A Well-Curated List Of Hairstyles That Men Rocked Really Hard In The 1980s

The 1980s were a loud, bold decade for men’s hair, and the styles from that era still get attention today. From gravity-defying volume to sharp fades and glossy curls, the look was all about standing out.

Some of the most recognizable cuts of the decade, like the mullet and Jheri curls, became cultural markers as much as fashion choices. Others, including flat tops, mohawks, and slicked-back styles, helped define the decade’s mix of polish, rebellion, and excess.

Here’s a look back at the 1980s hairstyles men rocked hard, and a few of them may look more familiar than you expect.

1. The mullet hairstyle was popular in the '80s. It features a short front and a long back.

2. The Flat Top Hairstyle gave men a very clean and polished look.

That decade really did have a signature look.

3. Jheri curls are a type of curly perm that gives hair a wet and slick appearance.

4. A perm is a hairstyle that uses a chemical process to temporarily straighten or curl hair.

5. The high top fade haircut was popularized in the 1980s by African American communities.

Some of these cuts were impossible to ignore.

6. The Slicked Back Hairstyle has a very professional and put-together vibe and is often seen on men in business or formal settings.

7. The big volume hairstyle was popularized by the punk and New Wave subcultures in the 1980s.

8. Buzz cuts are clean and low-maintenance, popularized by military personnel and athletes in the 1980s.

9. The Mohawk hairstyle is a sharp, edgy look that features a strip of hair running down the middle of the head, from front to back.

And then the punk looks showed up.

This “built different” vibe matches grandparents in 77 vintage photos where safety was basically optional.

10. Spiky hair is a hairstyle in which the hair is styled into points.

11. The Skinhead look was created by shaving all the hair from the head with an electric clipper or razor blade.

12. The short curtain style is a popular '80s hairstyle for men.

It’s a short, spiky style that provides a lot of volume and texture.

13. The combover hairstyle features a bald or shaved top, with hair growing long and styled in a combover on the sides and back.

14. The '80s punk hairstyle was a messy, spiky look that was popular within the punk rock subculture.

By the end, the styles got even more extreme.

15. Shoulder-length hair can have a soft and natural feel.

It is often worn straight with a slight wave or curl.

16. The bleached and dyed hairstyle was popular in the '80s punk rock subculture.

17. The undercut hairstyle features a short, tapered cut on the sides and back, with hair left longer on top.

18. The pompadour hairstyle is a classic '80s hairstyle for men.

The 1980s were a watershed moment in style and fashion. Many of the era’s hairstyles for men are now making a comeback.

The 1980s provide a wealth of hairstyle inspiration, ranging from the majestic mullet to wild curls and bleached blond punk looks. Tell us which of these styles you would love to rock.

Some of these looks still have real staying power.

Want more hair-related chaos? See the failed salon dreams in family photo albums where 50 people begged for forgiveness after those disasters.