Fueled by the vibrant pop music scene, men’s hairstyles in the 1980s exploded in volume and variety. Gone were the tame cuts of previous decades.
The 1980s embraced a rock-and-roll spirit, with styles ranging from the edgy punk rock to the luxurious, flowing mane.
From the classic bob and the flattop fade to the ever-present curl and the iconic fringe, here are some of the coolest men’s hairstyles that defined the 1980s.
Fringe hairstyle from the 1980s.
This decade was all about big, bold hairstyles, thanks to the influence of film and music stars, especially on teens.
While straight hair was still common in the early 1980s, the perm took over by around 1982, inspired by rebellious movie characters and perhaps as a break from the 1970s look.
Sideburns made a comeback in 1984, but this time they were thinner, shorter, and more neatly groomed than their 1970s counterparts.
These sideburns often accompanied the mullet haircut.
Spiked hair, teased hair, brightly colored hair, and shaved hair sections were popularized in the 1980s by the punk movement, as were the Mohawk and its twisted variant, Liberty spikes.
Men flat style, 1980s.
The Mullet haircut came in various styles, but all shared the signature short sides and long back.
It was a hit among working-class men in suburban and rural areas, setting them apart from the more conservative styles preferred by business professionals.
The business look featured neatly groomed short hair and very short sideburns for men, and sleek, straight hair for women.
Men in white-collar jobs often had their hair shaved at the nape of the neck to create a smooth, even hairline.
Male wavy, 1980s.
In the mid to late 1980s, it wasn’t trendy to part hair for both men and women because perms made center partings look less appealing.
Mousse was a popular styling product used to achieve a shiny look and add volume, with some even containing glitter for extra flair.
Hairsprays like Aqua Net were also heavily used. The Rastafari movement inspired artificial dreadlock extensions.
Michael Jackson sported a Jheri curl style in the 1980s, which was initially popular among African Americans but saw a decline in popularity by the decade’s end, partly replaced by the hi-top fade.
Quiff hairstyle.
Male perm style.
1980s Men crop cut hairstyle.
Men’s curly style from the 1980s.
Flattop haircut from the 1980s.
Male blonde style.
Men gelled style.
Men’s long hairstyle.
Male textured style, 1980s.
Male lines, 1980s
Male short curly hairstyle from the 1980s
Men’s bob style from the 1980s.
Male curls in the 1980s.
Male flat hairstyle.
An interesting Julius Caesar cut.
Men’s short haircut, 1980s.
Afro high top cut
(Photo credit: The Fashionisto / Wikimedia Commons / Pinterest / Britannica).