These iconic hairstyles defined the 1960s – and they still look inspiring

10/3/2019

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Culture Story: These iconic hairstyles defined the 1960s – and they still look inspiring

The swinging sixties were a time of new rules and social revolution. In the light of many dramatic changes, the youth started to think differently, which defined the fashion trends of the generation. Let's remember the rebellious hairstyles of those times.

#1 Bouffant

Made popular by Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s, this hairstyle was copied by millions of women. According to the legend, the bouffant was coined in the 18th century by Marie Antoinette, who wanted her hair to appear thicker. It was modernized by British celebrity hairdresser Raymond Bessone in the 1950s.

#2 Afro

During the decade, the African-American Civil Rights Movement achieved its largest legislative gains, which increased the appreciation of traditional African style in clothing and appearance. It didn't take much time for the interest in African fashion to spread throughout the world, which made afro extremely popular. Since then, many African-Americans stopped straightening their hair.

#3 Beehive

The beehive was invented in 1960 by Margaret Vinci Heldt, a stylist and hairstyling champion based in Chicago. The editors of the magazine "Modern Beauty Shop" asked Margaret to create something completely new, and she came up with the beehive. Margaret's idea was to pile the hair as high as possible – she said that the ideal ratio of hair to face was two to one. As a final touch to her original design, Heldt added a small bee decoration, which inspired the name of a hairstyle.

#4 Bombshell

The 1960s saw a major relaxation of social taboos, and such extravagant hairstyles as the bombshell were becoming more and more popular. Long, flowing, and voluminous – that's how women of fashion loved their hair.

#5 Pixie cut

There were also women who preferred short rebellious cuts. In the 60s, pixie cuts were popularized by actress Mia Farrow and supermodel Twiggy.

#6 Mop top

When "Beatlemania" only began to spread throughout the planet, the Beatles were known for their messy mop-top hair. Just like their music, their looks have driven the whole world crazy, and the mop top hairstyle became a true symbol of style for the generation.

Which of these hairstyles do you like the most?

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

52 Comments

Paula Salem

My hair style was Farrah Fawcett, loved her hair and tried so hard to copy it

Phoebe

I was never partial to the pixie cut myself but Mia Farrow looks so sweet and pretty in this photo. The cut really works for her. You have to have a certain face shape to look good with it.

annieberrey

I love the pixie cut. Super easy and anyone can wear it.

Eve

I had them all at one point or another...I always wanted long straight hair but mine was thick and wavy...we always want what we don't have, lol

John W Shreve

Early '60s, I had a ducktail in the back and a waterfall in the front. End of '60s, regular long hair like a respectable San Franciscan in his 20s.

John W Shreve

David Smith, This is funny. My eyes were blurry from rubbing them and I thought you wrote you were in a tub with Tina Turner, which ain't bad anyway.

John W Shreve

Marianne Frederick Halterman, My first movie star crush. My friends couldn't understand why I liked so many adult movies.

Anita Clark Morton

Eve , I agree, we always want what we don't have. I always had long hair, but it was so fine that I couldn't do much with it. When I was a bit older, I used to get the 'wash&wear' perms. Then the curl would last. I can't even do that anymore. I have diabetes, and the meds have stopped the perm solution from getting into the roots of my hair. Annoying!

vaccarellomichele

I always loved Twiggy and Audrey Hepburn. And of course the Beatles!

Marianne Frederick Halterman

I still wear my hair like Audrey Hepburn. If only I had her face!!!

lmoores

Ellen Sheehan, or Susan Dey from The Partridge Family.

Doris Dallaire

I loved the beehive back then!

Ellen Sheehan

The photo brought us up to about 1967. But starting in about ‘66 and into the ‘70s, long straight hair was one of the major looks. Think Cher or Jean Shrimpton and all the flower people.

Rebecca Woods

I had a Dorothy Hamill haircut when I was a kid.

SultansPoorRider

From teens: Like Liz Montgomery, then long, parted in center & straight. Pretty much most of my adult life so far. When in elementary school, mom got me a pixie cut. Everyone liked it but me. Lol.

Nancy Mueller

I had straight brown hair that refused to curl. My 3 older sisters had curly hair. Of course I always wanted curly hair! Now the “wisdom highlights “ in my hair are my only not straight hair ‼️