Male Hairstyles from Past to Present

Curious about the century-long evolution of men’s hairstyles? From the final days of the Victorian Age to the trends of 2025, we’re diving deep into the ever-changing world of male hairstyles and beards! 🔥

1837-1901 — The Victorian Era’s Short Naturals

Male hairstyle in the Victorian age was similar to the initial 19th century with short natural hair style.

Victorian men’s hairstyles and facial hair offered a more clean, disciplined and elaborate look than in previous eras.

These were in trend among men of the Victorian age:

The side part,
The slicked back look,
The mutton chops,
The full beard.

Men’s style was more natural before Queen Victoria’s reign, i.e. during the Georgian and Regency periods. A beardless, moustache-free face and short or medium-length hair with uneven sideburns… However, the Victorian gentlemen opted for moustaches, long beards and sideburns for facial hair.

1910s — Oil Slicked Male Hairstyles

Men styled their hair with hair oils. That’s why most styles were short on the sides and top. Do you want to style your hair like in the 30s? Discover Perseus lotion and Perseus natural hair care oil!

The limited number of styles varied the hair parting and texture:

Slicked-Back Hair: A classic style with the hair combed straight back with a pomade for a shiny finish.
Side-parted Hair: A groomed look with a deep side part, frequently styled with pomade or wax.
Tapered Cuts: Short on the sides and back with a little longer hair on top for a clean, crisp look.
The Finger Wave: A wavy, comb-over style that adds texture and finesse, influenced by Hollywood actors.
Short Crop: A basic, low-maintenance cut with a uniform short length, commonly seen on working men.
Undercut: Short or shaved sides with longer hair slicked back or parted on the top, a rebellious look popular with younger men.
The Pompadour: Although less common, some men styled their hair with volume at the front, creating a distinguished look.

The hairstyles of men in the 1910s were the side parted and the simple slicked-back appearance. Men’s hair was heavily oiled with gel and combed back from the forehead to the back of the head. The sides were kept slightly shorter but also combed back. This approach gave a uniform and tidy look, reflecting the era’s emphasis on formality and grooming.

1920s — Men’s Hairstyles: Slicked-back

The Roaring Twenties brought a shift towards sleek, well-groomed styles with the advent of the Jazz Age. The iconic image of the well-dressed gentleman emerged, with hair kept short on the sides and slightly longer on top. They often styled their hair with pomade for a shiny finish. This style reflected the elegance of the Jazz Age. Facial hair was rare, as a clean-shaven face was considered the height of refinement, so moustaches and beards were uncommon.

1930s — Clean-cut to Pompadour Looks

Men’s hairstyles in the 1930s remained short and textured, with a preference for deep side-parts and slicked-back looks. The hair was combed to the side and slicked back. Economic times were hard. So, men wanted to look their best for work. Hollywood actors like Clark Gable set the trend for the decade, inspiring men to embrace well-groomed, slightly wavy hair. Moustaches made a comeback, but beards were still rare.

1940s — Side Parting Still Popular in Male Hairstyles

In the 1940s, hairstyles of men were influenced by WWII. That’s why men favored practical, short haircuts like buzz cuts and other military-inspired cuts. The go-to haircuts were neat and short with a slightly puffy quiff at the front. These cuts were practical, easy to care for and expressed a sense of patriotism. Slicked-back, side-parted styles, often set with pomade for a shiny look, remained in fashion for those not in the military.

1950s — Crew Cut or Flat Top?

The 1950s saw a split in men’s hairstyles. Whilst conservative men stuck to short, sleek styles, the rise of rock ‘n’ roll saw the introduction of the pompadour and ducktail (DA), inspired by icons such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Marlon Brando and James Dean. These looks featured longer, voluminous tops, slicked back with heavy pomade for a rebellious yet stylish look.

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1960s — Pompadours, Boxcars, and Ducktails

The 1960s saw a shift towards longer hair for men, reflecting the counter-cultural movements of the time. In the mid-60s, the hippie style revolutionised men’s hair and beard styles. That’s why, 60s haircuts marked a departure from strict grooming norms. The Beatles revolutionised men’s hairstyles with their mop-top cuts, longer bangs and shaggy, unstyled styles. The counterculture movement supported longer, natural hair, and facial hair – moustaches and sideburns – made a comeback.

1970s — Time for Change in Male Hair Styles

The 1970s saw long, free-flowing hairstyles, often with layered cuts and shaggy textures. Disco and rock culture inspired men to grow sideburns, moustaches and beards. The Afro style became popular, celebrating the natural texture of hair. Feathered hair, made famous by John Travolta, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Paul McCartney, became a trendy choice.

1980s — Male Hairstyles are in Search of Identity

Hairstyles in the 80s represented people’s search for identity and the desire to be unique. The 1980s were all about volume and excess. Both women and men embraced permed, big and heavily styled hair, often with mullet cuts—short in the front, long in the back. Spiked styles, blow-dried quiffs and heavily gelled looks were popularised by rock stars and actors. Beards were less common, but thick moustaches remained iconic.

1990s — Styleless Style

The grunge movement of the 1990s led to natural, unstyled hair looks. Many guys wore medium-length, slightly messy hair, while others had buzz or curtain cuts, made popular by celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp. Gel spikes and frosted tips became popular in the late 90s thanks to boy bands.

2000s — Pop-punk Effects Men’s Hair

In the early 2000s, spiky, gelled hair and fauxhawks, inspired by pop-punk culture, became popular. Buzz cuts and short, textured crops became popular, mirroring a move towards low-maintenance, polished looks. Celebrities such as David Beckham popularised short, stylish fades, which influenced men’s grooming trends.

2010s — Vintage-inspired Hairstyles

The 2010s saw a big comeback of vintage-style hairstyles, especially undercuts, pompadours and slicked-back looks. The fade haircut became a staple, usually with a longer top for a sharp, stylish contrast. At the same time, full beards and well-groomed facial hair made a comeback, thanks to the hipster movement.

2020s — The race for Individuality

Current men’s hairstyles are all about natural textures, soft fades and easy styling. Messy crops, textured quiffs and modern mullets are all really popular right now, and they give a more relaxed yet fashionable look. And beards are still going strong, but now it’s more about keeping them short and well-maintained. The focus is on being versatile and individual, with many men trying out different styles.

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