Fashion changes rapidly, and what we find trendy now is drastically different from the styles of the 1920s, 30s, and all the way up as recently as the early 2000s. I mean… please look back at your photos from 10 years ago and tell me you’d wear that outfit today.
And hairstyles are arguably the most dramatic changes we’ve seen over the years. But some styles survive the test of time. You can’t tell me a 1950’s vintage pin-up pony doesn’t look amazing every. single. time. And a feather or rhinestone encrusted headband from the 1920’s is always stunning.
So in case you forgot about them, we’ve rounded up 60 of the best vintage hairstyles for you to bring back… and a few that we should maybe leave in the past.
1) Vintage Pin-up
All you need is water, some hair pins, and hair curl cream (she used Curls, “Creme Bruelee”). And if you don’t have a cute headband like this one, you can use basically any fabric to get the same effect. Bonus vintage points if it matches your outfit!
Watch her full tutorial here.
2) Milkmaid braids
This hairstyle dates back as far as the 16th century. It’s really survived the test of time. It looks like it takes a lot of time to put together. But secretly, you can throw it together in a few minutes!
Watch her tutorial here.
3) 70s afro
Diana Ross was just one of the many incredible women to own this look in the 70s. Of course it’s a natural style so it’s still worn, and has been worn, for decades. So it’s easy to reinvigorate! But this will forever be a staple in hippie and disco culture.
4) Double curl pin up girl
This is fun and a little more dramatic than just your average one pin up curl. Styling it so that one is bigger than the other is key to the success of this style. And this model has nailed it. Those long ringlets make it stunning, too!
5) Long hippie braids
This is such an easy look to bring back and it’s so cute! What says summer more than a good braid? Two good braids.
6) The ‘Marilyn Monroe’
Who’s more memorable from the 1950s and 60s than Marilyn Monroe? She’s still considered one of, if not the, most beautiful woman of all time. Those big platinum blonde curls are timeless. And here’s a modern woman to prove it!
7) Pom poms
I absolutely love these! They’re super cute and look great with those big 70s hoops. I feel like this is a great modern look for a festival. Or honestly, just any day of the week since it doesn’t take a lot of time to put together!
8) Flapper girl
You don’t actually have to cut your hair short for this one! Looks can be deceiving. With enough bobby pins you can tuck and secure your hair underneath, fooling everyone around you. Just add a fun feathered headpiece and you’ll be transported back in time.
9) A floral twist
Adding a floral punch to this otherwise quite classic pin up hairstyle became more popular later in the decade. It’s a little like a beach vacation meets 1950s middle America.
10) 1940’s ponytail
Be careful with this one because if you’re anything like me, it could make you look like a founding father. The hard truth is that a low pony simply isn’t for everyone. But if you can pull it off, this is such a quick and cute way to dress up a classic ponytail!
Watch the full tutorial here.
11) Pin curl up-do
Pin up models had to go through a lot to be ready with their hair and make up. Some hair styles took longer than others, and this is definitely one of the ones that took longer. But those perfectly curled curls are mesmerizing to look at!
12) Rosie the Riveter
This just screams We can do it! I love that she’s styled her hair with this classic vintage look, but that teeny tiny bit of light pink dye shows through. It’s such a great fusion of eras!
13) This prom do
The way these curls are so perfectly coiffed it can only be a prom style, right? Wrong. This wasn’t uncommon in the 60s, but it’s not really a surprise. It’s in keeping with the big voluminous style of the decade.
14) Disco curls
Just looking at this makes me want to go disco dancing. For some people with dead straight hair, this big fun curly look would require a perm. Curling irons are good… but they’re not that good. Cher had that extremely straight, long flowing hippie hair just a decade before, so lord knows what it took for her stylists to make this happen! But as always, she’s fabulous.
15) The snood
A snood is the knitted cloth hair bag you see pictured below. It was popular in the 50s and it has its pros and cons (a pro being it covers most of your hair so it can’t look too messy).
16) 50s twist
This style was most popular in the 50s and was suited to medium length hair. But there’s no reason in the world we can’t be adaptable and make it work with the longer hairstyles of today! Instead of short shoulder length curls, this woman is letting her long tresses cascade down to one side.
17) Farah Faucet
This is one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time. So fluffy, so feathered. If you wanted to bring back this exact style it would most likely require a full on haircut, but it frames the face nicely! If your hair is already cut similarly to Farah’s, you can try using a curling iron and a little hairspray to get the same effect.
18) Rockabilly
This 60s style never fails to turn heads and drop jaws. It’s such a statement hairstyle, and definitely takes some time to perfect but the results are always stunning.
Watch the tutorial for step by step tips on how to get this look.
19) “Scene kid” hair
This trend was more recent, but is still something we’re ready to put in the old school vault. This was very popular among the youths in the early 2000s. Vibrant colors, dead straightened, a little spikey. Very hardcore. But also… a little silly.
20) Gibson tuck
A “Gibson girl” was the epitome of beauty in her day. The term was used for women that were drawn by Charles Dana Gibson in the late 19th and early 20th century. The hairstyle varied quite a bit within that time frame, but still remains elegant to this day. Imagine this for a wedding do? Stunning!
Watch her tutorial here.
21) The Pageboy
Just because you can do this with someone’s hair… doesn’t mean you should. The name itself says it all, but the 70s were a crazy time. This is probably one of the few vintage looks we should leave in the past. But hey, do you.
22) Pageboy with pin curls
This is a much more elegant and polished version on the 70s classic. It’s still a pageboy style – flipped under and clipped to make the hair look more full and rounded – but the waves frame the face a little more softly.
23) Crimped Hair Dramatic pin up curl
It’s a great concept, but I’m not sure if this style will be making a come back any time soon. I think after Hermione Granger made the look so iconic in Harry Potter, it could never be topped again. But it sure was fun while it lasted!
24) Grecian Goddess
Its hard for any adult woman to pull of pigtails, but this ancient grecian look is an exception. It’s probably not a style you’d like to sport at work, but it’s a creative festival idea! It looks elaborate, but would be easy to do. You just need a few hair elastics, a curling iron, and a cute head piece. Voila!
25) Beachy pin curls
Imagine this look paired with a cute 1950s high waisted bikini? Too cute! These days we’re a little more lazy and it seems like too much work to do your hair up just to have it get ruined at the beach. But maybe for your next pool party you could make it a 50s theme – and have a reason to rock this look.
26) Elegant long pin up curls
This 50s inspired style has been given a more modern and relaxed twist. It’s still stunning, but much easier to do, and a little more understated than classic big pinup model curls.
27) Scandinavian knot
Okay so this might look from something straight out of Game of Thrones, but it’s actually a vintage Scandinavian style. The vikings weren’t all about exploring and horned hats… they also loved a good braid. Watching her weave this together on herself was mesmerizing! It takes a lot of skill, so if you’re going to try it out, maybe get some assistance from a friend.
28) Marcel Waves
Who is Marcel? Why was he so concerned with women’s hair? This iconic style became a staple of the 1920s, and is being modelled here by Edna Fearon. The style requires curling tongs, a bob cut, and what looks like a lot of product. Those curls aren’t going anywhere.
29) Short bangs
Audrey Hepburn was so beautiful that she made any style look good – including these uncomfortably short bangs. Please don’t try this at home. It will take forever for your bangs to grow out to a normal length again, and there’s really no hiding a bad do when it’s this short.
30) I love Lucy
This is also known as The Poodle. Lucille Ball’s iconic hairstyle during her role in “I Love Lucy”. Obviously because it looks a little like a poodle’s curls on the tops of its head!
31) 1940’s turban
I don’t understand why this isn’t a more popular style in our modern day. How cute is this?! How practical?! I vote we make this a trend in 2020, effective immediately.
Watch her tutorial here.
32) Understated 50’s glam
This is a nice and more understated take on the 50s classic. Instead of a big dramatic front curl, your bangs can hang loose without being in your face. It also takes way less time to style.
33) The 80s high side pony
The 80s were simpler times. And this iconic messy side pony was just as simple to throw together. Just throw your hair into a loose ponytail, add a scrunchie and boom – you’re basically a character on Saved by the Bell.
34) Classy vintage waves
This one will take a fair chunk of your time but the results are stunning! The tutorial is ten minutes long, and the recording is pretty significantly sped up. So maybe it’s not for your every day look, but for an event? Perfection.
35) The “Rachel”
One of the most iconic hair styles of all time. Jennifer Anniston makes absolutely everything look good, so it’s no surprise that Friends fans ran out their hair dressers to emulate the cut. It may have fallen by the wayside since the 90s, but it’s still a flattering face shape, so there’s no reason we had to abandon it! Too much of a good thing, I suppose.
36) 1950’s ponytail
This is such a classic and is way easier to do yourself than it looks! And when paired with a red lip like this hair artist, it takes you right back in time to the 1950’s. All you need is a few bobby pins, an elastic, and bonus points if you have a bow.
Watch her tutorial here.
37) Pretty Polly Bouffant
The 60s were a crazy time. Everyone was rockin’ a bouffant, including First Lady Jackie Kennedy. This one, worn by Haley Mills in Pretty Polly was so high it’s a miracle that it stayed in one place! This looks requires a lot of hair teasing, and a lot of hair spray.
38) Sausage curls
This one doesn’t have too elegant of a name, but it was an elegant style at the time. By today’s standards, I would argue this looks a little like an elaborate mullet. In this case I’d probably let the past be the past and leave the sausage curls for the early 1900s. But we’ll take that cute cat!
39) 1920’s bob
This one screams flapper girl – but might be a little hard to pull off today. It’s not a great shape to frame the face, and it’s a big commitment to grow out again! But it’s undeniably iconic.
40) 1950s curled bangs pony
Basically anything with a big front curl becomes a 1950s classic. But this one is especially cute – and surprisingly easy to pull off. Just get out your bobby pins! She pulled this off in under five minutes, so it’s definitely manageable, even for beginners.
41) Betty Grable pin up style
Betty Grable had some very elaborate hairstyles in her day, but none more iconic than this classic pinup girl style. If you’ve got naturally curly hair you’re one step ahead and could easily pull this look together. For those of us with straight hair, it will require some time with the curling iron. This look has fallen out of style, but is still stunning!
42) Dramatic pin up curls
The deep black contrasted with the red bow makes for the ultimate classic pin up style. And by fashioning such a swooping front curl, the look becomes even more dramatic!
43) Three curl 50s pony
This YouTuber completed the look in under five minutes! To be fair, she’s a professional so it may take you a little longer, but it’s still a simple style if you’re looking to add some 50s flair to your look.
44) Betty bangs
This look is not for the lazy (like me). This requires dedication for keeping your bangs perfect at all times. It looks awesome, but it’s not for your average Joe. These 50s inspired bangs are a lifestyle.
45) 1960’s high pony
The 60s loved big hair. If you’ve ever since the musical Hairspray (or any movie set in the 60s), you can confirm. This beautiful high pony is a slightly more understated version that you can easily wear today. Watch her tutorial for detailed steps.
46) Caribbean corn rows
This style is pretty timeless but hit a high in the 90s and early 2000s. Especially among white tourists visiting the Caribbean, which usually resulted in a bad scalp sunburn, and is pretty cringey now. But for women whose hair is more well suited to tight braids, it still looks fabulous.
47) Cher’s centre part
Everything Cher does is iconic. But this long, natural flowing hippie centre part is just too fabulous for words. And this is an easy one to bring back in modern times if you already gave long hair. It’s just a matter of parting your hair differently! No products required.
48) Dorothy pigtails
This look is not really well suited to anyone over age 20 at most. But it’s still so cute there’s no reason the kids these days can’t be sporting this style. However it should come with a warning: it may inadvertently cause you to follow any yellow brick roads you come across.
49) Vintage puffy curls
This look can be achieved by some simple foam/sponge rollers that you leave in over night. It looks so sweet and is perfect for medium length hair. And like all 50s styles… it looks fabulous with a red lip.
50) The braid hoop turban
This is such a unique style and super easy to do. If you’re having a bad hair day it’s a fool proof plan to cover it up. Just braid your hair on each side, pin them up in loops, and then cover with a turban. Very chic!
51) Marie Antoinette
This is definitely one of the older looks on the list. They were so extra in the 1700s! Marie Antoinette in particular. Imagine this lady telling you to eat cake while you’re starving and your hair is flowing naturally. Peak elitism.
52) Not one, not two, but three bouffants
This is a look all on its own. As if the popular bouffant hairstyle wasn’t popular enough. There were a few different variations but… not in this photo! It may look pretty funny all next to each other. But they’ve all really nailed the balance between volume and smooth.
53) Head scarf
This looks super cute with a big 60’s bouffant or ponytail , but can really be worked into any hairstyle. Even if it’s just natural or pulled back in a ponytail. We may not all look as adorable as Goldie Hawn in the 60s, but we can try.
54) 1920’s crop and headpieces
Ah, to be alive in the days of great lavish parties like what we saw in The Great Gatsby. Our parties may be more casual these days, but there’s no reason that we have to be.
In her tutorial, she curls and clips her long hair into this classy 1920s do. The best part about these is that you can get creative with the headpieces!
55) The beehive
Okay so sure, we still see these on Ru Paul’s Drag Race frequently. But they’re not so common among natural born women these days. However, they’re still fabulous. For every day life, probably best to leave this extreme and hard to manage style in the past, but we can still appreciate it from afar.
56) Hollywood waves
Why was the 50s such an amazing time for fashion? Sure, it look a lot more effort, but the hairstyles were to die for. You can still rock this look quite easily, and the step by step process isn’t as extensive as you might think.
57) The 80s perm
One of my high school teachers was still rockin’ this look as recently as 2010, so they haven’t totally died out. But I think we can all agree that it’s not a look we should be bringing back any time soon. That is a lot of volume.
58) Flapper style with no heat
If you don’t like using a straightener/curling iron/blow dryer, you’re in luck! There’s a way to get the ever-so classy flapper girl look without drying out or damaging your hair. Check out this tutorial for the step by step.
59) Sparkly head scarves
This iconic headscarf is basically a replacement for a hairstyle all in itself. It’s like a cute side ponytail that you don’t have to look after. Similar to a snood, but somehow way way cooler. Maybe it’s the sparkles. Maybe it’s just because Diana Ross wearing it.
60) Silk headscarf
This is a beauty hack. It’s an amazing way to cover up a bad hair day, while fooling everyone into thinking you’ve got 1950s style. All you need to do is curl your bangs under, and the rest can be covered up.
The next time you’re feeling inspired to try something new, why not try something old instead? These vintage classics are bound to make a statement for your next event, or even just to bring back a little retro flair to your look book.
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