70s Haircut Men
Cue the crackle of a vinyl record and the smell of pomade in the air; this is a time when hair wasn’t just hair, it was a headline. The 70s haircut men wore was loud, layered, and unapologetically cool, straddling the line between rebellion and rockstar polish. From classic 70s haircut men who favored timeless swagger to modern 70s haircut men remixing the vibe for today, every strand told a story.
Whether it was 70s haircut men short, 70s haircut men short hair, or flowing freedom in 70s haircut men long and 70s haircut men long hair, the era welcomed it all. Add texture with 70s haircut men curly, sharpen the look for a 70s haircut man, or embrace the attitude of a true 70s haircut male; this decade proved there were endless types of 70s hairstyles to suit every mood and mirror.
Philosophy of 70s Men’s Hair
Men’s hair in the 1970s was guided by belief as much as by style. Grooming shifted away from rigid rules and toward personal freedom, turning hair into a form of self-expression rather than simple maintenance.
1. Freedom Over Precision
Haircuts favored movement and flow over sharp lines. Uneven layers, natural fall, and soft edges were embraced, giving each style individuality and character.
2. Natural Texture Was King
Straight, wavy, curly, or coiled; hair was worn as it naturally grew. Men stopped fighting texture and began shaping it, reflecting a broader cultural embrace of authenticity.
3. Length as Power
Longer hair became a symbol of confidence, rebellion, and creative independence. It challenged traditional ideas of masculinity and signaled freedom of thought.
4. Identity Through Fashion
Hair connected men to music, culture, and subcultures; from rock and disco to funk and bohemian life, making each haircut a visual statement of who they were.
Together, these principles formed a grooming philosophy that valued individuality over conformity and expression over control. This approach to hair made the 1970s unforgettable; not just as a decade of iconic styles, but as a moment when men were finally free to look like themselves.
Trends: 70s Haircut Men
1. Shag
The shag was beautifully unbothered. Layers fell where they pleased, ends feathered themselves out, and the whole 70s haircut looked like it had survived a few late nights; and enjoyed every one of them. Think musicians, artists, and guys who lived somewhere between a dive bar and a recording studio.
Face shape: Oval and square friendly
Modern touch: Soft taper, cleaner edges
Products to use: Light mousse, texture spray
Vibe: Carefree rocker cool swagger
Maintenance level: Low effort, regular trims
Also Read: Shaggy Haircuts for Men
2. Feathered Flow
Immortalized by movie stars and TV heartthrobs, the feathered 70s haircut was smooth, cinematic, and unapologetically handsome. Hair swept back in airy layers, moving with the breeze like it had its own soundtrack. This was confidence without shouting.
Face shape: Oval, heart, rectangular shapes
Modern touch: Shorter sides, subtle layers
Products to use: Blow-dry cream, light pomade
Vibe: Laid-back leading man charm
Maintenance level: Moderate styling, frequent shaping
3. Afro
More than a 70s haircut, the Afro was cultural pride made visible. Full, rounded, and powerful, it stood tall in a decade of change, activism, and self-expression. It didn’t whisper style; it spoke it clearly and boldly.
Face shape: Round, oval, balanced profiles
Modern touch: Tapered sides, shaped silhouette
Products to use: Moisturizing cream, curl sponge
Vibe: Bold, proud, revolutionary cool
Maintenance level: Consistent care, proper hydration
4. Side Part Slick
While the decade leaned wild, some men kept it sharp. The 70s side-part slick was polished but not stiff, blending old-school discipline with new-school looseness. Worn by businessmen by day and nightlife kings by night.
Face shape: Square, oval, angular faces
Modern touch: Natural shine, relaxed part
Products to use: Medium pomade, styling cream
Vibe: Smooth operator retro confidence
Maintenance level: Neat styling, regular upkeep
5. Mullet
Business up front, party in the back; and zero apologies. The late-70s mullet was rebellious, ironic before irony was cool, and worn by men who didn’t mind being remembered. It was chaos with a plan.
Face shape: Oval, long, diamond shapes
Modern touch: Subtle contrast, cleaner back
Products to use: Texture paste, light hairspray
Vibe: Rebellious outlaw rock energy
Maintenance level: Intentional mess, shaped often
Also Read: Mullet Haircut for Men
6. Bowl Cut
Before it became ironic, the bowl cut was earnest, artsy, and oddly futuristic. In the 70s, it wasn’t about perfection; it was about symmetry with attitude. Think avant-garde students, European cool, and guys who listened to vinyl before it was trendy again.
Face shape: Oval, narrow, angular faces
Modern touch: Textured edges, broken lines
Products to use: Matte clay, dry paste
Vibe: Retro intellectual artsy confidence
Maintenance level: Precision cut, minimal styling
Also Read: Bowl Cut for Men
7. Long Straight Curtain
Hair parted down the middle, falling past the ears like a quiet rebellion. This was the look of poets, drifters, and men who preferred conversation over confrontation. Clean, simple, and effortlessly magnetic.
Face shape: Oval, heart, balanced faces
Modern touch: Soft layers, natural movement
Products to use: Leave-in conditioner, serum
Vibe: Gentle, bohemian, introspective cool
Maintenance level: Low styling, healthy trims
8. Permed Wave
When straight hair wanted drama, the perm delivered. Tight curls or loose waves added volume, bounce, and undeniable presence. This look danced under disco lights and refused to be ignored.
Face shape: Oval, long, square faces
Modern touch: Loose curl pattern, tapered sides
Products to use: Curl cream, diffuser foam
Vibe: Flashy disco-era self-expression
Maintenance level: High care, defined routine
9. Rockstar Mane
Long, wild, and intentionally untamed. This was hair grown from freedom, sweat, and stage lights. No sharp lines, no rules; just length, volume, and movement that screamed late nights and loud guitars.
Face shape: Oval, long, rugged features
Modern touch: Shaped layers, healthier ends
Products to use: Sea salt spray, light oil
Vibe: Raw, electric, rebellious energy
Maintenance level: Low structure, regular conditioning
10. Short Crop Revival
Not every man went long. Some kept it cropped, masculine, and practical, but still distinctly 70s. This 70s haircut balanced discipline with softness, perfect for men who liked control without looking rigid.
Face shape: Square, oval, round faces
Modern touch: Natural texture, faded neckline
Products to use: Cream pomade, grooming tonic
Vibe: Confident, understated masculine charm
Maintenance level: Easy upkeep, clean lines
11. Blowout
Big hair, bigger attitude. The 70s blowout was all volume and motion, shaped by a round brush and a little ambition. This 70s haircut was the sound of funk, soul, and confidence walking into a room before the man himself.
Face shape: Oval, round, balanced faces
Modern touch: Controlled volume, softer crown
Products to use: Volumizing cream, blow-dry spray
Vibe: Bold, charismatic showstopper energy
Maintenance level: High styling, regular shaping
12. Mod Cut
Borrowed from late-60s London and refined in the 70s, the mod 70s haircut was sharp, stylish, and deliberate. Clean lines, structured shape, and a subtle edge made it perfect for men who liked their rebellion well-tailored.
Face shape: Oval, square, heart shapes
Modern touch: Textured fringe, relaxed finish
Products to use: Matte pomade, styling cream
Vibe: Cool, controlled, urban confidence
Maintenance level: Frequent trims, light styling
13. Natural Wave
This 70s haircut didn’t fight texture; it celebrated it. Loose waves sat just right, never forced, never overdone. The kind of hair that looked better the longer the day went on.
Face shape: Oval, long, soft features
Modern touch: Layered shape, cleaner neckline
Products to use: Curl enhancer, lightweight oil
Vibe: Effortless, earthy, soulful calm
Maintenance level: Low effort, moisture focused
Also Read: Wavy Hairstyles for Men
14. Pageboy
Straight, smooth, and quietly stylish, the pageboy walked the line between youthful and refined. Popular among creative circles, it carried a soft confidence and an understated cool that felt ahead of its time.
Face shape: Oval, narrow, angular faces
Modern touch: Textured ends, natural movement
Products to use: Smoothing cream, shine serum
Vibe: Art school cool, subtle rebellion
Maintenance level: Precision cut, moderate upkeep
15. Tapered Classic
The decade’s answer to tradition. Shorter sides, fuller top, and a shape that respected the past while nodding to the present. This 70s haircut proved you could evolve without abandoning your roots.
Face shape: Square, oval, round faces
Modern touch: Soft fade, natural texture
Products to use: Grooming cream, light pomade
Vibe: Timeless, grounded, masculine ease
Maintenance level: Clean upkeep, easy styling
16. Funk Cut
Short in places, full in others, and always intentional. The funk cut was rhythm made visible; tight control mixed with expressive volume. You saw it in dance halls, on bass players, and on men who moved like the music never stopped.
Face shape: Round, oval, balanced profiles
Modern touch: Sharper taper, defined crown
Products to use: Curl cream, defining butter
Vibe: Groovy, confident, kinetic energy
Maintenance level: Consistent shaping, moisture care
17. Soft Pompadour
The pompadour loosened up in the 70s. Less height, more flow, and a natural finish that felt relaxed rather than rigid. It was retro elegance without the stiffness; perfect for men who liked polish with soul.
Face shape: Square, oval, angular faces
Modern touch: Lower volume, textured lift
Products to use: Cream pomade, blow-dry balm
Vibe: Refined, vintage, effortless cool
Maintenance level: Moderate styling, clean trims
18. Side Swept Layer
Hair brushed to the side with purpose, layers catching light and movement. This 70s haircut lived comfortably between casual and refined, adapting easily from daytime to nightlife.
Face shape: Oval, heart, rectangular faces
Modern touch: Feathered layers, soft part
Products to use: Light mousse, styling lotion
Vibe: Smooth, approachable, classic charm
Maintenance level: Easy styling, regular shaping
19. Fringe Forward
A longer fringe worn front and center, slightly rebellious and quietly bold. This 70s haircut gave the eyes focus and the face character, often worn by thinkers, writers, and men who preferred understatement.
Face shape: Long, oval, angular faces
Modern touch: Textured fringe, tapered sides
Products to use: Matte paste, texturizing spray
Vibe: Introspective, cool, understated edge
Maintenance level: Trim-heavy, low daily effort
20. Western Wave
Inspired by desert highways and outlaw imagery, this 70s haircut mixed length with rugged texture. Natural waves, sun-worn edges, and a shape that felt more lived-in than styled.
Face shape: Oval, square, rugged features
Modern touch: Cleaner neckline, controlled flow
Products to use: Sea salt spray, conditioning oil
Vibe: Free-spirited, rugged, cinematic cool
Maintenance level: Low structure, high conditioning
Final Thoughts
As the disco ball slows and the denim fades, the legacy of the decade lives on through silhouettes that still turn heads. From the cheeky charm of 70s bob haircut men to the fringe-forward flair of 70s bangs haircut men and the perfectly undone 70s shag haircut men, these styles refuse to retire quietly.
The influence runs deeper and richer in looks like 70s haircut black men and iconic 70s hairstyles for black men, where texture, volume, and identity took center stage. Call it nostalgia, call it confidence, but whether you label it 70s haircut male or simply timeless style, one thing’s certain: the ’70s didn’t just change men’s hair, it taught it how to strut.
FAQs: 70s Haircut Men
1. What was the hairstyle in the 70s for men?
Men’s hairstyles in the 1970s were defined by freedom and self-expression, featuring longer lengths, layered cuts, natural texture, and bold volume. Popular styles included the shag, feathered hair, Afro, long straight hair, side-parted looks, and early mullets; each reflecting individuality rather than strict grooming rules.
2. Why were men’s haircuts longer in the 1970s?
The 70s embraced cultural rebellion, music influence, and personal freedom, encouraging men to grow their hair longer as a statement against conservative grooming norms of previous decades.
3. What was the most popular men’s haircut in the 1970s?
The shag haircut was one of the most popular styles, known for its layered, messy look that worked across music, film, and everyday life, making it a true symbol of the decade.
4. Did all men in the 70s have long hair?
No, while long hair was common, many men wore shorter or medium length styles such as tapered classics, side part haircuts, and neat crops that still reflected the softer, more natural aesthetic of the era.
5. Are 70s men’s hairstyles still popular today?
Yes, many modern hairstyles borrow heavily from the 70s, including textured layers, curtain haircuts, modern mullets, and natural waves, all updated with cleaner lines and contemporary grooming techniques.
