80s Hairstyles For Men: 27 Blasts From The Past!

From tapered leggings to fancy leather boots to suede varsity jackets, the 80s were quite revolutionary for the fashion scene. It didn’t only welcome experimenting with a wardrobe tremendously with open arms, but also left behind some prominent gems that are currently perceived as vintage pieces. All of them did look good on their own but felt incomplete without one of the many hairstyles that rose to prominence in the 80s.

Hairstyles in the 80s were all about being loud and proud. Most hairdos weren’t just funky companions to add to enhance one’s appearance, but were also known as the embodiment of fun.

From mullets to slick backs to effortless shags, there are tons of options that one can pick from when placing their trust in the hands of 80s hairstyles for men. And if you happen to be in dire need of an ageless look that first found success in the 80s, this guide is definitely all that you need!

27 Nostalgic Hairstyles From The 80s For Men

Since the 80s revolved around alternative rock and electronic pop, it’s no surprise that people from that generation were known for being party animals. To complement their flashy outfits and groovy moves, the 80s curated and stirred up multiple edgy and loud hairdos, all of which belong under the land of 80s hairstyles.

From shoulder-length shags to disorganized textured cuts, there are plenty of options one can choose from when skimming through the hairstyles that emerged in the 80s. And if time is by your side, give the following list the chance it deserves.

Chin-length Curtain Bangs

If your hair has reached an awkward length, a promising look from the 80s that will undo even the most peculiar hair follicle of yours is this entry involving chin-length curtain bangs.

Chin-length curtain bangs are quite easy to style on a daily basis. To stay put, all your hair needs is some matte-based pomade. For a better hold, one may also use hair spray or hydrating oils such as argan oil.

The selling point of chin-length curtain bangs is the length itself, which can be used to enhance the facial structure of the wearer and give the shape an elongated effect. For its visuals, these bangs also pass as an eBoy haircut.

80s Mullet With Blends

Perhaps the most desirable hairdo that first emanated in the 80s is the mullet, which initially left everyone in awe with its flashy yet sophisticated components.

An 80s mullet contains a little bit of everything; flair, volume, and presentability. The structure is usually a bit elevated in contrast to mullets in this day and age, but it also offers enough flexibility to change shape in no time.

An 80s mullet is for big occasions and high-profile events, so don’t forget to do it some justice if you mirror the look. To incorporate an impressive amount of elevation around the roots, using a hair mousse should be sufficient.

Tousled Wavy Mohawk

Since the 80s revolved around gels and shiny visuals, a tousled mohawk was a phenomenal look that many found contentment in.

For those wondering, a tousled mohawk involves an elevated look where the strands are formed right down the middle. While the formation offers more stability than a pompadour, an elephant’s trunk is often compared to a quiff due to the similarity in its visuals.

To fully pull off this look, creating the structure while the hair is damp is extremely important. You must also use a pomade with high grease to replicate the polished appearance, but can even use hair clay for a matte-based effect.

A-line Bob with Uneven Layers

An A-line bob can seem out of place in 2023 in men’s fashion, but it received tons of flowers in the golden era of the 80s. This is because, in addition to being low-maintenance, an A-line bob also comprised the ability to sharpen and brighten one’s facial features, two components that can still amp up one’s social setting at the moment.

The flexibility of an A-line bob is limitless, as it can be used to form comb-overs and side-parts with ease. The look might require regular maintenance cuts to stay sound, but is definitely one of the best companions to vintage outfits.

Angular Side-part For Long Hair

If you liked the previous entry, but also have plenty more hair to deal with, a look that you can rely on from the 80s is this angular side part, a match made in heaven for long hair.

To pull off this look, ensuring your strands are in top-notch condition is key. And if you’re unaware of what you could do to obtain that, try using leave-in conditioners, hydrating oils, and hair masks.

Not much is needed to style the hair. In fact, if you meet the length requirements, all you need is a detangling comb, some water, and a spray full of hair mousse to mirror this look to the fullest.

Gentleman’s Slick Back

An entry from the book of the 80s that gives off a retro vibe and pairs well with trends that have emerged in the 21st century is this gentleman’s slick back, the perfect look for your 9 to 5 hustle.

A gentleman’s slick back contains volume for days and always brings out the best possible version of the strands. The look is typically formed using a wide-tooth comb, and requires some styling pomade for some extra hold.

Prior to trying out this look, make sure that your hair is grown out significantly. If you need more advice on how to wear a slick back, don’t forget to give this guide a read!

Surfer Cut With Frosted Tips

Before frosted tips became the hottest trend in the 2000s, the look tasted its first dose of success in the 80s, when users discovered their chemistry with a surfer cut.

A surfer cut is what we’d like to call a quiff with more length around the sides. The strands often contain tons of body, an element that can be used to give the face a slimming effect.

While minimal, the frosted tips are also quite crucial for this entry. It not only adds more flair to the look, but also adds to the density of the hair.

Sharp Flattop With Fade

For natural hair, one of the best hairdos to experiment with to obtain what life was like in the 80s is a flattop, involving a flat structure with tons of texture.

Flattops come in all shapes and sizes, from crew cuts to elongated variants. The strands on top are often evenly formed, typically with the assistance of a hair clipper.

By pairing it with a fade or taper, flattops feel lighter, thicker, and more stable. One only needs a metal pick to create the look, but can also take help from some wax to hydrate the afro.

Cropped Curly Shag

If you’ve been blessed with loose 4a curls, a great look that will allow you to hop into a time machine and track back to the 80s is this cropped curly shag with outgrown sides.

The look is a great option to rely on when your hair is going through an awkward phase. Forming it is also pretty easy if you have a can of hairspray laying around in your house.

A cropped curly shag is a look that fits into every category, from casual occasions to main events, which explains just why it was so popular and sought after in the 80s.

Textured Fringe Cut

Disorganized looks also played a prominent role in 80s fashion, since they matched the edgy and loud outfits that most people wore. And if you too want to be a part of that crew, this textured fringe cut might just be the perfect pair for you!

With excessively grown layers, this textured fringe cut is a special one among this list of entries. While most incorporated a finger combing technique into their styling routine to form the look in the 80s, it can now be curated using a texturizing comb.

Nailing the visuals is an important target to meet when wearing this look. And while having wavy hair will give you the upper hand, you can also use sea salt spray to bring some beachy vibes.

Straight-cut Shag With Curtains

Wolf cuts did exist back in the 80s, but didn’t always feel like everyone’s cup of tea because of how messy they were. Instead, many preferred wearing soft and de-stressed looks, such as this straight-cut shag with curtains.

The guideline for this hairdo is quite easy. All one needs to do is have enough patience to grow the hair out. Forming it shouldn’t be too difficult either, as the strands require no hair product to stay in place for a long period of time.

Waxed Jheri Curls

A funky look from the 80s that those with afro-textured hair drooled after was Jheri curls, also known as a medium-length shag for natural hair.

Jheri curls come in various shapes and sizes, and look quite unique. The strands often lack volume, but have enough elevation to stay put around the hairline.

Jheri curls lack hydration, so it’s always important to use curling cream when forming them. To seal the hold, one may even use a can of hairspray.

Polished Combover

If you’re looking for a rugged look that will fit like a glove with your slightly medium-length hair, a clean-cut and masculine option is a polished combover.

This combover is great due to multiple reasons. In addition to narrowing down the facial structure, a polished combover is also easy to form, as long as a wide-tooth comb is available. With some hair wax or gel, one can enhance the gloss and shine behind the visuals.

Medium Length Middle Part

Since growing hair was quite popular in the 80s, mid-length hairdos were a common find. However, when all the mediocre options were eliminated, this medium-length middle part remained one of the very few survivors in the fashion scene.

A medium-length middle-part is the perfect way to grow your layers out without damaging the cuticles, since the formation barely requires any product. One may also install highlights towards the tip, but only if they’re looking to add to the density of the hair.

Faux Hawk

Vertically gifted hairdos were just as popular in the 80s as they are now, as they can really give the face a slimming effect, are easy to maintain, and contain tons of volume. But if you’re looking for the best possible hairdo that also had 80s fashion in the palm of its hands, don’t dismiss the potential of this fauxhawk.

On top of being lenient to form, this fauxhawk also offers tons of stability. With some thickening spray and sea salt spray, those with thin hair can give this look a try!

Medium Length Mod Cut

80s aesthetics were all about wearing dishevelled, scruffy looks; all of which started with a medium-length mod cut.

A mod cut is quite similar to a “wings” cut, but is softer and more cooperative to new designs. While a side part looks best on a mod cut, many can push the strands back to form a comb over, or even use enough products to form a quiff.

Bleached Dishevelled Curls With Mullet

If you’ve stumbled upon this article before leaving for an 80s-themed party, a hairdo that you must pair with your 80s fit, which probably has skintight properties, with this entry involving messy curls and a mullet, also known as a curly mullet.

After mullets, perms and curls ruled the fashion scene tremendously. Each look had tons of volume naturally, but was also fed with tons of moisture to look glossy and appealing. In certain cases, many believed that bleaching the hair enhanced the impression of this remarkable design.

80s Soft Swoop

An angular look that brings out the best in one’s jawline is the swoop, which was quite big in the 80s. Its popularity wasn’t just shaped by its low-maintenance creative process, but also because of how much density it introduced to the shaft with very little manipulation.

A swoop is a great everyday look, especially if you’re unpunctual. If you’re growing your hair out, this look can be a good way to enable the strands to relax for a while.

Textured Wolf Cut

If textures and layers are all that you need, this distressed wolf cut should be a must-have in your diary.

A wolf cut is just like a shag cut, but has the upper hand when it comes to texture and elevation. The roots around the hairline are also quite full and thick, which can be an incentive for you if you have fine hair.

An 80s wolf cut can be enough to enhance your appearance. However, if you want more entries you can experiment with, don’t forget to read this guide!

80s Quiff

Quiffs are mostly paired with undercuts, fades, and tapers these days. However, in the 80s, quiffs were typically accommodated with tons of body and length. And if you’re fascinated by it, consider taking notes from this entry to make your dreams come true.

An 80s quiff requires a round brush for the volume, and some hair pomade for hold. To further enhance the elevation, using a blow dryer is advised.

Elephant’s Trunk

An elephant’s trunk was one of the hottest looks in the 80s. It had tons of shine, and was a common find among preppies and greasers that ruled the fashion scene.

An elephant’s trunk requires elevated strands, which should always be curated when the hair is damp. It also pairs well with subtle highlights, which can be put to use if you’re seeking some flair.

To secure the hold of this look, using a hair pomade with a hard hold is advised. However, if you want the strands to be more flexible, using hair clay should be enough.

Wings Cut

Wearing hairdos that cover the forehead can be great if you want your strands to have some density and fullness. Additionally, such hairdos can also be a good way to hide signs of balding or hair loss.

If you’re seeking a medium-length look from the 80s that is easy to take care of, a “wings” cut can be a good idea. It can be formed through finger combing, needing very little to stay in place. With the help of a bright hair dye, a “wings” cut also looks more lively.

Short Flat Top

If you’ve recently gone all in and shaved your natural hair, know that the next couple of weeks can be awkward for the strands since they will grow from every direction. However, if you want a quick and easy fix, this short flat top can be a great companion.

A short flat top has everything that a good hairdo should have. It has masculine traits, an easygoing styling routine, and a low-maintenance washing routine. With a high skin fade or low taper, a flat top looks more elevated and rich.

Edgy Shag With Middle Part

Regardless of having a handful of questionable fashion statements, the 80s also had tons of moves that changed the fashion scene forever, one of which was a shag cut.

If you’ve skimmed through the entries we’ve covered so far, then we’re sure you’re wary of just how versatile a shag cut can be if you utilize it properly. Additionally, if you’d like a toned-down version of a shag cut that will allow your hair to unwind from all the hair products on a daily basis, this edgy shag infused with a middle part can be a compelling candidate to consider.

80s Shag With Two Tone Hair Dye

The grunge scene was also quite big in the 80s, comprising high-profile artists like Motley Crue who had the fashion scene in their hands with their 80s shag and two-tone hair dyes; a combination that you can bring to life once again with the help of this option!

A two-tone hair dye is optional if your hair is already quite vibrant and full by nature. However, if your hair lacks density, installing a two-tone hair dye with a neutral and vibrant shade is mandatory to amp up your transformation.

Frizzy Curls With Babylights

While frizzy strands are frowned upon due to current beauty trends, they were glorified and celebrated heavily in the 80s. And if you too want to welcome your frizzy layers with open arms, grow them out to form this hairdo!

Frizzy curls require very little when it comes to upkeep, which can be music to the ears of laid-back fashion moguls. The layers do look elegant at all times when uncombed, but can also benefit from some thickening spray to look more presentable.

80s Blowout

An honorable mention on this list is an 80s blowout, which can be a great look to wear for a one-and-done occasion. The look is quite easy to form when styling tools such as blow dryers are used to elevate the strands around the roots.

Sealing the look is also quite easy in contrast to most, as the cuticles only need the help of a hairspray with a hard hold to stay immovable for days.

Frequently Asked Question

Now that you’re done with taking a trip down memory lane, here is a questionnaire that will surely work wonders if you have pending questions regarding 80s hairstyles for men!

Q: How do I add the 80s look to my hair?

Ans: Volume. Gloss. A rock-solid hold. These are three characteristics your hair needs to have if you’d like to hop on the bandwagon of fashion trends that emerged in the 80s.

While you may use pomade for the shine and sea salt spray before forming the structure of your look, it is equally important that you use hairspray to give your hair a vintage-esque vibe that no one can deny!

Q: Will wearing an 80s hairstyle damage my hair?

Ans: Since each hairdo from the 80s often involved the use of hairspray, giving in to the trend every 2 to 3 weeks should be the norm. However, if you find yourself using harmful chemicals to style your hair on a daily basis, the strands might eventually become damaged enough to cause permanent hair loss.

Q: Why are hairstyles from the 80s so popular?

Ans: After the 70s, it was the list of trends in the 80s that allowed fashion itself to become more influential in pop culture. While denim jackets and cardigans were big during the 80s, hairstyles like mullets, shag cuts, pompadours and comb-overs also propelled to stardom during that time.

Final Takeaway

Due to the aesthetics they curated, the 80s were and are acknowledged as the best and the most pivotal years in the fashion scene, especially due to the hairstyles they left behind.

The land of 80s hairstyles are quite bold, but ideal to use in the 21st century due to how adventurous they are. While most of the options require outgrown strands, options with short textured visuals also exist. All you have to do is find a look that pairs well with your face shape, hair density, and taste in fashion to make the experience enjoyable.

And there you have it! If you were hoping to find a classic look from the 80s that can still look as good as new in this day and age, there are multiple options that you can experiment with or contemplate with the help of the list we’ve provided above!

Additionally, if you need more guidance on how you can transform your hairstyle into something that has more flair, and learn more about how you can tackle hair issues on a daily basis, don’t forget to read the guides mentioned on Getarazor, the hub to all your styling needs!