We all know the old saying that what was once popular will come back around, especially when it comes to fashion. We’ve seen paisley come back, red lipsticks and fur collars on coats, even overalls have come back around.
Most recently there has been talk of low-rise jeans sneaking back into the market with reactions divided between horrified and thrilled.
But come-backs aren’t just relegated to clothing; body types as well as makeup and hair styles are also cyclical and you may see them become fashionable again a few times in your lifetime.
The great thing about this is that if you’re looking to switch things up and stand out, looking back over the last few decades and choosing a hair style based on a popular cut then can definitely work. We’re going to go through a short list of popular men’s styles by decade, and who knows – you might just be the next trend setter.
1940’s
We’re going to take it way back to a vintage style. The 50’s and 60’s were quite similar, so we’ll begin in the 40’s – with the slightly more conservative look that many men wear today. This is when the idea of the nuclear family was hitting full stride.
The 40’s was a popular time for men’s hair to look polished, and product was important. They combed hair back off of the forehead and up the sides, keeping it slightly longer on top. The difference between this style and the style of the next decade was that hair was meant to look low-key and tame, instead of puffed up and attention-grabbing. This look let on that the wearer was a well-groomed, controlled man with sophisticated style.
1960’s
The 60’s were a time full of rebellion, with Rock and Roll coming on to the scene, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam war. With all the turmoil going on, it was a great time for rebellion to influence hairstyles.
Elvis, Marlon Brando, and Cary Grant were big influencers. The pompadour style – originally a woman’s haircut from the 1700’s – was common and created a huge market for pomades!
Pompadours have a vintage, bad-boy feel to them, with medium-length hair swept back from the forehead and the sides pulled up toward the center.
1970’s
Surfing and the beach life were big in the ‘70s, with long hair – and facial hair – on trend. Mustaches (think Burt Reynolds) were popular, as long as scruffy beards.
These days it might be hard to get away with the somewhat scraggly ‘70s look, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let the length influence your style. Shoulder-length and wavy, reminiscent of California beaches, is the best way to interpret this era.
1980’s
There was a lot going on in the ‘80s, and it’s definitely reflected in the fashion of the day. Seemingly opposing styles, such as the Punk mohawks, were up against mullets. Pompadours and the “wet” look made a brief comeback. And, most reminiscent as one of Michael Jackson’s iconic looks, the jheri curl was everywhere.
Each of these styles communicates a very different vibe, so choose carefully! They’ve come back around a few times and have been updated since. Punk in particular encompasses a wide variety of haircuts and colors. Even mullets are relatively respected these days as interesting and unique instead of trashy.
1990’s
This decade might be a little too close for comfort, even with the possibility of low-rise jeans coming back. N’Sync, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Will Smith – there were countless male icons who are still influential today. But the hair styles are still a bit cringe –worthy.
Perhaps the most popular was the ear-lobe length, middle part that was common on blondes. As far as we know it doesn’t have a name, but it’s basically a bowl cut with a middle part.
Other options include frosted tips, cornrows, the Caesar, afros, and the now-popular waves. With the past not too far behind us, it’s easy to wrinkle your nose at any of these styles. But if you find the right barber or men’s stylist, they should be able to put a modern spin on any past trend – even frosted tips!
When it comes to men’s hair, it’s easy for women to assume that they have it easy. Just a trim and they’re done. But in reality, men’s hair and fashion can be just as complicated as women’s, and it’s worth finding a competent professional who knows what styles will look best on you and what is currently “in”. Don’t hold yourself back! Give a few different decades a try, and find what works for your attitude and style.