15 Popular Hairstyles from the '70s

The 1970s represented a massive turning point for hair fashion, moving away from the heavy hairsprays of the previous decades and toward movement and individuality. This era was influenced by a mix of disco glamour, the hippie movement, and the rise of rock and roll, leading to iconic looks that still inspire modern stylists today. Whether it was the effortless flow of long, middle-parted hair or the bold statement of a perfectly groomed Afro, the seventies encouraged people to embrace their natural hair texture or experiment with dramatic new cuts. Music and cinema played a huge role in spreading these trends, making certain styles synonymous with the decade’s spirit of liberation. It was a time when hair wasn’t just about looking good; it was about showing who you were to the world.

1. The Feathered Look

The feathered look became an absolute sensation during the mid-’70s, mostly because it looked great on almost everyone and offered a sense of breezy movement. It involved layering the hair heavily and brushing it back and away from the face to create a soft, wing-like effect. This style was made incredibly famous by Farrah Fawcett, whose bouncy blonde curls became the gold standard for beauty at the time. To get the look right, people used large round brushes and blow dryers to flick the ends outward. It wasn’t just for women either; many men adopted shorter versions of the feathered cut. The beauty of this style was that it looked polished but still felt very light and free. It required some daily maintenance to keep the volume up, but the result was a classic, soft appearance.

2. The Afro Style

The Afro was far more than just a hairstyle in the ’70s; it was a powerful statement of pride, identity, and the “Black is Beautiful” movement. Instead of using harsh chemicals to straighten their hair, people embraced their natural curls and kinks, picking them out into a large, rounded shape. This style celebrated natural texture and rejected traditional beauty standards that had been forced on people for years. High-profile figures like Pam Grier and the Jackson 5 helped bring this look into the mainstream spotlight. Keeping an Afro looking its best required specific tools like the Afro pick, which helped maintain the volume and the perfect spherical symmetry. It remains one of the most iconic and culturally significant looks of the 20th century because it combined fashion with a message.

3. The Shag Cut

The Shag was the go-to choice for anyone who wanted a bit of a rock and roll edge without having to spend hours in front of a mirror. This cut featured messy, choppy layers that were shorter at the top and gradually got longer toward the bottom. It was popularized by stars like Jane Fonda and Mick Jagger, proving that it was a truly unisex trend. The best thing about the Shag was its “woke up like this” vibe; it was meant to look a little bit unkept and effortless. It worked well on different hair lengths and textures, making it accessible for everyone. Because the layers added so much natural volume, you didn’t need many products to make it look full. It was the perfect representation of the decade’s move toward more relaxed, low-maintenance beauty routines for the busy youth.

4. Long Middle Part

Simple, straight, and parted right down the middle, this hairstyle was the ultimate symbol of the hippie and folk movements that carried over into the early ’70s. The goal was to look as natural as possible, often letting the hair grow to waist length without any complicated styling or layers. Many people used flat irons or even actual clothes irons in the early days to get their hair as sleek as possible. This look was often paired with headbands or small flowers to lean into the “flower child” aesthetic. Icons like Cher and Joni Mitchell made this style look incredibly elegant and timeless. It was a complete rejection of the beehives and bouffants of the sixties. It was all about showing off healthy, shiny hair in its simplest form, representing a return to nature and a peaceful lifestyle.

5. The Pageboy Cut

The Pageboy was a more structured and sophisticated option for those who preferred a cleaner look during the ’70s. This style typically featured hair that was cut to the jawline or slightly below, with the ends curled inward toward the face. It almost always included thick, blunt bangs that framed the eyes perfectly. It was a very tidy look that gave off a professional yet trendy vibe. Dorothy Hamill, the famous figure skater, brought a variation of this cut into the spotlight, and soon everyone wanted that smooth, swinging motion her hair had on the ice. While it was a bit more “set” than the messy Shag, it still had a softness to it that fit the era. It was a popular choice for younger women and children because it stayed in place while still looking modern and stylish.

6. The Mullet Trend

While many people associate the mullet with the ’80s, its true roots and rise to popularity began in the 1970s. This “business in the front, party in the back” style was championed by glam rock stars like David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust era. It was a bold, experimental look that defied traditional gender norms and pushed the boundaries of what was considered fashionable. The hair was cut short on the top and sides but left long in the back, creating a striking contrast that was hard to ignore. It was a rebellious choice that appealed to the punk and rock crowds who wanted to stand out from the crowd. The seventies version of the mullet was often more textured and shaggy than the versions that came later. It represented the era’s spirit of reinvention and the desire to be different.

7. Disco Curls

As disco music took over the airwaves, the hair got bigger and bolder to match the high energy of the dance floor. Disco curls were tight, voluminous, and full of life, designed to catch the light of the disco ball as you moved. This look was often achieved with hot rollers or curling irons, creating dense spirals throughout the head. Donna Summer was the queen of this style, showing off massive amounts of hair that bounced with every beat. Unlike the soft waves of the hippie era, disco curls were about glamour, excess, and being noticed. People would use plenty of hairspray to make sure their curls didn’t fall flat while they were dancing under the lights. It was a high-glitz style that defined the late ’70s nightlife and remains a favorite for themed parties today.

8. The Wedge Cut

The Wedge was a short, athletic hairstyle that became incredibly popular after Dorothy Hamill won her Olympic gold medal. It was a masterpiece of hair engineering, featuring a tapered back and angled sides that created a triangular shape. The genius of the cut was that it was designed to fall back into place no matter how much you moved. This made it the perfect choice for active women who wanted something stylish but functional. It required a very skilled barber or stylist to get the angles just right, as the layering had to be precise to create that signature “wedge” look. It was a fresh, clean alternative to the long, flowing styles of the time. The Wedge helped popularize short hair for women again, proving that you could have a cropped cut that was still feminine and very chic.

9. Cornrows and Braids

Intricate braiding patterns like cornrows became very popular in the 1970s, as more people began to celebrate traditional African styling techniques. This look involved braiding the hair very close to the scalp in straight lines or complex geometric designs. It was both a practical way to manage hair and a beautiful form of artistic expression. Cicely Tyson famously wore braids on television, which was a landmark moment for Black representation in media. Sometimes, people would add beads or shells to the ends of the braids to add a bit of personality and sound when they moved. Braids offered a way to keep hair protected while looking incredibly sharp and put-together. This trend was a significant part of the cultural shift toward embracing heritage and diverse styles in the mainstream fashion world.

10. The Buzz Cut

For those on the cutting edge of the punk movement in the late ’70s, the buzz cut was the ultimate way to rebel. By shaving most or all of the hair off, people were making a statement against the vanity and commercialism of the mainstream fashion industry. It was a stark, minimal look that shifted all the focus to the person’s face and eyes. While it was more common among the punk subculture, some fashion models began adopting the look to create a more androgynous or “alien” beauty. It was a low-maintenance choice, but a very high-impact one. This style proved that you didn’t need long, flowing locks to be considered attractive or interesting. It was all about attitude and the confidence to strip away the traditional symbols of beauty in favor of something raw, honest, and very bold.

11. The Brow Skimming Bangs

Bangs were everywhere in the ’70s, but the most popular style was the thick, heavy fringe that sat right at or just below the eyebrows. These weren’t the wispy bangs of previous years; they were full and made a real statement. This style worked perfectly with long, straight hair or with the voluminous, feathered looks. It gave the wearer a bit of a mysterious, cool-girl vibe that was very much in demand. Keeping them the right length was a bit of a chore, as they needed constant trimming to stay out of the eyes. Many people paired these bangs with a bit of a rounded curve at the edges to help them blend into the rest of the hair. It was a simple change that could completely transform a person’s face, making it one of the most requested features at salons throughout the decade.

12. Permed Hair

The obsession with curls led to the massive popularity of the permanent wave, or “perm,” during the mid to late ’70s. For people with naturally straight hair who wanted the volume of the disco era, the perm was the only way to get lasting results. The process involved using strong chemicals to break and reset the hair’s bonds into a curly pattern. These weren’t always the tight “poodle” curls of the eighties; the seventies perm was often aimed at creating a more natural, wavy texture or large, bouncy curls. It gave people the freedom to have the big hair they saw on television without using rollers every single night. While it could be damaging if not done correctly, the perm allowed for a level of volume and texture that defined the latter part of the decade’s most memorable and high-fashion looks.

13. The Crew Cut

On the more conservative side of the ’70s, many men stuck with the classic crew cut. While the youth were growing their hair long, the crew cut remained a staple for those in the military or more traditional professional roles. It featured short hair on the top that faded into even shorter hair on the sides and back. It was the complete opposite of the shaggy, feathered trends, representing stability and tradition. However, even the crew cut saw some slight changes, with some men opting for a slightly longer top that they could style with a bit of wax or cream. It was a clean-cut look that provided a sharp contrast to the wilder styles seen at concerts and clubs. It reminds us that even in a decade of radical change, there were still many who preferred a timeless, neat, and very simple appearance.

14. Slicked Back Hair

As the disco era hit its peak, a more polished and “expensive” look emerged for men, which involved slicking the hair back away from the face. Using gels or pomades, men would comb their medium-length hair straight back to create a smooth, shiny surface. This style was often paired with a sharp suit and an open collar, epitomizing the “lounge singer” or “disco king” aesthetic. It was a way to look sophisticated and ready for a night out on the town. Unlike the messy styles of the early ’70s, this was all about control and shine. It emphasized the jawline and gave the wearer a very confident, sleek silhouette. This look was popularized by actors and singers who wanted to project an image of success and glamour, making it a favorite for those who spent their weekends at the hottest clubs.

15. The Bowl Cut

The bowl cut was a very common sight in the ’70s, especially among children and teenagers. It was exactly what it sounded like: the hair was cut in a straight line all the way around the head, as if a bowl had been used as a guide. While it might sound simple, it was actually a very popular and practical style for the time. It was easy for parents to maintain at home, and it kept the hair out of the way for active kids. As the decade went on, some variations emerged with more layering to make it look a bit like a “mushroom” cut. While it’s often looked back on with a bit of humor today, at the time, it was a perfectly normal and trendy way to wear your hair. It represented the more innocent, domestic side of ’70s fashion that existed alongside the wilder rock and disco styles.

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• Classic Styles
• retro trends
• 70s hairstyle
• 70s fashion