Iconic 70s Men's Hairstyles: A Stylish Retro Guide

The Influence of 70s Culture on Men’s Hairstyles

The 1970s was a decade of diverse cultural movements, each leaving its mark on men's hairstyles. These weren't just haircuts; they were expressions of identity, reflecting the era's shifting social landscape.

• The Hippie Influence: Natural and Free-Flowing: The hippie movement, emphasizing peace, love, and natural living, popularized long, loose hairstyles. Men embraced their natural texture, often growing their hair to shoulder length or longer, symbolizing freedom and a rejection of conventional norms. Icons like George Harrison, Jim Morrison, and Neil Young epitomized this bohemian aesthetic, defining a key trend of the era.

• The Disco Era: Slicked-Back and Polished: As disco took over, men's hairstyles shifted towards a more polished and glamorous look. Sleek, shiny styles, achieved with products like gel and mousse, reflected the era's emphasis on glamour and sophistication. John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, Barry Gibb, and Elton John popularized this slicked-back, dance-ready style, a hallmark of the decade..

• The Punk Rock Rebellion: Spiky and Unconventional: In stark contrast, punk rock emerged as a rebellious counterculture, with equally dramatic influence on men's hairstyles. Spiky, short cuts, often dyed in bold colors, became a symbol of anti-establishment sentiment and a desire to break the rules. Johnny Rotten, David Bowie (in his punk phase), and Sid Vicious became icons of this edgy style, pushing the boundaries of men's hair in the 70s.

Iconic 70s Men’s Hairstyles

The 1970s saw a surge in creative and expressive hairstyles for men, each reflecting a distinct personality and cultural influence. Here are some of the most iconic 70s men's hairstyles:

The Shag: Rock 'n' Roll Texture

The shag haircut was defined by its choppy, layered texture, creating a naturally messy, yet stylish, rock-star vibe. This style involved cutting the hair in varying lengths, often with shorter layers on top and longer, feathered layers towards the bottom. This created volume and movement, perfect for those seeking a carefree, rebellious look.

Key figures who popularized the shag include Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, whose wild layers set the standard, and Rod Stewart, who took the style to even greater heights of rock and roll cool. The shag's enduring appeal lies in its versatility, working well with various hair types and face shapes, making it a true icon of the era..

The Afro: A Symbol of Identity and Empowerment

More than just a hairstyle, the Afro was a powerful statement of pride, strength, and cultural identity for Black men. As the Civil Rights and Black Power movements gained momentum, the Afro became a way to embrace natural hair textures, reject Eurocentric beauty standards, and celebrate Black identity. This hairstyle involved allowing natural hair to grow out in a rounded, voluminous shape, showcasing its unique texture and beauty.

Icons like Jimi Hendrix, whose massive Afro became part of his iconic stage presence, and Richard Roundtree in Shaft, who brought the Afro to the big screen with undeniable style, cemented its place as a symbol of cultural pride and self-expression.

The Mullet: Contrasting Lengths and Unconventional Style

The mullet, with its distinct contrast of shorter hair in the front and on the sides with significantly longer hair in the back, became a surprisingly popular and often polarizing choice. This unconventional style offered a unique and memorable look, appealing to those who dared to be different.

David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, with his vibrant red mullet, and Paul McCartney, who sported a more toned-down version, were among the figures who embraced this style, adding to its distinctive and sometimes controversial appeal within the decade. While often the subject of jokes, the mullet's resurgence in recent years proves its lasting impact on popular culture.

The Feathered Look: Soft Layers and Effortless Charm

The feathered hairstyle, characterized by soft, layered waves that framed the face, offered a lighter, more relaxed alternative to the slicked-back disco look. This style involved carefully layering the hair to create volume and movement, giving a soft, windswept appearance.

While popularized by Farrah Fawcett, this style also found a following among men seeking a more natural, yet still stylish, look. John Travolta in Welcome Back, Kotter showcased a softer, layered style, demonstrating the versatility and broader appeal of feathered looks within 70s men's hairstyles. The feathered style remains a testament to the era's focus on natural-looking texture and movement.

The Slicked-Back Look: Polished Refinement for the Disco Era

The slicked-back style brought a polished, put-together look, perfectly suited for the disco era's emphasis on glamour and sophistication. Achieved with generous amounts of gel or pomade, this style involved combing the hair back smoothly, creating a sleek, refined appearance.

John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, with his iconic slicked-back hair, and Sylvester Stallone, who gave the slicked look a tougher, more rugged edge, helped define this smooth and suave look. The slicked-back style remains synonymous with the disco era's polished and sophisticated aesthetic.

Now that we've explored these iconic 70s men's hairstyles, let's delve into the techniques and products needed to recreate these retro looks today.

Styling Tips to Recreate 70s Hairstyles Today

Ready to bring the cool factor of 70s men's hairstyles into the 21st century? With the right products and techniques, you can easily recreate these iconic looks.

The Essentials: Must-Have Styling Products

To achieve authentic 70s men's hairstyles, consider these key products:

• Mousse: Provides lightweight volume and lift, creating a foundation for textured styles, especially beneficial for shags and feathered styles.
• Pomade or Gel: Offers a strong hold and high-shine finish, perfect for creating sleek, controlled styles, ideal for the slicked-back look.
• Leave-in Conditioner: Hydrates and conditions hair, minimizing frizz and enhancing manageability, especially for textured styles.
• Texture Spray or Sea Salt Spray: Adds texture, grip, and a tousled, lived-in look, perfect for enhancing natural waves and creating volume. Perfect for shaggy and feathered styles.

Styling Each Look:

• The Shag: Achieving Rock 'n' Roll Texture:

  1. Start with damp hair and apply a light mousse from roots to ends for volume.
  2. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment, scrunching your hair while drying to create a tousled effect. For added volume at the roots, try flipping your head upside down while blow-drying.
  3. Finish with a texture spray like Pete & Pedro's Sea Salt Spray for extra grit and a slightly messy, rock-and-roll vibe.

• The Afro: Embracing Natural Volume:

  1. Hydrate your hair with a light leave-in conditioner or curl cream to maintain softness and manageability.
  2. Use an afro comb or pick to gently lift the hair from the roots, creating volume without flattening the curls.
  3. Finish with a touch of natural oil (like jojoba or argan) for added shine and moisture without weighing the hair down. Remember, the key to a great Afro is allowing your natural texture to shine through, so avoid heavy products.

• The Slicked-Back Look: Smooth and Refined:

  1. Start with damp hair and apply a generous amount of pomade such as Suavecito's water-based pomade, focusing on the top and sides.
  2. Use a fine-tooth comb to slick the hair back, ensuring a smooth and polished finish.
  3. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to lock the style in place and enhance shine. For touch-ups throughout the day, keep a comb handy to maintain the sleek look.

• The Feathered Look: Light and Voluminous Layers:

  1. Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair, concentrating on the roots.
  2. Use a round brush while blow-drying, lifting the hair away from the face to create the feathered effect.
  3. Finish with a spritz of light-hold hairspray to maintain volume and prevent the layers from falling flat. The feathered look is all about movement, so avoid over-styling or using heavy products that can make the hair look stiff.

General Styling Tips for Authentic 70s Vibes:

• Embrace Volume: The 70s were all about big hair, so don't be afraid to add volume.
• Embrace Imperfection: Many 70s styles had a slightly messy, lived-in look, so don't strive for perfect symmetry. 
• Use the Right Tools: A round brush, diffuser, and wide-tooth comb are essential for recreating these looks.

Now that you're armed with the knowledge and techniques to recreate these iconic styles, you can confidently experiment and find the perfect 70s men's hairstyle to express your individual style.-

Why 70s Men's Hairstyles Are Making a Comeback

Several factors contribute to the resurgence of 70s men's hairstyles:

• Nostalgia and Vintage Appeal: In today's fast-paced world, 70s styles evoke nostalgia for a perceived simpler time and bolder fashion. These hairstyles offer a unique, authentic touch, standing apart from contemporary trends.

• Distinctive Individuality: Tired of generic haircuts? 70s styles like the Afro, shag, and slick-back offer instant personality and individuality, perfect for those seeking to express themselves.

• Celebrity and Influencer Influence: Stars like Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles sporting 70s-inspired looks highlight the timeless appeal of these styles and inspire a new generation.

• Emphasis on Self-Expression: More than just aesthetics, 70s hairstyles are about self-expression, allowing men to break from the norm and project a unique image.

This resurgence proves the timeless appeal and enduring influence of 70s men's hairstyles.

Conclusion

The 1970s left an indelible mark on men's hair fashion, with styles that continue to resonate today. These iconic looks, from the natural and free-flowing to the meticulously styled, represent more than just trends; they reflect a spirit of self-expression and connection to distinct subcultures. The shag, embodying rock-and-roll rebellion; the Afro, a symbol of Black pride; the mullet, a statement of unconventional style; the feathered look, a nod to natural texture; and the slick-back, a reflection of disco glamour—all contribute to the rich tapestry of 70s men's hairstyles, whose influence continues to shape modern trends.