You’ve seen it. That specific, slightly messy, effortlessly cool silhouette that looks like it stepped right out of a Polaroid from 1974. It’s everywhere. It is honestly hilarious how long we spent trying to make hair look "perfect" in the early 2000s, only to realize that the 1970s actually had it figured out all along. People are ditching the high-maintenance long waves for short 70s style hair because, frankly, who has the time for a 45-minute blowout anymore?
The vibe isn't about looking dated. It's about movement. Think about Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, or a young David Bowie. Their hair moved when they moved.
Most people think 70s hair is just about the "Farrah" flip. Wrong. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real magic of the decade was the texture—the choppy layers, the blunt fringes, and that "I just woke up at a music festival" volume. It’s a rebellion against the flat, ultra-processed looks of the last decade.
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The short 70s style hair revolution is basically about liberation
Let’s be real: long hair is a chore.
When the shag first exploded in the mid-70s, it was a gender-neutral statement. Stylist Paul McGregor is often credited with creating the "Shag" for Jane Fonda in the movie Klute. It changed everything. Suddenly, hair wasn't just sitting there; it was framed around the face to highlight bone structure. Today, we call it the "wolf cut" or the "cub cut," but let’s call it what it is: a short 70s shag.
You’ve got the shullet—a mix of a shag and a mullet—which has become the go-to for anyone who wants an edge without looking like they’re trying too hard. It works because it uses "interior layering." Instead of thinning the hair out, the stylist cuts shorter pieces underneath to "push" the top hair up. It creates volume that doesn't collapse by lunchtime.
If you have curly hair, this decade is your best friend. 1970s short cuts embraced the natural coil. Unlike the 80s, which used chemicals to force hair into shapes, the 70s used the shape of the cut to let the curls breathe.
Why the "wedge" is the most underrated cut of the decade
Remember Dorothy Hamill? In 1976, she won Olympic gold, but her hair won the cultural zeitgeist. The "Wedge" was created by Trevor Sorbie, a legendary stylist at Vidal Sassoon.
It’s a masterclass in geometry.
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The weight is kept at the back, tapering down to the nape of the neck. It’s short, it’s sharp, and it swings. If you’re looking for short 70s style hair that feels professional but still has that vintage soul, the wedge is it. It’s remarkably flattering for heart-shaped faces. It creates a diagonal line that lifts the jawline.
The "Boyish" Pixie: Not just for the 60s
People often lump the pixie into the 1960s because of Mia Farrow or Twiggy. But the 70s took that pixie and made it grittier.
By the late 70s, the punk movement began to bleed into mainstream fashion. The hair got shorter and choppier. Think Linda Ronstadt or even the early days of Joan Jett. These weren't "dainty" cuts. They were textured. They used razors instead of scissors to get those feathery, lived-in ends.
If you're going for a 70s-inspired pixie today, you want to avoid anything too neat. You want the sideburns—or "temple flaps"—to be a bit longer. It softens the look. It makes it feel less like a "pixie" and more like a short, shaggy crop.
The Bangs Factor
You cannot talk about this era without mentioning bangs. Specifically, the "curtain bang" or the "bottleneck bang."
- Curtain bangs: Parted down the middle, sweeping to the sides. They frame the eyes.
- Bottleneck bangs: Narrow at the top, wider at the cheekbones.
- Choppy fringe: Straight across but textured, so it doesn't look like a bowl cut.
Most people get the bangs wrong by making them too thin. 70s bangs were thick. They were a commitment. They started further back on the head than you’d think. This adds weight and ensures they don't just disappear when you sweat or move.
Styling your short 70s style hair without looking like a costume
The biggest fear? Looking like you’re headed to a Halloween party.
The key is in the product. Back then, they used a lot of hairspray and rollers. Today, we have salt sprays and dry texture foams. If you’re rocking a short shag, you want a matte finish. Shiny, "done" hair kills the 70s vibe. You want it to look a little dusty, a little sandy.
If you have fine hair, use a volumizing powder at the roots.
If you have thick hair, use a light oil on the ends to keep the "flick" of the layers looking deliberate rather than frizzy.
The "flick" is essential. Use a flat iron to bend the ends of your hair away from your face. Don't do it perfectly. Do some pieces and leave others. This creates that "shook out" look that defined the era of Studio 54.
Texture is king
Kinda funny how we spent years trying to get rid of frizz, and now, we’re basically trying to recreate a "controlled" version of it. The 70s were all about the "air dry."
To get this right, you need a "shattered" perimeter. Ask your stylist to point-cut the ends. This means they cut into the hair vertically rather than horizontally. It removes the bluntness. It makes the hair look like it’s been growing out for three weeks, which is exactly the sweet spot for short 70s style hair.
What to tell your stylist (The "Real Talk" Version)
Walk into a salon and ask for "70s hair," and you might get a disaster. You have to be specific because "short" means different things to everyone.
- Ask for: "Internal layers." This prevents the "mushroom" effect where the hair gets too wide at the sides.
- Ask for: "Face-framing bits." Even with a very short cut, you want pieces that hit the cheekbone or the jaw.
- Avoid: "Thinning shears." If they over-thin the hair, you lose the "chunkiness" that makes the 70s look work. You want the hair to have "gaps" and "negative space," but you don't want it to look wispy.
Reference images are your best friend here, but don't just show one. Show three. Show one of the fringe you like, one of the back, and one of the overall volume. This gives the stylist a 3D map of your expectations.
Honestly, the best thing about this style is the "grow-out." Because the layers are so irregular, you don't get that awkward phase where your hair looks like a helmet. It just turns into a slightly longer version of the same cool cut. It’s economical. You can go ten weeks between appointments instead of six.
Actionable Steps for your New Look
- Analyze your hair density. If you have very thin hair, opt for the "Wedge" or a "Blunt Shag" to create the illusion of thickness.
- Invest in a Diffuser. Even if you don't have "curly" hair, a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer will enhance whatever natural wave you have, giving you that 70s texture.
- Ditch the heavy conditioners. Use a lightweight, leave-in spray instead. 70s hair needs to be "big," and heavy creams will weigh down those crucial layers.
- Practice the "S" wave. Using a straightener, twist your wrist back and forth as you move down the hair shaft. It creates a subtle, zig-zag wave that looks way more "70s cool" than a standard curling iron ringlet.
- Focus on the crown. The height in a 70s cut is at the top. When styling, dry your hair upside down for the first 5 minutes to get the roots standing up.
The transition to short 70s style hair is less about a haircut and more about an attitude shift. It’s for the person who wants to look like they have a story to tell. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s arguably the most flattering "aesthetic" to ever come out of the hair world. Whether you go for the sharp lines of a wedge or the chaotic layers of a shag, you're tapping into a style that values personality over perfection. Keep the edges rough, the volume high, and don't be afraid to let a few strands fall out of place. That’s where the magic happens.