Hair trends come and go, but some styles seem to stick around long past their prime. Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, often remain loyal to the looks that defined their youth. While we respect personal choice, these 15 dated hairstyles might be ready for retirement and a fresh, more contemporary update.
1. The Helmet Hair
Rock-solid and immovable, this heavily sprayed dome defies wind, rain, and modern sensibilities. Boomers achieved this look through liberal application of industrial-strength hairspray and weekly salon appointments.
The result? A perfectly round shape that appears molded from plastic rather than actual human hair. Time to loosen up those locks!
2. The Poodle Perm
Tight, chemically-created curls transform human hair into something resembling a poodle’s coat. This throwback to the 1980s creates a frizzy halo effect that adds years rather than youthfulness.
The harsh chemicals damage hair integrity while the unnatural texture fights against modern styling products. A softer wave would provide movement without the outdated silhouette.
3. The Crispy Curl
The crispy curl brings to mind a certain crispiness, not unlike the satisfying crunch of autumn leaves. This hairstyle, a fusion of tight curls and strong hold, was once the epitome of neatness.
Yet, in the age of natural waves and effortless styles, the crispy curl stands as a testament to the lengths one would go for a perfect coil. It’s a tightly wound signature of a different time.
4. The Feathered Flip
Popularized by Farrah Fawcett in the 1970s, this style features heavily layered hair curled away from the face with distinctive “wings” on each side. Many boomers maintain this dated look decades past its prime.
The excessive feathering creates maintenance nightmares and an instantly recognizable timestamp. Softer layers would provide similar face-framing benefits without the retro vibe.
5. The Mullet Memory
Business in front, party in back – this divisive style somehow persists among certain boomers who refuse to acknowledge the calendar has turned. Short on top with an inexplicably long back section creates a jarring disconnect.
Often paired with thinning top sections, the remaining length appears even more out of place. This dated look instantly transports viewers back to 1980s rock concerts.
6. The Rockabilly Pompadour
Channeling Elvis decades after his departure, this sky-high front quiff requires enough product to single-handedly support the hair gel industry. Often dyed an unnatural jet black, creating stark contrast against mature skin tones. The extreme height and rigid structure appear cartoonish rather than cool. A modern, scaled-down version would maintain the edge without the outdated silhouette.
7. The Pageboy Catastrophe
This shoulder-length cut with perfectly uniform ends and a distinctive rounded shape resembles an upside-down bowl. The severe symmetry and lack of layers create a heavy, dated appearance that drags features downward. Often accompanied by blunt bangs cut in a perfectly straight line. This unforgiving style emphasizes rather than minimizes signs of aging.
8. The Overgrown Shag
Once the epitome of laid-back cool, the overgrown hirsute was everywhere in the 1970s. Layers upon layers, creating a tousled, carefree appearance, it was as much about attitude as it was about hair.
This style exudes a certain nonchalance, inviting a sense of freedom and rebellion. However, as the years have passed, the unkempt nature of the overgrown shag can appear more sloppy than stylish.
9. The Bowl Cut Echo
Les coupe au bol has long been the butt of jokes, yet it once enjoyed a period of earnest popularity. Its simple, almost child-like appearance is easy to achieve, yet difficult to wear with grace. The even line around the head creates an unintentional uniformity that clashes with today’s love for individualized style.
10. The Beehive Throwback
The beehive is as iconic as it is extravagant, a statement of feminine boldness from the past. Built up with layers and layers of hairspray, it defies both gravity and age. Yet, its towering presence is often more of a distraction than a delight in today’s hair trends.
11. The Over-Teased Crown
Excessive teasing and backcombing were once the height of fashion, adding inches and inches of volume to the crown. While it might have turned heads on the dance floor, these towering styles often resemble a bird’s nest more than a chic coiffure. The over-teased crown might have its roots deeply set in the 60s and 70s, but today’s minimalist aesthetic craves simplicity over complexity.
12. The Mushroom Cap
Short on top with rounded edges that extend outward, creating the unmistakable silhouette of a mushroom. This unflattering shape adds visual weight to the face while failing to complement any facial structure.
Popular in the 1970s but painfully outdated now. The uniform length lacks the texture and movement that modern haircuts utilize to create more flattering shapes.
13. The Excessive Rat-Tail
Nothing screams “stuck in the past” quite like a single, skinny strand of hair extending from an otherwise normal haircut. This peculiar appendage serves no styling purpose while creating maintenance challenges.
Often braided or beaded for extra emphasis. The incongruity between the main haircut and this random extension creates visual confusion that no contemporary stylist would recommend.
14. The Under-Curled Bob
The under-curled bob may remind one of the swinging 60s. This look features a sleek bob with its ends curled inward, framing the face with precision. It was considered the height of sophistication and control, with every hair in its place. However, the style’s rigidity often clashes with today’s preference for movement and natural flow.
15. The Fluffed-Out Fringe
Picture the 1980s, and a fluffed-out fringe might come to mind. This hairstyle, characterized by voluminous bangs that seem to defy gravity, was once a symbol of bold style. For many, this style evokes nostalgia, but it’s a look few want to revisit. Its over-the-top nature can be jarring, and many agree it’s time to let go of this larger-than-life fringe.