15 Hairstyles Everyone Tried in the ’80s (and Regretted Later)
The '80s were a wild parade of teased bangs, mullets, and perms, a time when hair defied gravity, logic, and sometimes dignity—all in the name of fashion.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The 1980s were a golden era of daring, gravity-bucking hairstyles that stopped traffic—and caused eyebrows to raise. From mullets to mall bangs, the decade was characterized by bold looks powered by hair spray, rock ’n’ roll, and defiance. Although many of these looks now appear fashion blunders, they are still instant photographs of a decade that never relied on subtlety.
1. The Mullet
Image from Wikipedia
“Business in the front, party in the back”—it was the credo of a decade. Rock musicians Billy Ray Cyrus and Metallica’s James Hetfield sported the mullet with pride. Its divisive style became a joke in the ’90s, but during the ’80s, it was no joke.
2. Teased Bangs
Image from Byrdie
Also known as “mall bangs,” these gravity-defying fringes were achieved through backcombing and a gallon of Aqua Net. See Tiffany or any member of any glam band. The loftier the bangs, the more pop royalty-like.
3. The Jheri Curl
Image from Wikipedia
Made famous by Michael Jackson in Thriller, the Jheri curl demanded an activator to set and constant grooming. It imparted hair with a glossy, wet sheen that was strangely alluring—and disheveled. Several people regret the couch, collar, and headrest stains.
4. Crimped Hair
Image from Pinterest
Crimping irons produced hair that was zig-zagged and seemed to shout, “I’m fashionable!” Madonna and Cyndi Lauper pulled it off well. In hindsight, it typically looked like corrugated cardboard with an attitude.
5. The Rat Tail
Image from Dazed
This strange fashion trend involved growing out a thin tuft of hair at the base of the back of the head. It was strangely popular with children, adolescents, and even some adults. Many who had it now stash the pictures in the attic.
6. Feathered Hair
Image from Wikipedia
Popularized by Farrah Fawcett and John Travolta, this layered look featured outward-swept sides. It gave off a soft, angelic vibe that was somehow also intensely dramatic. Today, it’s more associated with Halloween wigs than high fashion.
7. Big Perms
Image from Pinterest
The ideal: the bigger, the better. Whether you were a suburban mom or a rock star like Jon Bon Jovi, a perm was your ticket to adulthood. The crunchy feel and chemical stench were simply all part of the charm—or terror.
8. The Side Ponytail
Image from MISSY SUE
Tilted to the side and worn down, this was the style de jour for aerobics class and teenage dance parties. Debbie Gibson or any random Saved by the Bell extra. Adorable in conception, but hardly anyone could pull it off as a grown-up.
9. Flat Top
Image from Pinterest
Sported by Will Smith as the Fresh Prince and by dozens of would-be rappers, the flat top was angles and attitude. Cut sharply to create a flat plateau, it was essentially a work of art. Its fall was as abrupt as its ascent—difficult to keep up and simple to regret.
10. The Bowl Cut
Image from Glam
It is self-explanatory and is often performed in the home using an actual bowl. Due to its simplicity, it was the go-to haircut for myriad school photos. Sadly, it also caused wearers to resemble a mushroom cap on the human head.
11. Liberty Spikes
Image from Pinterest
A punk icon, these huge spikes took industrial-strength gel and a great deal of patience. Inspired by Sid Vicious and Billy Idol, it was the hair of rebellion. It also got you some very uncomfortable stares at holiday gatherings.
12. The Mohawk
Image from Wikipedia
With shorn sides and a stripe of standing hair, the Mohawk was the final epitome of cool anti-establishment. Bands such as The Exploited and hardcore punk kids immortalized it. Parents detested it, and that is all part of why teenagers adored it.
13. Banana Clip Hairstyles
Image from Refinery29
The banana clip enabled women to sweep their hair into a dramatic fountain-like shape. It was a quick means of obtaining the “bigger is better” look. Sadly, it also gave heads the appearance of exploding pineapples.
14. The Shag
Image from Behind the Chair
Unlike its ’70s counterpart, the ’80s shag featured more volume and more defined layers. Joan Jett and Pat Benatar pulled it off with rockstar cool. On non-rockstars, however, it tended to be a lopsided puffball.
15. Hair Metal Band Hair
Image from BourbonAndVinyl
Hair sprayed high and sticking out in wild tangles belonged to bands like Poison, Whitesnake, and Mötley Crüe. This style shouted, “I might play guitar or sell you dodgy aftershave.” Everyone attempted it, but a few managed the look without a healthy dose of mockery.