The 70s hairstyles were confusing, daring, and slightly adventurous. Hair was not only about looking orderly, but it was also an essential aspect of the locals’ lifestyle.In essence, the freedom to lengthen, curl, straighten, layer, or just leave hair as it is. This decade has given us so many hairstyles that it still affects one to wear the same today. And not only during costume parties or vintage photoshoots. If you possess straight hair, waves, curls, long locks, or a shorter cut, then the 70s hairstyle is suitable for you.
70s Hairstyles and What Made Them Iconic
Whenever people talk about 70s hairstyles, it is mostly that iconic feathered bangs, huge volume, or long shiny locks that come up. However, the truth is it was a combination of all the things. Those who went to disco parties demanded their hair to be shiny and full of life, while the rock scene preferred long and untidy hair.
Hairstyles for Different Hair Types
Straight Hair
Most of the time, straight hair in the 70s was styled either in a super sleek look with a middle part or in layers with a feathered shape.
The sleek hair was usually done to retain the natural luster without being heavily loaded with products. In contrast, bolder and more rigid styles, such as the Hitler haircut, show how different eras approached hair trends.
Men in particular, were the “just don’t cut it” celebrities which made long and shoulder-length social works the most casual and yet the coolest hairstyle looks of that era.
Best styles for straight hair:
- Long hair and middle part
- Short layers unevenly cut at the ends
- Stylish bowl cut (yes, it was famous)
Wavy Hair
Layered 70s cuts worked like a charm with waves as they gave a natural lift. Waves made the style very comfortable and simple for you.
Length and a shaggy cut would have been enough to get the job done. It was the decade of the fads of low-maintenance that looked as if they were easily styled.
Best styles for wavy hair:
- Uneven layered shag haircut
- Leisurely waves with a center part
- Flipped ends with shoulder-length
Curly Hair
Curls were not forgotten during the 70s. Men with natural curls were not shy to wear them big and bold. Some went for loud afros while, others rolled down the frontier and let curls relax and free. The 70s was not about folding them but letting them have space.
Best styles for curly hair:
- Afro (tight or picked out)
- Mid-curl with volume of medium length
- Natural movement with rounded shape
Hairstyles for Different Hair Lengths
Short Hair
Short hairstyles in the 70s did not mean that the options were dull. The look was not buzz cuts, but the styled short cuts with layering were. Sideburns had a heavy influence as well, not only on these but on the whole concept.
Medium Length Hair
A medium length hairstyle provided the most versatility. With it, you could layer, curl, or feather if you wanted. Yet not so long that you would have trouble managing it. You can visualize the shoulder-length shags or flipped ends.
Long Hair
Long hair dominated the decade. It was the easier or more complicated way to express the fashion and the character of the time. A lot of men had it combined with mustaches or beards, thus, they visually complimented each other to get a more impressive ensemble.
Quick Table of 70s Hairstyles by Hair Type
| Hair Type | Popular Styles |
|---|
| Straight | Middle part, feathered, bowl |
| Wavy | Shag cut, loose waves |
| Curly | Afro, rounded volume, mid-length curls |
Influence of Celebrities
Stars were basically the trendsetters of fashion. For example, David Bowie’s shaggy mullet, John Travolta’s feathered style in Saturday Night Fever, or Jimi Hendrix’s afro. Modern icons continue this tradition, often pairing classic cuts with sharper looks like the line up haircut.
Those hairstyles were everywhere, going down from the celebrities’ hairdressers through the community of people who watched them. The people were not merely copying the styles—they were also adopting the mood.
Styling Tips to Get the 70s Look Today
- Do not use a lot of styling products. Use just the minimum product and keep your hair soft and natural.
- The layers are very important. Tell the hairdresser that you want feathered or shaggy cuts.
- The middle part is great for getting the classic 1970s feel.
- Do not straighten your curly hair. Allow your curls to be voluminous.
Final Thoughts
It was tough in the 1970s to keep track of what hairstyle was most popular since there were so many different ones, and people used to change their hair frequently depending on the personality they wanted to show.
Therefore, that’s why most of those styles still survive. Whether a person has straight, wavy, or curly hair and short or long, there is always a way to make a 70s cut look contemporary. It doesn’t have to come across as over the top – it can be a bit downplayed.
FAQs
1. What hairstyle was most popular in the 70s?
Feathered layers along with long, straight hair parted in the middle were some of the most popular hairstyles.
2. Did men have perms in the 70s?
Indeed, perm was a trend that went both genders and was a notable characteristic of the disco era.
3. Is it true that mullets were 70s hairstyles?
The fact is yes, David Bowie being one of the reasons for the trend of the mullet back in the 70s.
4. How were afros styled by men in the 70s?
They went on to use hair picks for shaping and adding more volume to them; therefore, they could keep the round shape.
5. Are 70s hairstyles still relevant?
Yes. They can still blend with the current fashion once they are slightly updated without being out of style.
Alex Carey writes about men’s and women’s hairstyles, blending fashion insight with easy-to-follow haircare routines for every hair type. With a keen eye on seasonal trends, Alex helps readers stay updated on what’s hot and what’s not. From daily care tips to complete style makeovers, Alex covers it all.
