Old school chic elevated by 15 mens hairstyles in the 80s that you can wear today

If you are searching for inspiration for how men had their hair in the 80's, you have come to the right place. Our stylists took some time to share memories of the decade when hit movies like Dirty Dancing set new limits of style and sophistication.

In this article, we share 15 iconic hairstyles of the 1980's that anyone can sport in 2026. From the mullet to the buzz cut, continue reading to find out 15 styles you could rock this year.

Top 1. Mullet

It would be true to say that the most recognizable haircut for men in the 80s is the mullet. Patrick Swayze, George Clooney, and Kurt Russell all had the mullet in the 80s, and the mullet became associated with the biggest stars of movies and sports of that decade.

The mullet haircut is the one which will suit men with medium-long hair, having wild bangs and long straight hair from behind.

There are some hairstyles inspired by the mullet which are fashionable in recent years, one of them being the wolfcut, which gained popularity again in 2026 due to the influence of TikTok.

Top 2. Punk rocker

It should be noted that the punk rock subculture emerged in the 1980s, which included the elements of anti-establishment attitude and the idea that the rockers can do what they want.

In fact, there existed many styles of the punk rockers, such as the mohawk and the side spikes, which gained immense popularity among the goths and the rockers of the 80s.

The distinctive feature of this hairstyle of the men of the 80s was the fact that there existed many garish color combinations, for example, you might see a punk rocker with green, red, or black hair.

In case you have a similar attitude to this fashion style that emerged in the 80s, you may try on the punk rocker look.

Top 3. Feathered

Feathered hairstyles for men in the 80s were inspired by such celebrities as Mel Gibson and Brad Pitt. From the name itself, you can understand that the main idea of feathered hairstyle is volume, big wavy and bouncy hair parted to the side and long hair blown out to accentuate your face.

What made this kind of hairstyle so popular in the 1980s is the fact that it could be done with different types of hair. Men with both long and short hair looked good in this kind of hairstyle.

Many people associate feathered hairstyle with this kind of hairstyle because it was the hairstyle of the heartthrob of those times, and almost any film of the 80s contains it.

Top 4. Perm

Without mentioning the perm, it would be difficult to discuss the hairstyles of the 80s for men because this iconic style was based on curls.

To obtain the desired effect, you will have to visit your stylist to undergo a chemical treatment that changes the structure of your hair slightly.

The main advantage of the perm is that you can choose any hairstyle – starting from small, tight curls and ending with large curls falling below your shoulders.

It appears that men of various professions decided to try their luck with a perm in the 1980s, and it surely deserves to be considered one of the icons of that time.

Top 5. Rat tail

Although most of the 80s haircuts for men remain fashionable nowadays, the rat tail does not belong to them. We cannot help ourselves with such a bad look due to our love of this decade, and that is why we have decided to include it on our list!

Rat tail is just a strip of braided hair, which starts anywhere from any hairstyle and makes no sense in the 80s. And, by the way, it still does not make any sense at all. However, the 80s was a time of discovering and finding oneself, and this haircut is an embodiment of this fact!

Top 6. High flat top fade

One of the most interesting haircuts for black guys of the 80s is a high flat top fade. Such hairstyle was very much appreciated by many hip-hop artists, and it became incredibly popular in the 80s.

This style includes buzzed sides with a smooth fade, while top has a lot of volume and should be at least two inches in height. This haircut aldo remains relevant nowadays and is an amazing way to honor the heroes of hip-hop culture of the 1980s.

Top 7. Slicked-back

You may know the Wolf of Wall Street film and will remember how stylish the slicked back was among the investment bankers in the movie. The look was all about money and power and was the embodiment of the lifestyle of the rich.

The slicked back hairstyle is also fashionable today; however, most men choose to wear the undercut hairstyle on the sides since it brings perfect harmony to the long look on top. Contrary to the rat-tail, the slicked back hairstyle is more than acceptable in 2026.

Top 8. Buzz cut

Although not necessarily an 80s haircut, the buzz cut hairstyle was popular among men in the 80s due to movies about the Vietnam War, which were made during this period.

This simple style was inspired by the buzz cut of the soldiers and was perfect for those men who had short hair.

In order to make the buzz cut hairstyle more interesting, you can ask your barber to buzz a design on your side. You can choose zigzag or diamond shapes. Despite its simplicity, the buzz cut hairstyle is not something that cannot be made more interesting.

Top 9. Shag

The shag was certainly one of the coolest guys' hairstyles of the 1980s. This hairstyle was ideal for rock stars such as David Bowie and early Bon Jovi, and it was just right for men who wanted to avoid looking like they tried too hard. The shag had layers that had medium to long lengths with an untextured finish.

Top 10. Surfer swoop

The surfer swoop was the perfect hairstyle for those males who used to spend their weekend catching waves. A long bleached hair style with a side part and a slight curve at the ends would give an easy going west-coast look.

Top 11. Side part with volume

While middle part was all the rage in the 90s, in 80s it was the dramatic side part with some extra volume. Stylish men could achieve this look by using blow dryer and hairspray, looking quite stylishly, almost like a teenage idol.

Top 12. Wet look

Long before gelling hair became a sin, wet look was the king of hairstyles in the 80s decade. Usually accompanied by a slicked back look or side part, this hairstyle would make hair look as though it was just washed.

Top 13. Long rocker waves

Hair metal bands made sure that hair would never be the same again. The long and wavy hairstyle that could be found on rockers like Axl Rose and Vince Neil was all about being long, wild, and full of attitude. The more teased and messy the better. It even came with accessories.

Top 14. Mod bowl cut

Despite being ridiculed in modern society, the bowl cut became famous during the 80s due to the mod revival and new wave music. This hairstyle was clean, geometrical, and sharp. One of those styles that either you would avoid completely or love it if you want to look cool in the alternative style of the 80s.

Top 15. Spiked fringe

In case you don’t want to change your image by getting a complete mohawk haircut, one of the most popular hairstyles of the 80’s is the spiked fringe. Shorter sides and a spiky top styled with gel or mousse will create a rebellious look for you.

How to get 80's inspired men's hairstyles?

To make men's 80's hairstyles come alive again, you have to embrace a certain vibe. Let us show you how in a few steps with a twist.

Step 1. Grow out your hair a little bit

Many 80's hairstyles require some length to pull off. You should have 3-5 inches of hair minimum.

Step 2. Choose your character

It was all about identity in the 80's. Do you want to rock as a glam metal rocker, a slick businessman, or a skate punk? You can go for it!

Step 3. Blow it out

Voluminous hair reigned supreme during the decade, and voluminous hair requires the perfect blow-out. This is done best by using a good hair dryer like the Laifen Swift Special high-speed hair dryer, which will help you get your voluminous hair quickly without losing that softness and avoiding frizziness at the same time.

Step 4. Give it texture or curls

If you want a perm hairstyle or rocker waves, you will have to do your hair either with heat styling appliances or with a perm at the salon. For curls, use a smaller curling iron.

Step 5. Set the style

Products were used in abundance during the 80s decade, so use a good high-hold mousse before styling and hairspray after.

Step 6. Go crazy

In the 80s, the more voluminous, high and edgy your hair, the better. So if you are asking yourself if you are overdoing it, you aren’t doing it enough.

Hair style tips for men who have classic 80s hair styles

These tips will help you maintain the 80s-style hair do.

• The decade of excess is characterized by loudness, and the Laifen Swift Special fast airflow hairdryer offers you to style your hair with high velocity and heat settings, giving you the ability to create high, flip and bounce as if you got off a Bon Jovi concert bus.

• In the 80s, hairspray was the hair cologne. Apply from afar to get volume without crunching it or apply more and get that out-of-this-world hold like you owned a convertible and you were ready to show it off.

• Bandanas, headbands, even metal hairbands. A simple band wrapped around the forehead will give a punk rock look to long rocker waves; while a tucked-in comb will be perfect with the slicked back Wall Street style.

• There is no room left for flat hair in the 80s. Get yourself choppy layers if you are opting for a shag, a mod bowl haircut or a surfer swoop style. The layers will make sure that the movement in your hair is accentuated.

• While we don’t expect you to turn into a punk rock star, an added highlighting feature and tone would definitely make your hairstyle more of an icon than just retro.

• Maintain your high-top fade neat and precise for formal occasions, but allow your curls to breathe and your mullet to be a little rebellious in casual settings.

Revisited - Hair trends from the 80s for men to try out in 2026

If any of the above mentioned hairstyles are up your alley (minus the rat tail hairstyle!), then we would highly recommend them as they will definitely give you that iconic 80s look in the coming year of 2026. The mullet hairstyle is certainly a favorite among us, but as the wolf cut is quite popular this year, why don't you ask your hairstylist to give it a shot?

Whichever hairstyle you choose, make sure you explore different hairstyles as well because that was what the 80s were all about!

FAQs

Q1: What kind of hairstyles did boys have in the 80s?

Boys' hairdos in the 80s screamed out identity through various hairdos such as feathered layers, mullets, and slicked back style. It is bold, large, and rebellious.

Q2: Was there big hair in the 80s?

Definitely! In the 80s, big hair was all about the attitude, teased, spray, and even defying gravity.

Q3: Were beards popular in the 80s?

In the 80s, beards were not popular at all. The popular styles were shaven faces or carefully groomed beards.

Q4: Whose was the best 80’s hairstyle?

Iconic figures like Jon Bon Jovi and Madonna laid down the perfect benchmark of a generation. His layered rocker look and her volumized curls were the ideal images of a flamboyant era.

Q5: Were hairstyles curled in the 80’s?

Yes, curling was a daily activity. From hot rollers to curling irons to perms, all of these things were routinely used for styling an 80’s hairstyle.

Q6: How to get 80’s perm style hair?

For recreating the 80’s perm hairstyle, you need tight curls, volume on top of the head, and lots of hairspray. And you can be as bold as you wish.