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.
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.
Why did people in the 80s like to wear big hair? People were into big hair because the celebs had big hair, and people back then would like to have these looks as their favorite icons. Most of the musicians during the 80s were into big hair. These guys were rockers, and so of course, long hair was de rigueur.
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 Shag
If you are looking for inspirations for hairstyles form the 70's, look no further than with Jane Fonda. The Shag happens to be the hairstyle that works for both men and women. The way David Cassidy sported this hairstyle made him an iconic heartthrob back in the day.
Big hair is a hairstyle that emphasizes large volume or largely styled hair, especially when those styles make the hair occupy a large amount of space above and around the head. The label "big hair" for such styles originated in the late 1970s, when these styles were beginning a period of popularity.
Spiked hair, teased hair, brightly colored hair, and shaved hair sections were popularized in the 1980s by the punk movement, as were the Mohawk and its twisted variant, Liberty spikes. The Mullet haircut existed in several different styles, all characterized by hair short on the sides and long in the back.
Everything about rock and pop music got big in the '80s. Big sounds, big bands, big clothes, and — perhaps biggest of all — big hair! The decade that introduced Hair Metal saw newly minted rock stars doubling down on the glam and teasing their hair till it was sky-high.
Researchers and popular media have used the mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years to define Generation Z. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Generation Z as "the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s."
“Looks from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s are coming back and providing inspiration for this big-hair trend,” celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway tells Glamour, pointing to beauty icons like Brigitte Bardot, Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and Cindy Crawford as inspirations.
The roots of big hair trace back to the 1970s, a time when glam rock and disco introduced bold hairstyles to the mainstream. Icons like David Bowie and Donna Summer pushed the boundaries of style, while Farrah Fawcett's feathered look brought volume and glamour to everyday fashion.
Crimped hair, tight ringlets, and voluminous waves were all the rage, offering a playful approach to hairstyling. Accessories like scrunchies, butterfly clips, and bandanas added a touch of whimsy and nostalgia, completing the quintessential 90s look.
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.
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.
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.
One of the key 80s hairstyles that continues to impress is the side ponytail.
Those seeking to cast blame have tried to pin Gen Z's supposedly accelerated maturation on vaping, makeup, cancel culture or karma. Some have suggested the anti-aging products and procedures used by Gen Z-ers have, ironically, made them look older.
However, for those who were born in the early 80s—more specifically, between 1977 and 1985—and aren't part of Gen X or the millennial generation, your home lies as a Xennial.
Generation Z refers to people born between 1996 and 2010. They're the second-youngest generation, between millennials and Generation Alpha. Gen Z identity has been shaped by the digital age, climate anxiety, a shifting financial landscape, and COVID-19.
Similar styles were all about volume, with bouncy curls, blowouts with curtain bangs, and flipped bobs. On the opposite end, long straight hair parted down the middle or at the side was also a common look and usually included, curtain, blunt, brow-skimming, or parted bangs.
The women of Huangluo Yao Village are part of the Yao ethnic group. They are known for their long, black hair, which they never cut. Some of the women have hair that is more than six feet long!
Singer, actress, and overall goddess Cher conquered the decade's biggest trend—voluminous hair—like she invented the look.
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.
The 1990s were all about iconic and diverse hairstyles that reflected the decade's unique fashion trends. Some of the popular hairstyles in the 90s were the bob, the pixie, the 'Rachel,' space buns, and crimped hair.