Evolution of men’s hairstyle

Someday, it looks as if a specific hairstyle is everywhere and then is nowhere to be seen again the next. And most of the time that observation would be correct! 

Trends come and go and hairstyles are no exception.

Let’s walk down the memory lane of the past seventy years and check out some popular hairstyles of the past. Some are sophisticated, some are stylin’, some are scruffy, and some are nothing short of cringeworthy.

The 50s and 60s
Let’s begin with an honourable mention of the 50s and 60s men’s hairstyles. The world and the men in it tried to part ways with the conservative mindset of the World War II era. Men did away with the mandatory hairdos that conscription brought with it and opted instead for slicked back styles like the Ducktail. Sideburns started making a name for themselves and much of the styles we see today are inspired by the hairdos of this time. 

A few examples:

Photo credit: https://www.menshairstylestoday.com/1950s-hairstyles-for-men/ 

The 60s took over from the 50s and Elvis Prestley’s pompadour was replaced by The Beatles’ mop top as the band rose to popularity throughout the decade. Tidy, slicked back hair gave way to a messy fringe and hair down to the ears. Later on, the band’s haircuts became shaggier and now included sideburns. The hip men of the world followed the trends set by the Fab Four throughout their career as they continued to grow out their hair while supplementing it with moustaches and beards.

The 70s
Now let’s take a look at the 70s and many hairdos during this decade. Some of the most popular styles, such as, the Pompadour and the Ducktail, were the continuation of the 1960s while others were brand new. Gone were the days of short neat cuts. In its place came longer wilder styles that acted as a symbol of rebellion against the social norms of the past.

Photo Credit: https://www.menshairstylestoday.com/70s-hairstyles-for-men/

This was a time when a myriad varieties of hair care products dominated the style scene. Dreadlocks, the mod haircut, the grown-out mullet, the afro and what was known only as the ‘Long and Luscious’ kept barbers busy. Long sideburns were all but compulsory of this decade! But towards the end of this decade, short was back in style and many men sheared their manes for buzz cuts, crew cuts and shag styles. 

The 80s
Hairstyles in the 1980s were a thing of sheer wonder; so much so that it’s hard to keep up when looking back. Jheri curls? Yes! Shaved heads? Check! Mullets? Mohawk? Of course. Hi-top fades? You know it! It was the 1980s when men could express themselves and proudly boast their personality to the world. The thick sideburns that the 70s brought with it were modified to be sleeker, shorter and neater.

Photo credit: https://www.menshairstylestoday.com/80s-hairstyles-for-men/

Perms were the norm, hair gel was practically bought by the bucket; chemical treatments were widespread and spiked hair styles came onto the scene. Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Whitesnake and Michael Jackson were the OGs of the style scene and many looks were inspired by them.

The 90s
Fast forward to the nineties: long locks were still in the trend, and the most popular variants of it were ponytails, long cornrows, surfer hair, and the curtained hair sported by the likes of Johnny Depp. During the latter half of this decade, long locks were abandoned and frosted tips were their official replacement! The hairstyles in this time were completely different from any style of the past and men were seemingly encouraged to get really creative with their styling.
 

Photo credit: https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/grooming/hairstyle/article/90s-celeb-inspired-hairstyles-for-men-that-should-make-a-comeback/620464

Other than the frosted tips that this era is known for, styles inspired by grunge music and TV shows were also widely popular. The most popular of which included the Kurt Cobain inspired chin length long bob, the classic Fresh Prince flat top, and the infamous Caesar cut that was popularized by George Clooney.

The early to mid-2000s were an odd time in terms of the way men styled their hair and cared for it. It looks like most of the hairstyles of the decade were determined by what was seen on the big screen and people took their inspiration from reality TV stars, professional athletes and musicians.

Men once again became more liberal with their hairstyles in this period. They either used copious amounts of hair balms and waxes or none at all. Pomade was especially popular in Britain where men opted for neat styles inspired by the 1950s. During this time, the most popular hairstyles were undoubtedly the fauxhawk, the Justin Bieber-inspired mop top and the Guido blowout.

Today
Today’s men’s hairstyles are quite different from those of yesteryears, comb overs aside. The current men can do pretty much whatever they want with their hair, both the hair on their heads and the hair on their faces. Completely free from worry of being judged by others!

Long or short, coupled with a certain beard style or not, dyed or natural, men of today get away with almost any style. Fades are all the rage, top knots are here to stay, undercuts are ever popular, the bowl cut is popping up again. And man buns seem to be slowly fading back into obscurity. 

For now … some of these styles are dope and wouldn’t look out of place on today’s streets while we are thankful others have remained firmly in the past. From the Jheri curls and mullets of way back when to the top knots and bowl cuts of today, men’s hair styles sure do look good while they evolve. What does tomorrow hold for men’s hair styles? Only time can tell.

Published on 13 February 2022