History Of Men's Hair

Written & Photographed By Georgia Horsch

Modeled By Ayo Oyedeji, Kobey Tate, Cole Vest, Mason Mihalevich, Pranav Sadhvani, Sutton Shields, Giovanni Astone, Tanner Love, & Tristen Maulorico

The history of men’s hairstyles is a fascinating journey that spans over different periods of time, reflecting shifts in cultural, social, and fashionable trends. For these styles can be adapted and combined to create unique looks, and they often reflect personal influences. Here is a brief overview of the history of men’s hair.

In Ancient Egypt, men and women shaved their heads and wore wigs made from sheep’s wool or human hair. The Ancient Greeks often had short, curly hair. Beards were also common, and facial hair grooming was very important. Braids and beads were symbols of wealth. Romans favored short, well-groomed haircuts, and many men wore beards as well. The fall of the Roman Empire resulted in royalty growing their hair to assert dominance and wealth. Modern citizens were then the only ones with short hair while royalty left their hair natural and long. 

During the Middle Ages, long hair and beards stayed fashionable due to its popularity amongst European nobility. Knights often sported long flowing locks, which were usually tucked into their helmets. Most men during this time wore hats or clips in their hair as well. Long hair was a symbol of masculinity for men. The symbol of long hair had to do with lifetime, as well as victory and royalty. This also depended which region you lived in during the middle ages. We also see this today in shows like “Game of Thrones,” “Vikings,” and “Lord of the Rings.”

Throughout the Renaissance era, Europeans returned to shorter hair styles and clean-shaven faces among the European elites. Wigs were then made from horsehair or human hair and became popular by the upper class. The men at this time also wore braids, intertwined with ribbons and jewels; this was fashionable among the upper class.

The 18th and 19th centuries brought upon different hairdos. In the 18th century, wigs remained popular, but some men began to wear their natural hair in a coiffed and powdered style. The 19th century had men experimenting with different styles of facial hair. Full beards and mustaches become trendy again. Hairstyles of this time include the pompadour and the regency hairstyles.

The 20th century witnessed a wide range of men's hairstyles—an era we're continuing to experiment in. American white culture and fashion from the 1900s to the present, marked a time of significant social and cultural change, with the rise of the roaring 20s, and the great depression following. Pomade was invented in 1921 and was used consistently by men to shape their hair and beards. Pomade is a hair styling product that is used to achieve various hair looks and hold styles in place. This is how the slicked back looks of the 1930s and pompadours and crewcuts of the 1950s were shaped. 

The civil rights movement had a significant influence on various aspects of society, including fashion and grooming within men’s hairstyles. The movement increased a sense of pride in black identity, which extended to embracing natural hair textures. Black men and women chose to wear their hair in its natural state, showcasing afros, curls, and other natural styles, as a symbol of self acceptance and resistance to Eurocentric beauty standards. White men’s hairstyles reflected the prevailing fashion trends of the era, but we’re not as directly influenced by the movement as black men’s hairstyles. 

White men introduced the hippie and counterculture styles in the late 60s and 70s. Rock ‘n’ roll and the Beatles influenced these hairstyles as well; introducing the bowl cut, the “mop top”, bangs, and long hair, representing a free spirited appearance. The resistance to traditional grooming was an expression of the rebellion against societal norms, particularly among the youth.

The 1980s featured extravagant hairstyles, including mullets and big hair. In recent decades, there has been a trend towards more natural and shorter hairstyles, with facial hair rising in and out of fashion. 

Today, men’s hairstyles are diverse, with options ranging from buzz cuts or fades, to longer, more textured looks. In the 2010s, the trend of men dying their hair gained significant traction from celebrities and pop culture, making vibrant and unconventional hair colors more acceptable for men. This trend was driven in part by a shift in societal attitudes towards gender and self expression. Many men, particularly younger generations, became more open to experimenting with their hair color as a means of personal expression and style. Men have also been dying their hair natural colors to cover gray hair and has been common for many years. 

 Beards and facial hair continue to be popular, with various styles and grooming trends emerging. The availability of grooming products and tools has made it easier for men to experiment with different looks. The cop mustache trend gained prominence in the 70’s and 80’s in the US, particularly among law enforcement officers. The cop mustache became associated with traits like toughness, masculinity and authority which contributed to enduring popularity. It has also been adopted by individuals outside of law enforcement in 2023. Now, mustaches are back in a big way, possibly surpassing beards as the coolest facial hair style. 

Men’s hairstyles have always been influenced by factors like culture, societal norms, fashion, and personal preferences. They continue to evolve, allowing individuals to express themselves in unique and creative ways while reflecting the trends of their time.