The roots of
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.
Melissa Sinclair founded Big Hair + Beauty – a natural haircare brand for afro and curly hair – after being frustrated at the lack of natural products for Black women. Big Hair + Beauty has grown significantly since its launch in 2014, helped with a Start Up Loan, and has thrived in the recent Covid-19 lockdowns.
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.
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.
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.
Aqua-net Bangs
While this option can take many shapes, one that was popular in the '80s was the aqua-net bangs. It's hard to miss anyone in the '80s forms of entertainment without this style, especially high school movies and TV shows.
The 1990s urban style heavily influenced by Black Nationalism and African trends began with the blousy pant sported by famous figures in the rap world such as MC Hammer, who popularized oversized "Hammer pants", and fezzes. However, men were not the only ones to embrace this new form of street wear.
Finnish band Hanoi Rocks, heavily influenced themselves by the New York Dolls, have been credited with setting a blueprint for the look of hair metal.
As a longstanding tradition, Choctaw people have worn their hair long for generations. The earliest European accounts from the Choctaw homeland (1540-1720) indicate that neighboring tribes called us Pashi Falaya, or the Long Hairs (Rangel 1993[1557]:296; Adair 1775:192).
“Sometimes people don't believe that her hair is real. They say, 'Oh, that must be a wig. ' But it's not; she has a beautiful mane of super-thick, long hair,” says Nicole Mangrum, who has been Oprah's hairstylist for close to a decade. “She takes such great care of it.
Beating acute poverty and lack of resources, Ramesh Babu revived his late father's saloon in the 90s while building a luxury car-rental business on his own.
Short styles like the bixie cut, curly pixie, and blunt bob are also making waves, offering chic and low-maintenance options. Meanwhile, statement bangs (think wispy bangs, blunt bangs, and baby bangs) are the go-to choice for a subtle yet stylish update.
In the Lone Star state, big hair's roots run deep — and getting it right takes hair spray, the right comb, and a whole lot of moxie.
Bangs were popular, with "mall bangs", attributed to teenage girls who frequented shopping malls, were styled by ratting bangs into peaks or mounds, and then using hairspray to keep them in place.
The Birth of Big Hair
The '80s saw hairstyles that defied gravity”teased, voluminous, and often incorporating copious amounts of hairspray. Big hair wasn't just a style; it was an attitude, a reflection of the 'bigger is better' ethos that defined the decade.
Bon Jovi has been credited with bridging "the gap between heavy metal and pop with style and ease". The band has released 16 studio albums, five compilations and three live albums.
Slipknot (/ˈslɪpnɒt/ SLIP-not) is an American heavy metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995 by percussionist Shawn Crahan, former vocalist Anders Colsefni, and bassist Paul Gray.
It is also generally accepted that French stylists Marithé et François Girbaud were one of the first designers to integrate baggy in the fashion industry, though the style can be seen originating in the Northern soul scene.
The Origins of Preppy Style
Back in the late 1890s and early 1900s, the "preppy" style was a sort of status symbol worn by wealthy guys who went to preparatory and Ivy League schools—hence the name. Brooks Brothers button-downs, knit sweaters, and loafers were all part of their closet must-haves.
Origins of the Trend
The fashion crowd's current fascination with puffer bags can largely be traced back to one design that debuted in the late 2010s. We're talking about Bottega Veneta's Pouch.
Singer, actress, and overall goddess Cher conquered the decade's biggest trend—voluminous hair—like she invented the look.
In 2025, there'll be a veritable buffet of styles, from sweeping side bangs to a dramatic curtain fringe. When it comes to finding the right style for you, hairstylist and brand founder Andrew Fitzsimons says first you'll want to consider your hair type.