21 Iconic Hairstyles That Defined Eras

Certain hairstyles endure through the ages, while others fade into obscurity. Regardless of current trends, hairstyles serve as a mirror to our individuality and cultural identity. Discover a curated collection of iconic looks from the 1930s onward, featuring bold choices like the mullet and mohawk, as well as celebrity-inspired cuts that sparked global trends.

1930s

1. The Finger Wave: The 1930s embraced curls and waves, often regarded as the epitome of elegance. Women drew inspiration from Hollywood icons like Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, and Carole Lombard, who popularized short to medium-length wavy hairstyles designed to exude charm and allure.

1940s

2. The Veronica Lake: This 1940s Hollywood icon captivated audiences with her signature style—long, cascading blonde waves that draped over one eye. While Veronica Lake's look was iconic, many women adopted a more practical, shoulder-length version of her glamorous waves.

3. The Rosie the Riveter: During the wartime era, Rosie became a symbol of strength and resilience. Women often tied their long hair back and secured it with a bandanna, whether they were working in factories or managing households.

4. The Cary Grant: Hollywood once again shaped men's grooming trends with this polished hairstyle. Featuring a sharp side part and ample styling wax for a glossy finish, this cut exuded sophistication and charm, much like the legendary actor himself.

1950s

5. The Bouffant: The introduction of salon-sized hair dryers revolutionized styling, allowing for voluminous updos and blow-dried looks. The bouffant and beehive styles became synonymous with dramatic, towering silhouettes that defined the era.

6. The Bardot: Brigitte Bardot's influence extended beyond her films, as women everywhere sought to replicate her effortlessly tousled, long strawberry blonde locks. Her carefree style stood in stark contrast to the structured beehive, symbolizing a shift away from the restrained femininity of the time.

7. The Pompadour: As T-shirts and jeans became the go-to attire for young men, the pompadour haircut, championed by icons like James Dean and Elvis Presley, rose to prominence. This style featured a closely trimmed back, with longer hair on top and sides styled upward and backward using gel for a sleek, glossy finish. It embodied a rugged, timeless masculinity.

1960s

8. The Flip: This lively, youthful hairstyle dominated the 1960s, adored by countless women. Shoulder-length hair was lightly teased at the crown, with the ends curled outward using rollers or a curling iron. For those seeking extra volume, the flip was often paired with a bouffant, creating a fuller, more dramatic look. Mary Tyler Moore famously wore the flip on The Dick Van Dyke Show, while Jackie Kennedy opted for a more refined version. Its widespread appeal earned it nicknames like "beauty pageant hair" and "Miss America hair," as it became a staple for contestants.

9. The Pixie: With the rise of Twiggy, the 1960s saw a shift from pin-up curves to a slender, androgynous aesthetic. Women everywhere sought to replicate her iconic pixie cut, which reportedly took eight hours to perfect during its debut. This style featured short hair cropped above the ears, with slightly longer layers on top, framing the face with precision and elegance.

10. The Mop Top: The Beatles revolutionized pop culture in unprecedented ways, inspiring fans of all ages to adopt their signature shaggy hairstyle. Characterized by longer, untamed locks that flopped over the ears, the mop top became a symbol of youthful rebellion, also embraced by contemporaries like The Rolling Stones.

1970s

11. The Farrah Fawcett: Farrah Fawcett's legendary hairstyle, popularized through her role in Charlie's Angels, featured a soft, triangular shape at the crown with feathered layers flowing down the sides and back. This iconic look experienced a resurgence in the 2000s as part of a nostalgic revival of '70s and '80s fashion.

12. The No-Cut Haircut: The 1970s offered a reprieve for men who preferred to avoid the barber. Influenced by the era's counterculture, antiwar movements, or sheer convenience, men let their hair grow longer than ever before, embracing a natural, free-flowing aesthetic.

1980s

13. Rock Hair: The 1980s saw hairstyles heavily influenced by the music scene, particularly the rise of "hair bands." These bands, like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Bon Jovi, were known for their long, teased, or permed hair, a trend that captivated both men and women.

14. The Mullet: While its origins remain unclear, the mullet became a defining look of the 1980s. This style featured short, spiky, or feathered hair on the top and sides, paired with long, flowing locks at the back, creating a bold and unforgettable silhouette.

15. The Rat-Tail: A quirky trend of the '80s, the rat-tail involved cutting hair short everywhere except for a narrow strip at the nape of the neck. This strip, often 4 to 12 inches long, was sometimes braided, making it a distinctive and polarizing style among young men and women.

16. The Mohawk: Originating from Native American traditions, the Mohawk became a symbol of rebellion among punk rockers in the 1980s. This bold style, featuring spiked, shaved, and vividly colored hair, was a defiant statement against societal norms, embraced by antiestablishment youth in the UK and America.

17. The Meg Ryan: Meg Ryan's effortlessly chic, permed hairstyle in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally became a cultural phenomenon. For years, women flocked to salons requesting spiral curls, highlights, and layered cuts, inspired by the iconic look crafted by hairstylist Sally Hershberger.

1990s

18. The Rachel: Jennifer Aniston's character Rachel from the NBC sitcom Friends inspired a global hair craze in the mid-1990s. Her layered, medium-length cut, designed to frame the face and add volume, became a must-have style for women seeking a fresh, vibrant look.

19. The Fade: The early 1990s saw the rise of hip-hop culture, bringing the high-top fade haircut into the mainstream. Popularized by the rap duo Kid 'N Play, this style featured a flattop with the sides and back gradually tapered down to the skin. While predominantly embraced by African-American men, individuals from diverse backgrounds experimented with the look, often with varying degrees of success.

2000s

20. The Faux-Hawk: For those seeking the boldness of a Mohawk without fully committing, the faux-hawk emerged as a perfect alternative. By styling or shaving the sides of the hair, this look mimics the Mohawk's edgy appeal. It became a favorite among trendsetters of both genders in the early 2000s.

21. The Chelsea: Originating from punk rock culture, this haircut is named after London's Chelsea district, a hub for punk enthusiasts. Known as "the feather cut" in the UK, it involves shaving most of the head while leaving bangs and small sections on the sides intact. This unisex style continues to be a bold statement for those embracing alternative fashion.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen