The 1970s was arguably the most revolutionary decade for men's hair, ushering in an era of freedom, length, and natural texture that completely broke from the strict grooming standards of the past. Today, in late 2025, that rebellious, carefree energy is back, with retro cuts like the Shag and the Feathered Look dominating men's style guides and social media feeds, proving that the best trends always circle back.
This deep dive explores the seven most iconic 70s hairstyles for men, detailing their history, their modern interpretation, and the exact products you need to achieve these fresh, voluminous looks right now. From rock-and-roll texture to disco-ready flow, the 70s revival is all about embracing volume and movement over rigid precision.
The Iconic Seven: 70s Hairstyles That Define a Decade and a New Trend
The 1970s was a period of incredible stylistic diversity, moving from the long, hippie-inspired hair of the early years to the slick, disco-ready looks of the late decade. The common thread was a rejection of the crew cuts and pomades of the 50s and 60s, favoring instead a looser, more expressive style.
1. The Shag: The Rock 'n' Roll Texture King
The Shag is the quintessential 70s men's haircut and is currently experiencing one of the biggest revivals in modern men's grooming.
- The Look: Characterized by layers of varying lengths, the shag features shorter layers on top that gradually get longer towards the bottom, creating a voluminous, textured, and slightly unkempt look.
- Original Icons: David Bowie and Mick Jagger cemented the Shag as the ultimate rock-and-roll haircut.
- Modern Take (The "Wolf Cut"): The contemporary version is often called the "Wolf Cut," which is a slightly more aggressive, disconnected take on the Shag and the Mullet, emphasizing heavy texture and movement.
- Styling Secret: The goal is effortless, lived-in flow. Avoid heavy waxes or gels that flatten the natural layers.
2. Feathered Hair: The Blow-Dried Bouffant
Feathered hair was a defining trend, capturing the decade's free spirit and love for voluminous, blow-dried styles.
- The Look: This style features layered hair that is brushed back and to the sides, often around a strong side part, creating a "feathered" effect that frames the face.
- Original Icons: Think of the classic heartthrobs and TV stars of the era.
- Modern Take: The modern Feathered Look is slightly shorter and less dramatically voluminous, focusing on maximizing flow and movement without feeling bulky.
- Styling Secret: A volumizing spray or mousse applied to damp hair, followed by a blow-dryer and a round brush to sweep the front layers back and away from the face, is essential.
3. The Afro: A Symbol of Identity and Empowerment
More than just a hairstyle, the Afro was a powerful cultural statement in the 70s, symbolizing pride, confidence, and authenticity.
- The Look: A naturally grown, spherical mass of hair, the Afro celebrates the natural texture of coily and curly hair.
- Original Icons: Jimi Hendrix was a major figure who popularized the natural, unkempt hair and beard combo.
- Modern Take: Today, the Afro is back, often seen with modern variations like Afro Twists or Locs, maintaining its historical significance while adapting to contemporary tastes.
- Styling Secret: Focus on moisture and definition using natural oils and curl-defining creams to keep the hair healthy and prevent shrinkage.
4. The Mullet: The Business in the Front, Party in the Back
The Mullet, with its contrasting lengths, was a bold and unconventional statement that emerged as a key 70s trend.
- The Look: Short on the top and sides, with a long, flowing back section. It’s an iconic look known for its rebellious, unconventional flair.
- Original Icons: Rock musicians were the primary drivers of the Mullet's popularity.
- Modern Take: The "New Mullet" or "Soft Mullet" is less severe than its 80s counterpart. It often blends the top and side layers into the back more softly, sometimes incorporating the texture of a Shag cut.
- Styling Secret: Sea salt spray is the go-to product for the modern Mullet, as it adds the necessary texture and movement to the longer back section.
5. Long and Sleek: The Straight Rocker Flow
For many men, the 70s was simply about letting their hair grow long, loose, and natural, often past the shoulders.
- The Look: Long, straight, often center-parted hair, sometimes with subtle layering to prevent it from looking too heavy.
- Original Icons: Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin is the epitome of the long, flowing rocker hair of the 1970s.
- Modern Take: This style is timeless. Modern interpretations focus on hair health and shine, ensuring the length is well-maintained and not stringy.
- Styling Secret: Use hydrating styling cream (such as Moroccanoil or Virtue Un-Frizz Cream) to keep the hair sleek, reduce frizz, and give it a healthy weight.
6. The Disco Curls (The "Greaser" Update)
The late 70s saw a shift towards more structured, high-shine looks, heavily influenced by the disco era and films like Saturday Night Fever.
- The Look: Voluminous, slicked-back, and often curly or wavy hair, typically achieved with a strong side part and a shiny finish. This was a modernized take on the 50s "Greaser" style.
- Original Icons: John Travolta’s iconic slicked-back look in Saturday Night Fever is the perfect example of this style.
- Modern Take: Today’s version is less greasy and more about a clean, high-hold, and shiny finish.
- Styling Secret: A classic hair pomade (like Jillian Dempsey Roomie Hair Pomade) or a high-shine gel is necessary to achieve the slicked-back, bold structure of this look.
7. The Pompadour Resurgence
While a classic 50s style, the Pompadour had a resurgence in the 70s, often worn with a slightly looser, more natural texture than its highly structured predecessor.
- The Look: Short sides and a voluminous, swept-up top section that rolls back from the forehead.
- Original Icons: Elvis Presley, even in the 70s, kept this style relevant, and it was adopted by many who preferred a shorter, yet still bold, look.
- Modern Take: The modern Pompadour is often paired with a subtle fade or undercut (like the Undercut Pompadour) for a sharper, more contemporary contrast.
- Styling Secret: Use a blow-dryer with a round brush to create maximum lift and volume at the front, setting it with a medium-hold clay or wax to maintain the height without the stiffness of old-school products.
How to Master the Modern 70s Hair Flow: Essential Products and Techniques
The biggest difference between the 1970s and the modern revival is the product—we now have access to lightweight formulas that deliver volume and texture without the heavy, greasy feel of the past. To truly nail the 70s aesthetic in 2025, you must prioritize "flow" and "movement."
The Must-Have Styling Products for 70s Volume
- Sea Salt Spray: The single most important product for achieving the Shag, Mullet, and Feathered looks. It adds gritty texture, body, and an "effortless" finish.
- Lightweight Styling Cream: Brands like Sachajuan and Moroccanoil offer creams that define waves and curls while controlling frizz, perfect for the long, sleek, or curly styles.
- Volumizing Mousse: Crucial for the Feathered look and Disco Curls. Apply to damp hair before blow-drying to inject serious lift at the roots.
- Texture Powder or Clay: Use these for a matte finish and to create definition in the shorter layers of the Shag, giving it that classic, rock-and-roll separation.
The Essential 70s Hair Technique: Blow-Drying
The key to 70s hair is volume, which is almost always achieved with a blow-dryer. The "bouffant" nature of the Feathered and Pompadour styles requires deliberate technique.
- Prep: Apply your volumizing product (mousse or spray) to towel-dried hair.
- Lift: Use your fingers or a vent brush to lift the hair at the roots while blow-drying, directing the air against the direction of growth for maximum lift.
- Flow/Feather: For feathered styles, use a round brush on the front section, sweeping the hair back and away from the face as you dry it. This creates the signature clean, backward flow.
- Finish: Once dry, apply a small amount of sea salt spray or a light pomade to the ends to define the layers and lock in the movement.
Whether you opt for the rebellious texture of the Shag or the smooth sophistication of the Feathered Look, embracing the 70s aesthetic in 2025 is a guaranteed way to inject some groovy, confident style into your look. The era of long, loose, and natural hair is back, and it’s time to let your flow flag fly.
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