17 Hairstyles from the Past That Were Wildly Impractical
These 17 hairstyles from the past looked bold but were nearly impossible to manage in real life.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Hairstyles have always reflected trends, status, or rebellion, but some pushed practicality aside for the sake of attention. From towering wigs to extreme shapes held together with too much hairspray, these looks often required hours of effort and maintenance. This list covers some of the most impractical hairstyles that people actually wore in real life.
1. Victorian-Era Powdered Wigs
ReneeWrites on Wikimedia Commons
These wigs were tall, heavy, and often filled with flour or powder to achieve a white appearance. They were worn mostly by the upper class and required regular care to stay clean. Some even attracted bugs or had to be treated with perfume to mask unpleasant odors. Wearing one for long periods could be hot and uncomfortable.
2. Marie Antoinette’s Ship Hairdo
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun on Wikimedia Commons
This hairstyle had a full model of a ship placed into it. It stood over a foot tall and took several hours to build with padding and wire. Women often had to tilt their heads to fit through doorways. It was more about showing off than convenience.
3. The Beehive (1960s)
Geoff Charles on Wikimedia Commons
The beehive stacked hair high on the head with layers of backcombing and hairspray. It looked neat from a distance but was hard to sleep on or maintain. Some women kept it for days without washing. Rebuilding it after damage took real effort.
4. Liberty Spikes (Punk Era)
Gegenalles on Wikimedia Commons
This punk style had thick, upright spikes made with gel or glue. The spikes had to be blow-dried and carefully shaped one by one. Rain or wind could ruin everything. It made resting your head nearly impossible.
5. 18th-Century Pompadours
François Boucher on Wikimedia Commons
Pompadours were swept high and forward off the face. Women used pads and rolls to get the right volume. These styles needed constant touch-ups to stay in place. Even lying down became a challenge.
6. The Mullet (1980s)
Wordzandguitar on Wikimedia Commons
The mullet combined short hair in the front with long hair in the back. While it was easier to cut than to style daily, it confused people by mixing two opposite looks. It was often hard to match with formal clothes. Many wore it for fashion, not comfort.
7. 1990s Micro Braids with Beads
theadeoluwaa on Pexels
Micro braids were very small and tightly woven, sometimes with beads at the ends. They could take six to 12 hours to finish. The weight of the beads could pull on the scalp. Removing them could take just as long.
8. 1920s Finger Waves
Ras67 on Wikimedia Commons
Finger waves needed wet hair, fingers, and metal clips to mold the wave shape. Once dry, the waves stayed in place, but the process took patience and skill. Heat tools later helped, but the look was still time-consuming. Any mistake meant starting over.
9. Crimped Hair (1980s–90s)
1000heads on Wikimedia Commons
Crimping created zigzag patterns using a hot iron. The result looked bold but needed perfect sectioning and a steady hand. It was easy to damage hair with frequent crimping. Humidity or water would ruin the shape fast.
10. Medieval Braided Crowns
Maude Adams on Wikimedia Commons
Women in medieval times often wore braids wrapped across their heads like crowns. Creating the look took time, pins, and sometimes help from another person. Heavy hair made it uncomfortable to wear all day. Undoing the braids also took effort.
11. The Shag (1970s)
ABC Television Network on Wikimedia Commons
The shag used many layers that gave the hair uneven length and volume. Styling requires daily blow-drying and shaping to avoid a messy appearance. Without effort, it flattened fast. It only worked well with certain hair textures.
12. Victory Rolls (1940s)
David Merrett on Wikimedia Commons
Victory rolls were large loops of hair pinned on top of the head. Women used curling tools, hairspray, and lots of bobby pins. The shape had to be even and balanced. It took time and care to look right.
13. Afro with Perfect Shape (1970s)
Lisa Liang on Wikimedia Commons
The afro needed moisture, shaping tools, and regular trimming to maintain the round shape. It was natural but high-maintenance for those aiming for symmetry. Sleeping with it meant using a satin scarf or pillow. Without care, the shape would flatten.
14. Gothic Teased Hair
Jacob Ehnmark on Wikimedia Commons
Gothic hairstyles used extreme teasing and black dye to create height and texture. It involved layers of hairspray and backcombing. Washing it out was a long process. The style could tangle and cause breakage if done too often.
15. Edwardian Gibson Girl Updos
Hgrobe on Wikimedia Commons
These updos required thick hair or added hairpieces to create height and volume. Women rolled and pinned hair into a soft but structured shape. The look needed daily styling and couldn’t survive wind or rain. Hats often ruined the effort.
16. Emo Side Bangs (2000s)
Steevven1 on Wikimedia Commons
Long bangs were styled to fall over one eye, often with the use of straighteners. It looked dramatic but blocked vision. Wind or sweat would mess it up quickly. Regular trims were necessary to maintain the perfect length.
17. Hollywood Barrel Curls (1950s)
Toglenn on Wikimedia Commons
Barrel curls were large, round curls shaped with rollers or hot irons. They took hours to set and needed hairspray to hold. One touch or brush could undo the work. Sleeping with them was very uncomfortable.