Longer hair in general remained popular due to the youth rebellion throughout the liberal decade of the 1960s. 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.
Men in ancient Mesopotamia, the Hittite Empire and Sparta are all thought to have had long hair. So long hair became acceptable for males at least 4000 years ago. Fashions have varied since then.
In general, women's hairstyles in the 1920s aspired to be exotic and sleek, with hair worn close to the head. If one had long hair, it was pulled back in a small, low chignon. Bobs were cut in tapered layers so that the hair would lie as flat as possible.
In the 1940s and 50s in the US the trend for women was short neat styled hair. Long hair was for young girls. That's probably where the attitude about long hair comes from for older people.
Dating back to the '60s and '70s, when rock 'n' roll was the soundtrack to countercultural movements, long hair became a symbol of non-conformity. Think about it, during a time when the 'clean-cut' look was the norm, pushing back against societal expectations meant doing the exact opposite, growing your hair long.
It dates back at least to ancient Greeks and Romans, and according to archaeologist Elizabeth Bartman, even despite the Ancient Greek ideal of a “bearded, long-haired philosopher,” women in that society still had longer hair than men regularly did.
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.
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.
Around the 6th century, however, the Greek men shifted to shorter hairstyles, with the exception of the Spartans. Women in the culture kept the longer style, which for them showed freedom, health, and wealth, as well as good behavior. With men, long hair by this time was considered a sign of false pride.
Forget what you thought about long hair past the age of 40—thick hair actually looks more youthful and polished when it falls shoulder-length or longer. Shorter hair has a tendency to expand at the ends, leaving you with an unflattering triangle effect.
Hippies were also known for their unique style, favouring long hair and casual, often unconventional, dress, sometimes in “psychedelic” colours. Many males grew beards, and both men and women wore sandals and beads.
Finger waves are not just for short hair—they can look absolutely fabulous on long hair too! Here are three beautiful finger wave hairstyles that will add a touch of vintage glamour to your long locks.
Shorter waved hair defined the nineteen thirties coiffure. Hair was primarily worn at chin or just above shoulder length with deeply set waves. The permanent wave was a popular method to aid the in setting of waves. The look of the thirties was clean, sleek, and sophisticated.
Reducing friction
Armpit hair prevents skin-to-skin contact during activities that involve arm motion, such as running and walking. The same applies to pubic hair.
Evolutionary Psychology and Long Hair
This attraction is believed to be rooted in the association between long hair and reproductive capability. Longer, healthier hair is seen as a sign of youth, vitality, and fertility, making it inherently appealing to the opposite sex.
A single hair has a normal life between 2 and 7 years. That hair then falls out and is replaced with a new hair. How much hair you have on your body and head is also determined by your genes. Nearly everyone has some hair loss with aging.
Luscious locks teaming with life have been a striking staple of longed after ladies for centuries. When men are asked to rank features they find most attractive on the opposite sex, maintained manes always dominate the list. The truth is that long hair triggers a primal, instinctive response within men.
As we have seen from the (very limited) written accounts and the few period artifacts we have to pull from, Viking hair styles varied from short hair to long braided hair, and sometimes included shaved on the side and possibly even bangs over their eyes.
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!
Hair trends of the '70s, '80s and '90s are back with a modern twist: From shixie shag to wolf cuts and the modern-day mullet, look out for these 2025 hairstyles.
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.
The decision about locks for a youthful appearance is more about style than length. As a result, whether or not you choose long or short hair, your hairstyle determines if you look older or younger with your hair.
The 1980s were a time of excess and expression. With fashion serving as a bold statement of individuality and freedom, big, curly hair wasn't just a style; it was an attitude—a rebellion against the sleek, restrained looks of previous decades.
History. Actresses like Raquel Welch, Brigitte Bardot, Priscilla Presley and Jane Fonda became big-haired icons throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Women's hairstyles labelled as "big hair" became fashionable during this period, with the Farrah Fawcett red swimsuit poster an iconic example.