You’ve seen them everywhere lately. The "modern mullet" on TikTok. The messy shag in high-end fashion campaigns. The return of the mustache. It’s almost like we’ve collectively decided that the early 2000s buzzcuts were a mistake and we need to go back to a time when hair was loud, proud, and frankly, a bit ridiculous. If you look at 70s 80s hairstyles male trends through a modern lens, you’ll realize we aren't just copying them—we’re trying to recapture the sheer audacity of those eras.
The 1970s and 1980s weren't just about hair. They were about rebellion against the military-short crops of the 50s and the slicked-back corporate look. It was about texture. It was about volume. It was about spending forty-five minutes in front of a mirror with a blow-dryer and enough hairspray to dissolve a small portion of the ozone layer.
The Shag, the Afro, and the 1970s Flow
The early 1970s were a hangover from the hippie movement. Hair was long. It was natural. Mostly.
Take the Shag. popularized by Mick Jagger and David Bowie (in his Ziggy Stardust phase). This wasn't just "long hair." It was a calculated disaster of layers. Short on top, messy on the sides, and trailing down the neck. It worked because it was gender-fluid before people really used that term. It looked just as good on a rockstar as it did on a surfer. Modern guys call this the "wolf cut" now, but let’s be real—it’s just a 1974 Shag with better conditioner.
Then you have the Afro. This wasn't just a hairstyle; it was a political statement. Before the 70s, many Black men felt pressured to chemically straighten their hair to fit into white-collar environments. The 70s changed that. Figures like Billy Preston and the Jackson 5 showed the world that natural texture was beautiful and powerful. The bigger the Afro, the better. It required meticulous care—wide-tooth combs, picking it out daily, and using oils to keep the shape spherical.
And we can't forget the Feathered Look. Think David Soul or a young Harrison Ford. This was the "pretty boy" look of the decade. You needed a brush and a hairdryer to flick the hair back away from the face, creating these soft, wing-like layers. It was soft. It was approachable. It was the antithesis of the buzzcut.
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When Things Got Weird: The 1980s Boom
If the 70s were about "natural" vibes, the 80s were about the supernatural. Everything got bigger, stiffer, and weirder.
The Mullet is the undisputed king here. Business in the front, party in the back. It’s the most polarizing haircut in human history. Why did it happen? Some say it was practical—keeping the hair out of your eyes while keeping your neck warm. Honestly? It was just cool at the time. Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Andre Agassi all rocked versions of it. The 80s mullet wasn't the thin, ratty thing you see in parody movies; it was often permed. Yes, men got perms. Lots of them.
The Rise of the Jheri Curl
While we’re talking about chemical treatments, we have to talk about the Jheri Curl. Invented by Jheri Redding, this look defined 80s Black culture. Think Michael Jackson on the Thriller album cover. It gave a permanent wet, glossy look to curls. It was high maintenance. You needed "activator" spray constantly, and it famously left grease marks on the back of couches. But man, did it look sharp under the disco lights.
Power Cuts and Wall Street
On the other side of the spectrum, you had the Yuppie look. This was the Gordon Gekko style. Slicked back, but with volume. You used a lot of mousse—a product that basically defined the 80s—to make sure not a single hair moved during a hostile takeover. It was disciplined. It was aggressive. It screamed, "I have a car phone and you don't."
Why These Styles Are Hitting Hard in 2026
History doesn't repeat, it rhymes. We’re seeing a massive resurgence in 70s 80s hairstyles male choices because people are tired of the "clean girl" or "minimalist" aesthetics. We want character.
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The "Euro-Mullet" is currently tearing through London and Melbourne. It’s shorter on the sides than the 80s version, usually paired with a skin fade, but the length in the back is pure 1984. It’s a way to look edgy without looking like you’re trying too hard. It’s irony you can wear on your head.
Barbers are also seeing a huge uptick in requests for Perms. Gen Z guys are flocking to salons to get "broccoli hair" or "mop tops," which is essentially just a localized 80s perm on the top of the head. It adds volume to thin hair and gives that effortless, "I just woke up like this" look—even though it took two hours under a heat lamp to achieve.
The Technical Reality of Retro Hair
Let’s get technical for a second. If you’re going to try one of these, you need to know what you’re getting into.
- Maintenance: 70s styles (the Shag/Long Hair) require high-quality leave-in conditioners. If you don't use them, you don't look like a rockstar; you look like you live in a van.
- Product: 80s styles require hold. But don't use the cheap gel from the 90s that flakes. You want modern pomades or sea salt sprays. Sea salt spray is the secret weapon for the "feathered" look. It adds grit without the shine.
- Face Shape: Mullets actually help elongate a round face. If you have a very long face, a 70s Shag with fringe can help balance things out.
There’s a misconception that these styles were "lazy." They weren't. The 1980s was probably the most high-maintenance era for male grooming. Between the blow-drying, the mousse, and the frequent trims to keep the shape, guys were spending more time at the barber than ever before.
How to Pull It Off Today Without Looking Like a Costume
The key to wearing 70s 80s hairstyles male looks today is the "taper."
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In the 80s, the sides were often just... there. Today, we use fades. If you get a mullet, ask for a "burst fade" around the ears. It disconnects the top from the bottom and makes it look intentional and modern rather than like you found a time machine.
If you’re going for the 70s long hair look, don't just let it grow. You need "interior layers." This is a technique where the barber cuts shorter pieces hidden under the long hair to create lift. Without it, the hair just hangs flat and sad.
Also, consider your facial hair. The 70s were the era of the horseshoe mustache. In 2026, a "Chevron" mustache (think Tom Selleck) paired with a slightly messy 70s cut is the gold standard for "retro-cool." It’s masculine, it’s vintage, and it works.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Barber Visit
Ready to take the plunge? Don't just show up and say "give me an 80s cut." You'll end up with something you regret.
- Find a Specialist: Most "quick-cut" places aren't trained in long-layering or perms. Look for a barber who specifically mentions "lifestyle cuts" or "shags" on their Instagram.
- Bring Three Photos: Find one photo of the vintage original (e.g., 1978 Mick Jagger), one of a modern interpretation, and one of what you don't want. This eliminates confusion.
- Invest in a Blow-Dryer: You cannot achieve these looks with air-drying alone. Buy a dryer with a diffuser attachment, especially if you’re going for curls or volume.
- Start Slow: If you're nervous about the mullet, start with a "wolf cut." It’s basically a mullet-lite. The transition is easier, and you can always take the sides shorter later.
- Wash Less: Retro styles rely on some natural oils for texture. Switching to a co-wash (conditioner only) or washing just twice a week will make the hair much easier to style.
The return of these styles proves that we’re moving away from the hyper-manicured, ultra-short fades of the 2010s. We’re entering an era of expression. Whether you’re leaning into the shaggy layers of a 1975 bassist or the gravity-defying volume of an 80s action hero, the goal is the same: have some fun with it. Your hair grows back; the memories of a legendary haircut last forever.