When we talk about the ‘80s, the word “low-key” does not exist. A plethora of colors gave life to every aspect of fashion, sequins were glimmering, and hairstyles were teased, feathered, and fluffed up to astonishing heights. By contrast, we currently live in a world where people follow the mantra less is more.
Lately, however, a few big and bold trends of the ‘80s have been making a comeback. So, if you’re bored with minimalism, choose the ones you think would best suit you from the list below and get on board with the revival of the so-called “decade of greed.”
The ‘80s was a vibrant era, from fashion choices to hairstyles. You can rock a brightly hued ‘do with unique shades ranging from blondes to reds and platinum mixes. While these shades were the decade’s staples, you don’t have to limit yourself in choosing the colors that you want for your locks. Greens, pinks, and purples are all up for grabs. Such tints were what marked the rockstar hair of the decade.
Your overall look wouldn’t be complete without several bright accessories dangling from you. And while ponytails were a thing, people used headbands, hair bands, and the infamous scrunchies to create a unique, stand-out appearance. Take your inspiration from Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and other ‘80s icons.
The ‘80s wouldn’t be revered as the golden age of pop music if it weren’t for the striking visuals that emblemized it. The biggest of these came in the form of the glam rock hairstyle. Hair metal was prominent back then, and its biggest stars were known for their snazzy yet eccentric hairstyles. For males as much as females, long, luscious, wildly-styled hair was the way to both fit in and stand out.
Back in the 1980s, curly locks were in. People couldn’t get enough of this ‘do, taking it to new heights by perming, teasing, and hair-spraying it like there was no tomorrow, all just to achieve an extra smidgeon of volume. Hair crimping was a colossal fashion statement, rocked by women of all ages. Many even resorted to permanent salon treatments – like perms – that would make their twisted locks last longer. Meg Ryan jumped on the perm bandwaggon with this twisty 'do.
Who could forget that “so bad it’s good” fad of the ‘80s: the mullet? Back then, they called it “prom hair” because having a killer mullet almost guaranteed that your crush would say “yes” when you asked her to the dance. This infamous ‘do was a self-styling sensation that perfectly balanced the time-consuming effort of teasing, backcombing, and hairspraying most ‘80s ladies had to go through for a night out on the town.
While it was ubiquitous in the ‘80s, the style doesn’t sit well on just anyone. It takes a certain personality to be able to pull it off, like Patrick Swayze's.
While glam rock and hair metal had a specific look associated with them, so too did the ‘80s punk scene. As the decade wore on, this movement rose to astonishing heights of popularity. With it came hairstyles that went against all the trends of the day. Though non-conformity was their war-cry, the mohawk, liberty spikes, and half-shaved heads became just as much a uniform as any other style of the time. Indeed, these ‘dos became the trademark of the punks and their “rage against the system” attitude. Just check out, Mr. T; although that's technically a Mandinka, an African hairstyle, it certainly fits the pattern.
The Jheri curl was invented by a hairdresser named Jheri Redding, who (as you’re sure to have noticed) named the unique style after himself. His ‘do was taken up with gusto by the African-American community who loved the fact that it blended an uber-cool aesthetic into its low-maintenance “wash and wear” style. The Jheri curl is characterized by a fleecy, crimped look, like Ice Cube's signature look.
The concept of volume was so central to hairstyles of the ‘80s that simple, straight hair became a rarity. Those who didn’t dig the previous styles mentioned in this listicle turned to feathering as a way to keep their ‘do bouncy. Layering the ends of the hair augmented the volume, thus freeing the wearer from the heavy burden of having to crimp or perm their locks. Farrah Fawcett's iconic look was emblematic of this style.
Hopefully, this list inspired you to bring back one of the voluminous and bouncy hairstyles of this epic decade. The ‘80s were all about standing out, so wear your new crowning glory loud and proud. And if you’re in the mood to research more before committing to a new style, feel free to check out our detailed annals of the fashion statements that defined the ‘80s.