The past has always had a way of sneaking back into our closets, makeup bags, and hair inspiration boards. Right now, beauty lovers are once again looking to the 1970s, a decade filled with bold self-expression, effortless cool, and unforgettable hair. From feathered layers to shaggy cuts, curtain bangs, long center-parted waves, and big disco curls, the 70s gave us styles that felt relaxed but still full of personality.
What makes these looks so timeless is their versatility. Some feel soft and romantic, while others are rebellious, messy, and rock-and-roll inspired. Many of them have been modernized with smoother styling, softer layers, or more polished finishes, but the spirit remains the same: movement, volume, and confidence.
In fact, some 70s hairstyles never truly disappeared; they simply evolved with each generation. Here are the grooviest haircuts of the 1970s that still feel stylish today.
Dreadlocks
The 70s were when Bob Marley and his music started to have a major influence on culture and fashion, and part of that was dreadlocks, a staple of Rastafarian culture.
As reggae went mainstream, everyone wanted to mimic this laidback singer and his hairstyle.
The Shag
Many actors and actresses rocked a shag back in this decade—it was a rock n’ roll, unisex hairstyle with choppy layers and feathered ends, worn by the likes of Jane Fonda and Florence Henderson during this time.
This style has consistently made a comeback in the decades since.
The Wedge
Popularized by 1976 Winter Olympics winner Dorthy Hamill, this short haircut (pixie style to bob-length) was packed with volume and featured a rounded, voluminous crown with a tapered nape and longer layers to frame the face.
The mullet and longer men’s hairstyles
In the late 1960s, society disapproved of men with longer hair. The 1970s were all about letting loose from those constraints, and looks became longer, more exploratory of facial hair, and very embracing of the mullet, which was a particularly creative way to wear that longer hair.
Men’s perms
Shockingly, we’re seeing this make a comeback with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The OG star with a perm was Mike Brady from “The Brady Bunch,” which set off a perm craze—let's just say that while some people rocked it with ease, others should stick to a more natural look.
Long and straight
This hairstyle took off in the 70s with lots of hippies wearing long, flowing locks and is still just as popular today as it was back then. Long, smooth hair with a natural look will always be in style no matter your age or what year it is.
The Farrah Fawcett
Possibly the most popular and legendary hairstyle of the 1970s, there was even a hairspray named after the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. It was all about the volume, with heavily feathered layers and flipped-out ends held in place by spray.