Rebellious hair in through the decades

Hair is a subject of study in more ways than one. It has been the subject of stories, legends, songs, and even movies, and of course, the subject of profound scientific research into its characteristics. 

In addition, hair has been a part of countless cultural phenomena and movements that changed history. For instance, it has been key to rebellion, in the way of young people using fashion and style to create a space and an identity for themselves in the society that they were born into, turning each decade of hair trends into slices of history. 

Post-war rockabilly teens

After the Second World War, young people were looking for ways to leave behind the beliefs and aspirations of their parents, many of whom had fought or lived through the war. Their rebellion became noticeable in the way that they dressed, wore their hair, and the music that they listened to. 

Rockabilly was clearly influenced by “hillbilly” music (a kind of folk; hence the name), western swing, rhythm & blues, and the boogie woogie, which set it apart from rock and roll, although the two genres did share similar roots.

Young people across the United States became drawn to rockabilly music and style, which became known for leather jackets and jeans, as well as using hair gel, wax, pomade and even oil to achieve hairstyles like pompadours and quiffs, as well as the slick back, elephant trunk, jelly roll, and the flop.

One of the most iconic and universal references that we have of this trend is the movie Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Peace and love and long hair 

The ‘60s are probably one of the most romanticized decades in contemporary popular culture. We think of it as a time when peace and love served as resistance to a system of oppression.  

The ghosts of the Second World War were still around, as a new war was being fought on the other side of the world.

Hippies became the symbol of this time, as they hoped that love was the answer to all problems, a belief that became reflected in the culture and art of this time. Freedom was in the mind, but also their way of dressing and wearing their hair: both men and women started wearing it long and messy: the way that it grew naturally. And the fashion was also all about freedom and nature: florals, long, flowy dresses, and natural fabrics were very popular at the time.

I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy
Snaggy, shaggy, ratsy, matsy
Oily, greasy, fleecy
Shining, gleaming, streaming
Flaxen, waxen
Knotted, polka-dotted
Twisted, beaded, braided
Powdered, flowered, and confettied
Bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!

Excerpt from Hair, a song from the musical of the same name.

The ‘80s: never enough hairspray

The ‘80s are remembered for the glitter and an overall too-muchness, but they were also a time of big changes around the world: the Cold War was still going on, AIDS gripped the world in fear, further polarizing society between more forward-thinking young people and conservative older generations that blamed them for the pandemic. However, it was still an exciting decade: music was very danceable; clothes came in fun, bright colors; athletic clothes became mainstream; and hair was big, loud, and bold.

Mullets, quiffs, the Jheri Curl, and the mohawk were some of the styles that men wore in everyday life, but they were also seen on famous musicians and actors from this time. 

Would you like to bring back any of these rebellious hairstyles? Which one?

Society changes and so does hair, so the only thing we can do is be ready for the next trend, since hair will always play a role in the youth’s rebelliousness and push for change.