Top 22 Men's Hairstyles from The 1980s

One of the most striking features of the 80s hairstyle is undeniably the exaggeration for guys. Whether you see it in styling, length or improvisation, it is the deviation from the simple and understated is what sets it apart from the rest. In terms of retro styling, it is one that is hard to miss and will always make an impression.

 

Best 1980s Hairstyles for Guys

In case you are keen on sporting the 80s men’s hairstyles, here is a quick lowdown on some of the most striking options. What sets these styles apart is the fact that despite the years, these have retained a certain timeless quality about them.

1. Bandana Style for Long Hair 

Growing your hair long? Frame your 80s long hairstyle for men with bandana accessories to emulate this rocker style. You may remember it most famously thanks to Brett Michaels, who made the look iconic.

When caring for longer hair it’s a good idea to invest in a high quality conditioner and to deep condition hair weekly or biweekly. For curly hair, use curl cream on clean, wet hair. 

 

2. Fresh High and Tight

Iconic thanks to Will on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the high and tight look is one of the freshest 80s hairstyle for Black guys. Today, the look still holds up.

To make it your own, ask your barber to adjust the fade at the sides of the head according to your face shape. A high undercut is perfect for a long or oval face shape. To stay true to the decade, round your line up.

Add a touch of beard to balance out your facial structure if you want to go for a more chiseled look. 

 

3. Retro Feathered Shag

After the 70s, hair lengths got a bit shorter. Shags remained in style, they just got shorter too. If soft charm is your thing, than look no further than this men’s 80s feathered hair. It feels youthful and slightly artsy, so it’s not ideal for the clean cut guy but rather the romantic.

Swooping side bangs fantastically frame light eyes. The round shape of a feathery shag softens a square jaw line. Ask your stylist to bring the hair down below the ears to help frame your jaw and your overall face shape. 

Obviously this style works on any hair color, but it has a totally beach-y vibe on sandy blonde hair. 

 

4. Curly Mullet

Looking for a style that is truly unique? Then you’ll love this 80s curly mullet for men. Mullets aren’t for everyone, but if business in the front, party in the back is your eternal mood, then it’s time you go this ‘do. 

For fellas with a square face shape, a beard helps to balance and soften. If your hair tends to run dry, use a moisturizing mask once a week. 

 

5. Short Curtain Style 

Frame gorgeous eyes and strong eyebrows with an 80s curtain hairstyles for guys. Middle parts aren’t for everyone, but they work well on with oval face shapes. 

Because high and tight styles are very on trend right now, the short sides of this hairstyle actually feels really relevant. Get your hands on your favorite pomade and work it into hair to create discreetly styled tousles. 

 

6. Short Faux Hawk with Beard 

Salt and pepper never looked so good! Short, clean styles like a faux hawk work best as an 80s men’s hairstyle with beard. Buzz hair short near the temples and don’t be afraid to grow your mustache thick and long at the sides of the upper lip. 

Hair doesn’t have to be gray to work this style, though a longer beard looks rather polished in an ashy gray color. The main theme of this look is polished and chic, so consider it if you prefer life on the sleeker side. 

 

7. Epic Pompadour

Embrace maximalism with a larger than life 80s pompadour hairstyle for guys. Or, let it inspire a more tamed style. Not everyone is walking a couture runway show! For a subdued pompadour, focus on sleek locks gelled back to perfection. 

You’ll need lots of hair gel and patience to create this suave, elevated style. It’s easier to mold naturally straight hair, as hair with too much texture can make this style more challenging than it’s worth. 

 

8. Springy Curls

Not ready to commit to a full blown style from another decade? Try a curly 80s weave hairstyle for men to see how it can work with your personal, day to day style.

Springy curls with a short fringe are perfect for the guy with a big personality. Not only do curly bangs frame the face but they hide a false hairline that often makes wearing a wig a dead giveaway. 

 

9. Combover 

Greaser styles are slick, chic, and perfect on the bad boy. If you’re the type to wear a suit to work or perhaps you just  prefer looking sharp, then try a combover 80s greaser hairstyle for guys. Don’t worry about hair looking too perfect, either. A lock or two falling over your forehead has just the right amount of charm.

This option is ideal for guys with naturally straight hair. Square and oval face shapes really benefit from the softening aspect of a side part, too. 

 

10. Sleek and Edgy 

Emphasize your chiseled features with an 80s rock hairstyle for men. Think Elvis or even James Dean as your inspiration. 

A sleek style is obviously easier to do on straight hair with texture, but a straightener or a relaxer can straighten curlier hair with ease. When styling you’ll want to leave a lock or two down to curl over the forehead for a sexy touch. 

 

 

11. Long Hair with Beard

Long hair was rather common in the 80s. It was often a statement in itself. In this typical blast from the past makeover, the hair designed in beautiful layers and with appropriate blonde highlights for guys. This is what gives this styling a brand new contemporary touch.

In many ways, it is also the key factor that helps sustain its timeless quality across generations and styling sensibilities. It is cool, sophisticated and decidedly retro in every possible way.

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12. Flat Top Haircut

The 80s hairstyles for guys are incomplete without a reference to their musical inspiration. It was an era where music ruled fashion, and therefore, it is hard not to see the trademark Bobby Brown influence in 80s hairdos.

It is simple, suave, sophisticated but at the same time screams of absolute masculine charm that is hard to resist.

It is a style that works both in boardrooms and ballrooms and creates a definitive impression. Appreciation and admiration follow rather effortlessly for most sporting this style.

 

13. Mullet Style

From soccer stars to musical greats, the mullet style is so intensely 80s that it is hard to separate both.

This is one of those vintage hairstyles for men that has continued to exude the same type of esoteric charm as it had almost four decades ago. The sophisticated adaptation of this retro style gives it a rather contemporary touch in modern times.

 

14. Fringe Haircut

The fringes are another key concept that started taking shape in the 80s. Be it’s men’s hairstyle or women; the fringes work beautifully to introduce a certain degree of variation in the overall styling.

For the men with the clean-shaven look, these fringes also work towards introducing the subtle masculinity of their personality.

The idea is to create a stunning look that is known for its timelessness, and these fringes with short-cropped hair represent exactly that. In many ways, that makes it such a standout styling option.

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15. Punk Style Japanese Pompadour

This hairstyles seeks to bring in the lilting musical inspiration to the light. The hair is shaped like a pompadour. But instead of the traditional comb back, it is arranged in a spike-like punk fashion. That gives this style its current contemporary idiom and makes it stand out.

The timelessness and the definitive statement that this style makes wins it admiration galore. It is a type of style that will always manage to win eyeballs and help you gather praise. It is short with spikes. As a result, the maintenance of this style is also relatively easy.

 

16. George Michael Style – Textured Quiff

When we are talking of the 80s hair, how can we not mention George Michael? This textured quiff is one of those quintessentially 80s styles that continue to win admiration even today.

Practical and stylish, the textured hair makes the quiff stand out in a meaningful way. The best part is you do not have to spend hours fixing the spike.

The textured hair falls effortlessly and keeps the quaint quiff in place. This also goes on to add a subtle masculine assertiveness to the whole styling, and in many ways, that makes it a timeless alternative.

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17. Julius Ceaser Cut

It is practical, trendy and popular. In fact, this is one of the few hairstyles of the 1980s that have managed to transcend the time barrier both in terms of appeal and popularity of this style.

The effortless fall, easy maintenance, and the relatively simple styling make it one of the top favorites amongst men.

 

18. Short Hair with Wispy Fringe 

Give off that schoolboy charm with an 80s short hairstyle for guys. Ferris Bueller is our dream 80s inspiration for this look! Add a beard for some definition and a touch of maturity. 

This style is seen on straight hair types, but it works for naturally wavy and even curly textures alike. Longer bangs that dip lowest in the middle creates structure and balance on a round face shape.  

 

19. Medium Layered Hair 

What is better than gorgeous 80s layers? This decade was all about cropping hair to medium length while emphasizing beautiful, natural texture. Full faces look suddenly defined with lots of choppy layers that cut into the cheek and sharpen cheekbones.

If you have thick hair, then this style will be a dream for you. Again, round faces benefit from a side part. Sparse yet visible facial hair will ground the rest of your look. 

 

20. Wispy Punk 

Not every 80s style is for pretty boys! Punk looks started to emerge alongside rock music during this decade. Guys that want to show off their unique style can turn to this spidery style with bleach blonde highlights.

By dyeing the outer layer of hair blonde, you’re attracting light to your look while grounding your features with natural brunette underneath. Think this spiky style may be your next hairstyle? If your hair is on the thinner or finer side, then this style will create the volume that you have been searching for.

 

21. Bi-Level Style 

Mullet, shag, bi-level- all of these words describe hair that is longer in the back and shorter in the front. This medium length style, called a bi-level in the 80s, was pretty iconic for the decade. Ideal for thick hair types with lots of texture, a bi-level controls volume while looking professional.

Thanks to sufficient hair worn down behind the ears, this style is especially great for guys with long or even oval face shapes. To tamper down puffiness at the top of the head, add a shallow part cut slightly off center. 

 

22. Tall and Curly Fringe 

This style is all about the bangs. Elsewhere, hair is worn cropped closely to the head to create a framing effect. It is ideal on curly hair types so as to emphasize lots of envious volume at the front of the head. 

For a brooding attitude, let some locks fall down over the bridge of the nose. This look is perfect for younger guys searching for a touch of cool. 

The top 22 men’s hairstyles from the 80s are all about balancing the retro elements with modern trends. The timelessness of a style is what sets it apart from the rest. This is why this guide on the 80s hairstyles is all about combining the cool elements from the 80s in a modern perspective.

So, be it the mullet or the punk style, what you see is a modern interpretation of a rather retro fashion statement. In some ways, this is also a much-needed adaptation.

It is this versatility and flexibility of styling that helps retain the timeless aspect of these haircuts. It is this X factor that sets these styles apart and helps them keep their popularity intact even after decades.