Take a step into the electrifying energy of the 1980s. In this decade, hair turned into a form of self-expression, and each hairstyle revealed who you were and what you wanted to become.
The hairstyles of men in the 1980s were more than an aside; they were the main point in this multifaceted decade’s fashion-related narrative. The battleground of fashion from the 1980s for men wasn’t just clothing; hairstyles were elevated to the highest point of the hair, setting the scene for an ongoing discussion on the world of style for men.
Hairstyles for Men of the 80s Popular styles
To comprehend the impact of hairstyles worn by 80s males is to unravel a code of fashion still speaking to us. Whether you’re drawing inspiration from the past to create the retro look or looking at these styles within a contemporary context, understanding their significance in the past adds an extra layer of meaning to your personal style decisions.
Mullets
The mullet was an imposing hairstyle that found its place in the traditional and the rebellious, offering unique versions for people with curly hair.
With a shorter strand of locks encircling the face and a series of strands that were longer at the back of the head, the mullet was a symbol of the era and gave us unforgettable versions, such as the rattail hairstyle, which left an elongated strip of hair that was elongated in the back. FREE IPHONE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
How to achieve the look: Grow your hair uniformly to attain an elegant hairstyle. When it is long enough, you’re ready. Talk to an expert stylist to shorten the sides and front but leave the back longer.
Make a splash with your style by adding hairstyles with waves or curls at the back, similar to Patrick Swayze’s signature style from Road House. His hairstyle dates from the latter half of the 1980s and represents the bold spirit of the time.
While it’s a style from the 90s’ early days, Billy Ray Cyrus’ distinctive mullet demonstrates the same grit. Both styles demonstrate that taking risks in your hairstyle can signify how you dress.
Punk Style
The punk style of the 1980s was a scream to stand out, challenging the rules with big spikes, vibrant hair colors, and iconic styles such as the liberty spike – hair that juts out towards the sky, sunk into place by hairspray and gel.
How to get the look: To make an impression with a punk style, think about a striking hairstyle: shorter sides and a longer top. A large amount of wax or strong-hold gel can help you obtain those swaggering spikes or an exaggerated mohawk. PCM TRAVELS: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE
Get inspiration from the 1980s’ most significant stars, such as Billy Idol’s sunkissed spikes or GBH’s razor-sharp mohawks.
Feathered hair
Feathered hair was famous in the 1980s. It created an energizing mix of volumes and soft, flowing layers. The hairstyle was a sign of lightness as if each hair strand was performing a graceful dance in the breeze.
How to get the look: The secret to feathered hair lies in regular trimmings and layers, which are crucial to keeping the shape and volume. Use a round-shaped brush during a blow-dry to create feathery edges. John Stamos sported a mullet-tinged version of his feathered hair on Full House, showing the versatility of this style.
The Quiff
The quiff was popular during the 1980s as an elegant option. It emphasized longer hair over the head and was up, creating the modern pompadour that is voluminous.
How to get the look: Start by applying a volumizing product to damp hair. Then, blow-dry while lifting your hair’s roots together with a brush. Use a second bristle to move your hair up and down, and secure the appearance with a spray of finishing.
Look no further than icons such as George Michael and Huey Lewis for quick inspiration.
Pompadour
In the 1980s, the pompadour showed off its rock-and-roll roots while adding a bit of class. The hairstyle was characterized by voluminous top hair, which swoops into sides slicked back, usually hairstyled in a distinct hairstyle on the front.
How to achieve the look: Grow the hair on the top to a substantial length, but keep the sides shorter. Use a high-hold hair styling product and then comb it through, lifting the front of your face for that signature lift.
Check out Antonio Banderas for some 80s pompadour inspiration.
The Slicked-Back Style
The slicked-back hairstyle epitomizes the sexiness of the 1980s, making men appear effortlessly polished. It creates an air of elegance and elegance, like a film with its smoothness.
How to achieve the appearance: Start with damp hair, then apply a generous amount of gel or pomade. Use a comb with a fine-toothed tip to pull hair back. Ensure that the hair looks sleek and smooth without any out-of-place hair.
If you’re a fan of the 80s style, consider resembling the classic styles worn by Patrick Bateman in American Psycho or Gordon Gekko from Wall Street.
hair in the Workplace
The 1980s reshaped the norms of fashion, even in the corporate world. There was a time when shorter back-and-sides were the sole acceptable workplace attire.
A subtle rebellion emerged through textured and business-oriented styles that blurred the lines between creative and corporate. This new style was a sign of a shift in the work culture, where individuality gained importance along with productivity.
pop culture icons THEIR HAIRSTYLES
David Bowie’s Pompadour Mullet
Regarding the intersection between fashion and music, David Bowie remains a legend. The pompadour mullet haircut he wore is a classic that captures the spirit and style of the 1970s and 1980s. If you’d like to recreate this look, here’s how.
How to get the look: First, you must make the proper cut. The barber should keep the hair at the upper part of the head longer while cutting the back and sides shorter. Ensure your hair is clean and dry before you begin styling.
Use a dime-sized amount of pomade or styling gel with a strong hold on your fingers to heat it up. Apply the product to your hair, concentrating primarily on the crown and top region.
Use your fingers or a comb to lift and shape the hair on the top part of your head. Move it upwards to boost your desired volume and create a unique pompadour.
Apply hairspray for final touches to ensure your hairstyle remains on all day.
Pro Tips: For an extra edge of Bowie style, consider adding bold hues like bright red or electric blue. This can transform the pompadour hairstyle into a striking one.
Michael Jheri Curl from Jackson
The Jheri curl, popularized by Michael Jackson, was a hairstyle popular during the 1980s. It was known for its glossy and defined curls, which exuded class and awe.
How to get the look: To complete a Jheri curl, begin with slightly damp hair and apply the curl-defining cream. Comb through your hair, making sure the product is evenly dispersed.
Let your hair air dry, or you can use an attachment for a diffuser on the dryer on your head to add volume to the curls. Some iconic images of the Jheri curl from the 1980s include MJ’s stunning curly locks in the video music for the Thriller album and Lionel Richie’s elegant appearance on album covers.
Billy Idol’s Punk Spikes
Billy Idol, the punk rock icon of the 1980s, was a hairstyle that perfectly reflected the sexy spirit of the time. His provocative and daring punk spikes represented the break from conventional hairstyles.
How to get The Look For complete Bobbi Idol’s shined locks, begin with short, textured, straight hair. Apply mousse or a styling gel and then work it through your hair, focusing on the front and top sections. Use the fingers of your hands or even a comb to create the spikes you want by gently pulling your hair upwards.
Use temporary color sprays to create bold and vibrant colors in your hair to get an authentic Billy Idol style. This can give your hairstyle a radical punk rock look.
Influence of Fashion Trends on HAIR
The 80s offered a rainbow of bold fashions, and hairstyles for men were no different. Fashions bursting with neon leather, bands’ logos, and leather created a new wave of outrageous hairstyles. Excessive culture-inspired styles that eluded the laws of gravity, reflecting the time’s “go large, or you’ll go to the bathroom” attitude.
Acid-washed jeans sparked the rock look in a long, rebellious hairdo. Leather jackets featured more daring styles, such as sharply cut sides and spiky tops. Each hairstyle makes a gentle movement against the smooth leather background.
Bright neon clothes found their counterpart in the hair of kaleidoscopic streaks. Men’s heads were transformed into vivid palettes, a striking extension of their colorful outfits.
Hair CULTURE
Hairstyles of different genres were part of the conversation, weaving a multi-layered weave of identity. From the wild hair of metalheads to the sleek hairstyles of the new wave crowd, hair was an unspoken symbol of loyalty to music during a decade that was defined by its uniqueness and spirited personality.
In the great tapestry of the 1980s, hair symbolized the larger shifts in culture. The advent of MTV changed how we consume fashion and music, making stars visual and auditory icons.
Skateboarding culture, which was new in the suburbs and sexy and long, gave unkempt styles that reflected street style. Grunge music sounded like a harbinger of the future. The energy and unpretentious, raw hairstyles were shifted to the simple and unadorned.
The influence of Japanese anime and pop culture, with its vibrant color palettes and over-the-top models, also slowly affected the Western narrative style.
The rise of Hip-Hop
The 1980s were a pivotal phase for men’s hair and hairstyles, characterized by the emergence of the hip-hop movement. Its roots are in street corners in New York City; hip-hop did more than reverberate on the radio; it changed the rules of personal expression and fashion. The urban symphony found its visual expression in striking hairstyles that featured the high-top fade, gaining the spotlight. With short sides and an imposing crown, this style became a mark of individuality, worn by musicians and regular men.
In addition to the high-top fades the time of hair was a great opportunity to use it as an art piece. Men began to create intricate designs on their shaves and transform simple cuts into artwork. No matter how simple or complicated, the designs referenced the period’s love of self-expression.
Fashion magazines, TELEVISIONS, TV SHOWS, AND MOVIES
In the 1980s, fashion magazines such as GQ and Esquire were more than just glossy papers printed with ink. They were also sartorial guides. Their editorials provided not only ideas but practical guides and turned the page to hairstyles of men from the everyday day to the legendary.
The influence didn’t stop at printing. Television shows such as Miami Vice or The A-Team brought the dialogue of visuals to the American living room. The well-coiffed hairstyles of the characters were the standard for style and elegance, creating fashions that went beyond the tiny screen.
Cinematic culture also played a role. Films like Top Gun and Back to the Future created hairstyles for their characters, almost like quips. The screen heroes rose to the top of the line in excellent, setting the bar for men to strive to.
So, males found themselves at the salon, carrying magazine clippings. Whether inspired by the screen or print, the men were united in their desire to transform pop culture into an individual style through provocative hairstyles.
NOSTALGIA and RETRO TRENDS
The sartorial echoes of the 1980s resurface and captivate younger generations and those seeking a touch of nostalgia. With the bold patterns of the past and vivid shades, the most striking echos are seen in the hairstyles for men.
The new craze for pompadours, mullets, and permed hairstyles isn’t just an act of tribute. It’s an advancement. Modern influences such as K-pop have rekindled interest in ’80s classics like Perms, which proves the era’s worldwide impact.
Technology & Products
The renaissance in’ 80s-era men’s hair was facilitated by a variety of iconic haircare products. In the end, the explosion of technology for hair care during the eighties, thanks to ingenuous mousses, gels, and hair sprays, allowed for the creation of a style impossible to imagine.
Brands such as Aqua Net became household names, and new inventions such as diffuser attachments helped create curls and wavy styles with no frizz. These products were the hidden creators behind the decade’s awe-inspiring hair art, which made the hair the medium and a message.
Mousse and gel aren’t objects but rather the creators of voluminous, textured coiffures that defy gravity and time. Today’s influencers on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok utilize these tools, creating modern versions of iconic styles.
Entertainment & Social Media
In addition to the excitement surrounding the screen, the online universe has opened doors to this old-fashioned look. Shows like Stranger Things are showing younger viewers hairstyles like the mullet and blurring the distinction between the past and the present.
It’s a dialogue that spans two different eras, characterized by neon colors and various palettes. These elements were once a part of ’80s hairstyles that created an expressive tapestry of self-expression. In this fashion-driven cycle, hairstyles for men of the ’80s are an edgy revival that echoes the original decade’s desire to be unique and artistic vigor.
1980S HAIR REVIVAL
Social media and platforms such as it, as the latest form of word-of-mouth, new shows, and music, revived the hairstyles of the 1980s. They’re no longer just remade; they’ve been reinvented.
A new era of hybrids is coming, in which the boldness of the 1980s blends with the awe-inspiring possibilities of today. The ’90s witnessed the end of the ’80s extravagant with the rise of minimalism and grunge. The styles of the ’80s are emerging in a new way, being revived by the latest generation of people enamored by classic aesthetics.
The new album is distinguished by softer, more humorous interpretations that evoke the spirit of nostalgia and awe.
