The Most Popular Hairstyles of the 20th Century

Women’s hairstyles have changed immensely over the years, undergoing multiple transformations since 1925. The most popular hairstyles have traditionally followed the trends set by major figures in both Hollywood and in politics.

To determine the most popular hairstyles the year you were born, 24/7 Tempo reviewed hairstyle trends from various sources for each year between 1925 and 2000. We considered research by fashion magazines, vintage hairstyles archived on fashion blogs, corresponded with college of design Fashion Institute of Technology, and consulted experts in the industry.

Iconic figures in Hollywood helped popularize specific hairstyles that corresponded with the effects both world wars had on women. Hairstyles such as the victory rolls, or voluminous curls pinned up around the frame of the face, came about after the United States won World War II.

Hairstyles are part of fashion. And fashion is the economy’s high-wire act — its designers are the odds-defying trapeze artists of the industry. These are the 30 most influential fashion designers of all time.

Click here to see the most popular hairstyles between 1925 and 2000

1925: Brushed Out Waves

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1926: Browband

1927: Blunt Bangs

1928: Bright Red Hair

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1929: Eton Crop

1931: Shingle Cut

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1932: Waves Pulled Low

1933: Deep Side Part

1934: Soft Sculpted Waves

1935: Marcel Wave

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1936: Pin Curls

1937: Rolled and Tucked

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1939: Curled Pigtails

1940: Half-Updo

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1942: Glam Pin Curls

1943: Peekaboo Bangs

1944: Soft Waves

1945: Victory Rolls

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1946: Loose Curls

1947: Crown Braid

1948: Elegant Updos

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1949: Brushed Out Waves

1950: Chignon

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1952: Italian Cut

1953: Short Crop

1954: Blonde Bombshell Hair

1955: Barrel Curls

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1956: Ponytails

1957: Soft Full Curls

1958: French Pleat

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1959: Flipped Out

1960: Stacked Updo

1961: Pageboy

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1962: Bouffant

1963: The Beehive

1964: The Bob

1965: Five Point Cut

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1966: Long and Straight

1967: Short and Natural

1968: Mop Top

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1969: Modern Bouffant

1970: Long and Center-Parted

1971: The Shag

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1972: Afro

1973: Cornrows

1974: Loose Waves

1975: Voluminous Curls

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1976: Wedge Haircut

1977: Bleach Blonde

1978: Farrah Waves

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1980: Edgy Shag

1981: Topknot

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1982: Asymmetrical Updo

1983: Girl-Next-Door Hair

my 1980s mullet shame (CC BY 2.0) by Jennifer Boyer

1986: Crimped

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1987: Red Ringlets

1988: Feathered Bangs

1989: Gelled Curls

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1990: Regal Short Cut

1991: Tumbling Updo

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1993: Box Braids

1994: The Rachel

1995: Butterfly Clips

1996: Wild Streaks

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1997: Spiky Pixie

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1998: Pigtails

1999: Two Front Strands

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2000: Face-Framing Highlights