We can all agree that haircut styles for men have evolved a lot over the years. From having slick back looks to preferring messy haircuts, the centuries have had their favorite haircuts.
If you are wondering more about the history of men’s haircuts, this article is perfect for you. Here, we will discuss all the different haircuts we have seen over the years, and maybe you can get the perfect haircut for yourself because hairstyles do not expire.
What were the iconic men’s haircut styles in the 1950s, 1960s, and other decades?
In this section, we will discuss some of the best haircuts that men had in each decade, starting in the 1950s. Of course, each decade had many different haircuts that were famous, but we will only mention the ones that we think were the most iconic until the 1990s. Each decade will have the top two haircuts of that decade.
The iconic haircuts of the 1950s
Here are the two best haircuts from the 1930s.
The pompadour
The pompadour was very popular in the 1950s. This haircut had a voluminous top while keeping the sides and back short. This hairstyle represented the rebellious men of that era. Men like Elvis Presley, James Dean, and Sal Mineo rocked this look.
The ducktail
The ducktail was also a variation of the pompadour, with longer top hair and shorter sides and backs. However, in this look, the sides and back of the head were slicked down with a lot of gel, while the top of the hair was kept disarrayed to get a messy look. The haircut looked like a duck from the side.
The iconic haircuts of the 1960s
Here are two great haircuts from the 1960s.
The mop The Beatles popularized this hairstyle. This haircut had a long bang that reached the eyebrows, while the hair at the back was kept longer and touched the shoulders. This was very different from the neat and short haircuts that were popular in the 1950s.
The mod cut
This was another long haircut that was popular in the 1960s. In this haircut, the front fringe was long, while the sides were kept shorter. It was worn by many top celebrities and became a staple in the 1960s.
The iconic haircuts of the the 1970s
Here are two unforgettable haircuts from the 1970s.
The shag
The shag was a haircut that was made popular for both men and women, and it is still just as popular. This was a shorter, layered haircut that had bangs as well. This was a messy and tousled look. Sometimes, the hair touched the shoulders as well, so it could be customized for shorter hair as well as longer hair.
The afro
The afro started gaining popularity in the 1960s and was widely worn in the 1970s. This included naturally curly and voluminous hair that became a symbol for black power in the 1970s. The black actors and musicians rocked this look.
The iconic haircuts of 1980s
Here are some outstanding haircuts from the 1980s.
Mullet
We cannot talk about the 80s without mentioning mullets, which are still in fashion. As with most haircuts, this look has longer hair on the top and back while having shorter hair on the sides. This is a very textured haircut that both men and women wore.
Mohawk
The popular mohawk started back in the 1980s. This haircut involves shaving the sides of the head while having long hair in the middle that can be styled in different ways, typically spiked up with gel. This strand of hair was also colored in different bright colors.
The iconic haircuts of the 1990s
Here are some timeless haircuts from the 1990s.
The frosted tips
The 1990s had the frosted tip look in fashion. In this case, the top hair is longer compared to the sides, and the tip of the top hair is spiked up with gel. Men also added blonde highlights to the hair to get this look.
Curtains
The curtains had long hair that was just parted in the middle. This hair was worn by musicians like Kurt Cobain, who popularized it.
How did historical events and cultural shifts influence haircut trends?
Historical events and cultural shifts have always greatly influenced the haircuts of an era. Here are some of the factors that contributed to this change:
War
At the time of the war, the haircuts of most young men included short, manageable hair.
Social movements
The counterculture movement popularized the trend of having longer and more unkempt hair instead of a well-groomed look. Social movements keep affecting haircuts even today.
Culture and ethnicity
Different cultures around the world and religions have popularized different haircuts.
Fashion trends
Fashion trends keep affecting the haircuts of the era. They are also affected by environmental factors, the economic situation, and much more about a country.
What role did celebrities and popular figures play in shaping men’s haircut styles?
As we mentioned above, most haircuts in the 1980s were popularized by the top celebrities of that era.
Some iconic men who have started new trends in the past include Elvis Persley, The Beatles, James Dean, David Bowie, John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Zayn Malik, and Ryan Gosling. The men basically wanted the haircuts that the most popular actors at that time had, and those became the most popular in that era. So, needless to say, celebrities and popular figures have played an important role in men’s haircuts throughout the years.
There have been many social movements over the years, and they have changed the men’s haircuts that were popular at the time. Haircuts are an amazing way to express yourself and be part of a rebellion.
Hippie movement
In the 1960s, the hippie movement popularized longer haircuts for men.
Women’s Liberation Movement
This movement led men to adopt more unisex haircuts in solidarity with women. This lasted from the 1960s to the 1970s.
Punk and New Wave Movements
This lasted from the 70s to the 80s. This movement normalized unconventional haircuts like Mohawks, shaved sides, and brightly dyed hair in men.
Goth movement
This started back in the 1980s and is still ongoing. This movement embraces darker and longer haircuts for men with elaborate styles.
Even now, many social movements are changing men’s haircuts, such as gender fluidity and the LGBTQ+ movement.
What are the revived vintage haircut styles that are trending in modern times?
Vintage haircuts are no longer considered vintage since all the old haircuts for men are coming back. These haircuts are now becoming trendy again, and men are embracing the past.
Here are some haircuts.
Pompadour
This extremely popular haircut has never left style and never will.
Undercut
The undercut involves shorter sides and backs with a longer top and was popular in the 40s and 50s, but now it is coming back.
Slicked back
The slicked-back Jhonny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio haircuts have been popular since the 90s and continue to stay so.
Mullets
Mullets have made a huge comeback with even more texture since the 1980s.
Bowl cut
Gone are the times when bowl cuts were considered out of fashion. These were popular in the 90s and 2000s but then became a thing of the past, but now they are back.
Conclusion
All the haircuts that men have had through the decades are what shape haircut trends even now. Knowing the history of haircuts for men is an important way to understand the big effect haircuts have had on men and continue to do so.
Lastly, check out the mane caper shop.