It was the era of disco and big, big hair – and to that end, '70s hairstyles did not scrimp on the statement factor. From
Comments Section Big hair was also really popular in the 80s and to a lesser extent in the 70s. and the 1960s (the beehive, bouffant, etc...)... basically it has come and gone 2000 times throughout the beginning of time, just like flat straight hair has come and gone 200 times since human existence.
The Shag
The short-to mid-length style was characterized by evenly progressed layers from shortest at the top of the head to the longest at the bottom for an overall "shaggy" effect. The look was worn by men and women alike in varying lengths and interpretations.
In the 1980s, big hair was in vogue for both men and women. The term has also been used in punk, ornate, metallic hair, Gothic, and alternative culture, particularly with the fashion, associated with the fashion of the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.
Big hair arose in the mid 80s after long flat strait hippie hair of the late 60s/70s and the more practical short feathered layered looks of the early 80s. People were growing hair longer again but didn't want to look dated. It got bigger and fluffier and dramatic. Bangs in particular stayed spikier well into the 90s.
The long hair trend grew with the spread of the hippie movement in the 1960s and, in the 1970s, longer hair styles would become the norm among men and women. In the 1970s, the popularity of Jamaica's reggae music and musician Bob Marley prompted interest in dreadlocks internationally.
Notable for its volume and fluffy finish, '80s hair is big and brushed-out. Back then, hairspray was an essential, with many misting their manes into rigid shapes that felt crispy and stiff due to the old-school formulations.
In the '80s, big hair was not only a status symbol, but also allowed women to take up space, Rachael Gibson, who runs the account The Hair Historian, told the outlet. It was a statement and, especially for artists in the limelight, “filling the screen with your hair felt like quite a power move,” she added.
Big hair was the crown jewel of the 1980s, an unforgettable trend that defined the decade and cemented itself as a cultural marker for Generation X. From teased locks to over-the-top perms, the era's voluminous hairstyles reflected rebellion, creativity, and an unapologetic embrace of excess.
From the sky-high bouffants of the 1960s to the pinned bang poufs of the 2000s, big hair has always been a trend that comes back around.
Long, sleek, and parted was THE look of the '70s. The total opposite of the voluminous feathered hair was the long and straight hairstyle. This usually was worn as a single-length cut with a center part that was typically adorned with flowers or a headband.
70s eye makeup looks featured long, voluminous lashes on the top and bottom, always adding an extra coat or two of mascara before a night on the dancefloor. 70s makeup embraced beautiful, bronzed skin and irresistible glossy lips while keeping brows bushy and full.
In the 1970s, disco arrived armed with keyboards, drum machines, sugary lyrics, and extended dance breaks. Artists such as the BeeGees, ABBA, and Donna Summer crooned their way into the hearts of people in America, Europe, and beyond. Bell-bottom pants, feathered hair, and big sunglasses were all disco accessories.
The shag cut was one of the '70s most popular and interchangeable hair looks. Known for its short, choppy layers and carefree, 'undone' vibe, this is the OG of trends like the wolfcut, and Stevie Nicks' curly take on it is the one.
“'70s hair was all about enhancing your natural texture with bouncy waves,” says celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel. “It was all about soft hot rollers and brushed out curls, with the volume and curl normally starting about halfway down the length of the hair.
In the 70s, platinum blonde was the colour of choice for feminine and sensual styles, just like the shade seen on Sylvie Vartan and Brigitte Bardot. XXL volume. Diana Ross and Donna Summer are to thank for the success of the afro cut. The idea?
Big hair became popular in the 1980s for men as well as for women. The term is also used in the glam rock, hair metal, goth and alternative cultures and is particularly associated with fashion of the 1980s, or inspired by the period.
Generation X (often shortened to Gen X) is the demographic cohort following the Baby Boomers and preceding Millennials. Researchers and popular media often use the mid-1960s as its starting birth years and the late 1970s as its ending birth years, with the generation generally defined as people born from 1965 to 1980.
The 1980s ushered in an era of big, statement curly hairstyles including the mullet, feathered curls, tall mohawk hairstyles and the Jheri curls (made famous by Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Rick James) were among other popular styles.
During the era, the meaning of long hair changed dramatically from what it was during the fifties. It began as a symbol of youth culture rebellion linked to music.
“This is a fairly basic universal layered cut. You are going to need a minimum of four inches of hair all over your head and ideally you could do with a little more length on the fringe. “Ask your barber or stylist to really texturise your hair as you need movement and plenty of body to get this style to work.
1960s hairstyle overview
During the Civil Rights Movement, natural hair and afros became a symbol of African American pride. Hair length was also used to challenge gender norms, like with pixie cuts on women and long styles on men. Generally, hairstyles became fuller and longer with an emphasis on big curls and volume.
Bigger isn't always better, but when it comes 2024 hair trends, it sure seems to be. Because big hair is back and, well, bigger than ever. From disco curls and Beyoncé-inspired Texas blowouts to the phenomenon that is Matilda Djerf's hair, it's clear that sleek styles are taking a back seat to big hair.
The 1980s saw the onset of huge, voluminous locks on men and women, often in the form of long, curly hair. Inspired by heavy metal and appropriately-named "Hair Bands," huge hair was everywhere.
Hairstyles of the Elizabethan era were characterized by high, frizzed hair and often placed over wires or pads to create a heart-shaped frame around the head. These hairstyles were made easier when the first metal hairpins were invented in England in 1545.