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).
The unique and endearing look became an instant hit, forever linking Fisher to the beloved character and Star Wars franchise and making the double-bun style a cultural statement.
Braids And Corn Rows
African-American braids gained popularity in the 60s and 70s, especially in Hollywood. Celebrities like Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier showcased these elegant and culturally significant hairstyles.
Braids were more than a fashion statement. Because of the intricate patterns and versatility, they became a powerful symbol of African heritage and identity, inspiring countless people and influencing fashion trends.
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks have ancient origins, dating back to various cultures like African tribes and Hindu ascetics.
In the 1970s, Bob Marley's embrace of dreadlocks as a Rastafarian symbol of spiritual connection and rebellion greatly popularized the hairstyle worldwide. His influential music and advocacy spread the cultural significance of dreadlocks across generations.
The Pageboy Cut
The Pageboy haircut became fashionable in the 1950s and 1960s as a unisex style commonly worn by both young girls and boys.
The haircut is characterized by its even-length, chin-length or shoulder-length bob with blunt bangs. It is created by cutting the hair straight and symmetrical, emphasizing its clean and classic look.
The Mohican Cut
The Mohican haircut gained prominence in the 70s, inspired by the traditional hairstyle of the Mohican Native American tribe. It became a symbol of rebellion and counter-culture, popularized by punk rock and subversive fashion.
Its distinctive shaved sides and a long strip of hair on top reflected a daring and defiant attitude.
Electrified (Frizzy) Hair
The ultra-frizzy hairstyles of the 70s became a classic and popular look, embodying the era's exuberance and free-spiritedness.
Legendary stars like Diana Ross, Cher, and Farrah Fawcett contributed to its fame, making big, voluminous, and wild hair a fashion statement. The style symbolized the carefree and glamorous essence of the decade.
The Vidal Sassoon "Five-Point-Cut"
Vidal Sassoon's iconic hairstyle from the 70s was the "Five-Point Cut," featuring a sharp, geometric look with five distinct points.
It involved precise cutting and shaping to achieve its modern edge. Celebrities like Mary Quant and Nancy Kwan popularized the trend, making it a symbol of the era's bold and innovative fashion.
The Comb Over With Hard Part
Classic popular retro hairstyles, like the hard part combover of the 70s, continue to make a stylish comeback today. This suave look involves shaving a distinct part into the hair, creating a sharp, defined line.
The hair is then combed over with precision, exuding a timeless charm that effortlessly merges vintage flair with contemporary appeal.
Slicked Hair
Slicked hair trend peaked in the 1950s and 1980s. It involves combing back hair using pomade or gel for a polished, glossy look.
The style accentuates facial features and exudes sophistication. Its revival in recent years showcases its timeless appeal, making it a classic choice for those seeking a sharp yet suave-looking appearance. Stars like Music Composer Lawrence Welk were among the first to model the hairstyle.
The "Artichoke"
The Artichoke hairstyle, or pinwheel, emerged as a 1960s sensation crafted by the renowned celebrity hairdresser Louis Alexandre Raimon.
This revolutionary updo showcased a spiral hair arrangement reminiscent of artichoke petals, transforming hairstyling during the era. Icons of the silver screen, like Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly, became synonymous with this timeless hairdo.
The Stack Perm
The perm hairstyle gained immense popularity in the '70s, becoming a defining trend of the era. Donna Summer, a celebrated celebrity, was renowned for her stunning perms and diverse wig collection, elevating her signature look.
Its voluminous curls and waves captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide, making it a timeless symbol of the vibrant and dynamic 1970s culture.
