36 Vintage Hairstyles That Keep Coming Back in Style
Retro looks from past eras are timeless and are always on trend. With style icons like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, there’s no shortage of places to draw inspiration from for a hair refresh.
Maybe vintage looks are on your radar if you want to switch things up with a new hairstyle featuring a retro twist. We’ve curated a list of the most iconic vintage hairstyles from decades past that you’ll want to try.
French Braids
Step back into the 1940s with this vintage French braid hairstyle. Actress Hedy Lamarr was known for wearing her hair in perfectly styled French braids that were puffed out at the front for more volume and curled at the bottom.
To jazz up this hairstyle, leave a few strands of hair at the front and curl them. For more volume, create thicker braids and roll out the front of your hair for an enormous swoop that will give you a stunning full finish.
Rag Curls
Rag curls are the original heatless curls that have taken over social media recently. You might even remember your grandmother putting a washcloth or rags through her hair for the night to wake up with beautiful curls.
For bouncy curls, use rags, an old bedsheet, thin, heatless curl rods, or any cloth. Wrap your damp hair tightly around the pieces. For the best results, let the curls sit overnight or for as long as possible.
Blunt Bangs
Blunt bangs were a massive trend in the 1950s, and no one wore them better than Bettie Page, the original pin-up girl. Bettie Page was known for her jet-black hair and signature short, blunt bangs.
Ask your hairstylist for blunt bangs above your eyebrows to recreate this classic look. They should be cut the same length rather than feathered to create that blunt, thick, bold finish.
Braided Bun
For a fun, unique style, wear the classic braided bun hairstyle. This 1940s-inspired hairstyle is elegant and sleek, adding a vintage twist to the modern bun. To nail this look, brush your hair back into a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band or scrunchie.
Then, braid the ponytail and wrap it around the bun until you’re left with the end piece. Tuck the end piece back into the bun and tightly secure it with bobby pins.
Undone Bob
The undone bob was a classic hairstyle that was everywhere in the 1950s. Marilyn Monroe coined the iconic look with her signature hairstyle—a voluminous, wavy bob full of bounce. This hairstyle is far from polished and instead emulates a more messy, undone vibe with wispy layers.
To achieve this look, get a wispy bob cut with layers and style it with a blowout for a voluminous finish. You can even add a few messy curls for a more tousled style.
Finger Waves
Finger waves were a massive hit in the 1920s and 30s and were often associated with the classic flapper style. This hairstyle is all about the slicked-back look, so you’ll need a product that will keep your hair in place, like gel.
Once you apply the product to your locks, divide your hair into small or medium sections and create delicate, c-shaped curls for elegant finger waves.
The Bouffant
Go big or go home with this bombshell hairstyle. Brigitte Bardot was a style icon of the 50s and 60s, and she rocked this look by creating much volume at the crown while styling disheveled, voluminous curls.
When styling the bouffant, you’ll want to blow out your hair, add large, bouncy curls, tease the crown of your head, and pin it into place to get that gorgeous volume.
Classic Waves
You’ll want to try classic waves for a sophisticated, sultry look perfect for longer locks. Long, luscious waves have always been a stylish trend, and no one does them better than the iconic vixen Jessica Rabbit.
To recreate her signature look, part your hair to the side and curl your hair with a thick barrel curler to achieve large curls that frame the face. Sweep the other side back to emphasize the volume at the front, giving your hair that glamorous style.
The Beehive
If you’re looking for a bold hairdo that makes a statement, the Beehive is your hairstyle. The signature beehive hairstyle undoubtedly comes to mind when you think of Amy Winehouse. Audrey Hepburn was also known for styling the Beehive more subtly.
You can wear this style with your hair down or turn it into a classic updo. Tease the top section of hair at the crown, brush it back, and pin it in place. Then, add hairspray for a long-lasting beehive everyone will swoon over.
The Pageboy
For a unique and edgy short hairstyle, opt for the pageboy. Inspired by medieval servants, this blunt cut resurfaced in the 1970s and 1980s and is slowly coming back with a modern twist.
The cut features blunt bangs and a short bob-like cut that’s round and gives hair the ultimate thick look. To give this style a modern revamp, ask your hairstylist for some wispy layers throughout for more texture in your cut.
Pixie Cut
Who can forget the infamous pixie cut? Thanks to supermodel Twiggy, the hairstyle defined the ’60s and became the it-girl haircut. The pixie cut consists of shorter hair on the sides and back and slightly longer hair on the top.
It’s a minimal effort, chic, and vintage style that looks relevant and fresh to this day. You can also get short layered side bangs to frame your face and complete the look.
Full Blowout
Voluminous blowouts are trending everywhere, and we’re not mad about it. While the ’90s blowout has made a viral comeback, the original hairstyle emerged much earlier. Farrah Fawcett’s whole blowout hairstyle in the 70s will always stay in style and capture this look perfectly.
This bouncy, complete blowout is super easy to achieve. All you need is heatless curlers or a regular curler. Make sure to curl all your strands away from your face for that iconic flicked-out finish.
Cropped Bob
The cropped bob was a popular hairstyle in the 1960s and is a trendy cut for those who want to embrace a shorter, sleeker look. Elizabeth Taylor famously sported one in 1962, and we’re still thinking about her classic look today.
To recreate this vintage hairstyle, ask your hairdresser for a cropped bob near the jawline. Layers throughout will add texture and movement to your locks.
Italian Bob
The Italian bob was the haircut of the 60s, and we’re seeing a reemergence of this blunt, thick cut. If you’re a fan of shorter hair, this low-maintenance style is an easy way to freshen up your look without too much effort.
This cut features a chin-length bob with blunt ends that’s super versatile. Use a curler to flick out the ends for a bouncy finish, or add curls to your hair for a voluminous, classy style.
Laid Edges
The roaring 20s was a bustling decade, and several hairstyles still on our radars today emerged from it. Laid edges were an infamous hairstyle, and Josephine Baker was one style icon who embraced the trend as her signature look.
Laid edges can be styled with any hairstyle, from a classic updo to braids, and they only take a few minutes to create. Separate your edges from your hair with an edge brush or comb, then add hair gel or pomade to your edges and curl them into place.
Old Hollywood Glam
The old Hollywood glam is the ultimate luxurious hairstyle that will completely revamp your look. This style suits all hair lengths but works best with long locks that you can style into bouncy, luscious curls.
Add mousse or holding product to your tresses to copy this hairstyle and use a curling wand throughout. Then, pin each curl up to help keep the shape, and remove the pins once you’ve finished.
Gamine Cut
For a bold haircut that stands apart, go for the gamine cut that was everywhere in the early ’50s. Audrey Hepburn famously wore the gamine cut in 1953, which shows that this cut can still have an elegant, feminine essence.
Ask your hairdresser for a pixie-style gamine cut with dainty bangs to nail this hairstyle. The best part about the gamine cut is that it’s low-maintenance and will make getting ready for the day quick and straightforward.
Side-Swept Curls
Side-swept curls are a glamorous hairstyle inspired by the jazz bar aesthetic. They feature luscious curls swept over to one side. It’s a famous red carpet look, and while there are many ways to wear the side-swept style, adding big, dramatic curls to your hair will give it that beloved vintage feel.
To create side-swept curls, part your hair to one side and curl it in the same direction to create a beautiful S-shaped wave. Then, add hairspray or holding products to keep your curls in place.
Hair Scarves
For a classy vintage hairstyle, a simple hair scarf will transform your look to one from the 60s and 70s. Hair scarves were a must-have hair staple and are a low-maintenance way to recreate the vintage look.
We recommend a striped hair scarf to nail the retro old-school feel. This hairstyle is perfect when you have to elevate your style without too much effort.
Silk Flowers
Silk flowers were a stylish vintage hair accessory in the 30s and 50s. They can be worn with any hairstyle, up or down. Add a silk flower or two to create a unique, elegant style.
Add a few white or black flowers to your hair for a finish that matches any outfit and transforms your hairstyle in just a few minutes.
Flipped Ponytail
The flipped ponytail is inspired by the stylish 1960s hairstyle that features a high, slicked-back ponytail with flipped, bouncy ends. To copy this fun look, add hair oil to your locks first to give them a glossy shine, and then gather your hair up into a high pony.
Once you’ve slicked back tightly, secure each section with an elastic band. Then, use a curling iron to curl the ends of your hair outwards to recreate that iconic flip.
Victory Rolls
Give your hair a revamp inspired by this infamous hairstyle from the 1940s. Victory rolls feature voluminous curls pinned back at the front of the head, with the remaining hair curled softly at the ends.
To style victory rolls, part your hair to one side, twist the hair at the front outwards, and pin the section back. Once both sides are pinned, curl the ends softly for a subtle, natural hairdo.
Pin Curls
If you remember the 1943 Rosie the Riveter poster, you know pin curls have been a defining hair trend for decades. They’re a great way to get gorgeous, vintage-inspired curls without damaging your locks with heat.
Start with slightly damp hair and small sections to get voluminous pin curls. Roll each section back into a flat curl and pin it to your hair. Put a scarf or bonnet over your locks while they dry, and after your hair is completely dry, take out the pins. You’ll be left with natural, vibrant curls.
Looped Bun
If you’re in the mood for a classic updo style, try the looped bun. Grace Kelly notably wore this elegant hairstyle to the 1956 Oscars, and it has become an iconic style we still look up to.
First, brush your hair back and secure it in a tight, clean ponytail. Then, take the ponytail to one side and pin it securely at the top and bottom. Then, take one-half of the hair, swoop it back, and pin it into place. Do the same with the second half and tuck the end into the loop for a clean style.
Faux Bob
Try a faux bob if you want a shorter hairstyle but don’t want to commit to a chop. This vintage hairstyle was a signature look in The Great Gatsby and was the go-to style in the roaring 20s.
It’s an easy hairstyle to achieve that for an effortless look. All you need to do is tuck the ends of your hair and pin it to keep it secure for a soft, sultry bob.
Curly Bob
The vintage curly bob is making a comeback and has already been worn by a-list style icons like Beyonce in her Cowboy Carter era. The curly bob features hair that falls just past the chin with blunt-cut ends.
To recreate Beyonce’s iconic take on the 1960s hairstyle, dry your locks with a blowout and add big curls to your hair for a bouncy, edgy look.
Old Money Bob
Embrace this timeless and classic cut with a modern twist. The old money bob is inspired by the vintage bob, which became trendy in the 20s.
Suzi Angelina, a London hairstylist, tells Glamour that the old money bob is a timeless cut with fullness throughout. It is a short, blunt cut above the shoulder, giving it a classy bounce.
Half-Up Half-Down
The half-up, half-down hairdo, also known as the whale spout, was the it-girl look of the 80s. Today, it’s an effortlessly versatile look that’s trendy and easy to recreate.
Brush back the front half of your hair and secure it into a neat high ponytail close to the top of your head. This hairstyle is suitable for straight or curly hair and will give you more volume and lift for a fun, elevated look.
Mullet
Rock an edgy look with the infamous mullet. The mullet has been around since the 1970s when Jane Fonda styled it with her signature cut, and we’ve seen the hairstyle reemerge in recent years.
Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, and Dolly Parton have all sported the unique cut. The mullet is cut shorter at the front, top, and sides of the hair and features longer strands in the back.
The Shag
The shag haircut first became famous in the 70s, and while it was primarily male rockstars like David Bowie and Mick Jagger who wore the hairstyle, today, we’re seeing more and more women rock the edgy look.
The cut features choppy layers near the crown and a wispy fringe. Ask your hairdresser for layers that give you more texture to recreate that light, airy bounce.
Low Pigtails
Low pigtails are one of those hairstyles that effortlessly make you look younger. This fun, youthful style was a significant hit in the 1970s and is one of the most effortless styles to pull off.
Part your hair in the middle and tie your hair into two low ponytails close to your neck. Add ribbons or thick hair ties to each pony for a modern twist to jazz up the look.
Curtain Bangs
When it comes to hairstyles, you can never have too much volume, and curtain bangs are a surefire way to get more prominent hair. This 70s-inspired hairstyle was all over social media thanks to style icon Matilda Djerf, and you can easily recreate it with a quick haircut.
Ask your hairdresser for long, swooping curtain bangs that fall to your cheekbone. To style the bangs, blow out your locks to get that feathered, sweeping finish.
Sleek and Straight
You can’t go wrong with a sleek and straight hairstyle, especially if you have long, luscious locks. Cher’s iconic jet-black, straight hair was the go-to hairstyle of the 70s, and it’s one we’re still obsessing over.
To get Cher’s sleek, straight hairdo, use a straightener through your hair and add hair oil once finished to get that glossy shine. You can also use a hair balm or gel to smooth down your hair and keep it in place.
Flipped Curls
Embrace your hair’s bounce and volume with the flipped curl hairstyle. In the 1970s, Donna Summers was known for her beautiful cascading curls, which defined her iconic look. To nail this hairstyle, you can use a straightener or curling wand to add flicked-out, bouncy curls to your hair.
You can also try heatless curls and finish the look with hairspray for a long-lasting hairstyle.
Headband
There’s no easier way to elevate your hairstyle than with a simple hair accessory. Along with her iconic bouffant, Brigitte Bardot was known for wearing headbands. The trend reemerged in the 90s and 2000s, and we’ve seen it styled on celebrities like Nicola Peltz and Bella Hadid, proving this retro style is still strong.
Style your hair with a blowout, in curls, or straight, and smooth your hair back with a thick headband for a stylish finish.
Flipped Bob
Who says short hair can’t be big and voluminous? The flipped bob is making an iconic comeback, showing how trendy short hairstyles can be. Jane Fonda rocked the flipped bob in 1962, which features soft waves and voluminous, flipped ends.
We recommend using a thick curling wand to recreate the flipped bob to add round, classic curls to your locks.