The 1960s freed men of the conservative hairstyles they had worn for so long. New changing looks offered different, edgier styles for those that wanted to branch out and try something new. The 50s started the movement, and the 60s truly got it going. Rock and roll changed the way men saw hair, and many started using it as another accessory to show off their personalities.
10 of the Best 1960s Hairstyles for Me
The Flip
@myaxhair
Increasing in popularity since the 50s, flip hairstyles for men were even more favored by 1960. This look was inspired by rock stars, and has a bit longer hair flipped down and around over the forehead. It is an edgy messy look that many young men began to enjoy showing off.
The Pompadour
@spencer_toews
The pompadour became famous after Elvis Presley made his debut, and became one of the most popular 1960s men’s hairstyles. In previous years, men had a center or side part. The big pompadour iconic hairstyles have no part in the hair at all, already making it unique. The hair is also raised off the forehead with more volume, giving it an edgy twist that many enjoyed. This popular hairstyle works well for men with medium hair.
The Crew Cut
@themobilebarberdubai
What is known as the crew cut hairstyle was a popular choice for the more conservative men back in the 1960s. This was actually a shorter style similar to a buzz cut rather than the straight and short cut that was previously seen. No hair wax, hair gel, or other hair product was needed to keep the hair in place like former styles required.
The Mop Top
@jedward.scissorhands
Another long hair style inspired by musical artists, the mop top haircut became well-known in the 60s. This was essentially a shaggy style that had the hair roughly medium length and left sitting around the top of the head.
The textured hair with thick bangs came down to the eyebrows at least. The hair length fell near the neck in the back, making it one of the longest styles men in that time period had ever worn.
African American Short Styles
@tribeca
By 1960, numerous men’s hairstyles changed throughout the United States. This included African-American styles that were now becoming more common to see. Musicians were taking the stage and making names for themselves when that had not been done much previously. Many short and curly hairstyle variations were kept for those in the community. This included a crew cut, and even a previous conservative look with simple straight hair oiled up and waved back.
Many changing looks developed in the 1960s. It was a time of rock, roll, and a new look at how hair could affect life. Some shorter, straight styles that were deemed conservative still remained, but the edgier choices became more prominent. The fact that slicked-back hair of the 1960s men’s hairstyles was mostly replaced with the pompadour, was thanks to the rock legend, Elvis Presley. The look is now a regular occurrence in today’s society, and has been one of the most iconic hairstyles since this decade.
Afro Hairstyle
@hair_by_aishasuma
When Afro hair wasn’t styled in an easy-going Bob Marley manner, it was mostly worn in a short and curly hairstyle.
Beatles Haircut
@essential_rinse
We could hardly talk about the 1960s hairstyles and rock groups that influenced the 1960s men’s hairstyles fashion and not to mention the Beatles along with John Lennon and Paul McCartney as the biggest fashion trendsetters of their time. Their natural form mop top with comb-over layers and an effortlessly side-swept fringe made a huge transformation in men’s medium and short hair preferences.
Hippie Haircuts
@crafterelena
Messy locks, long hair, braids, dreadlocks, bangs, hair beads, and headbands typically contribute to the best hippie-inspired 1960s hairstyles. 70 years past hippie haircuts turned a lot of heads, and so do they nowadays. Combine your hippie popular haircut with a beanie, tunnels, or facial hair to get the maximum out of this 1960s look.
Ivy League Hair
@daniel_l_egri
In contrast to high and long hair, the 1960s barbers offered more reserved and basic Ivy League men’s hairstyles. This hairstyle features slightly longer top hair, which is neatly swept to the back or to the side with hair gel and a comb. The sides are tapered, which creates the effect of geometrical hairstyles.
Bowl Shape Men's Haircut
@lecapillarium
No matter if you call it a bowl cut or a men bob, this medium straight hair 1960s popular hairstyle with edgy ends and a textured top layer definitely rocks. Your hair doesn’t need a radical change to get this style. The hair should be swept forward from the vertex and cut in a sharp line around.
FAQs
Why did men grow their hair in the 1960s?
Because the 1960s most popular hairstyles were introduced by John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, Rolling Stones, and other rock musicians. They are responsible for starting such a widespread longer hair trend. The social revolution of the 1960s led to unchecked hair growth, freedom afro hair, grown-out mullet hairstyles, triangular shapes, and other long geometrical cuts. Long hairstyles for men were worn as a protest and as a symbol of masculinity.
What hairstyle was the most popular for men in the 60s?
In case we have to choose among multiple 1960s men’s hairstyles we’ve listed above, let’s say a pompadour and its variations. Although, mop top hairstyles for men are also the feature hair cut of the decade.
Were braids popular in the 60s?
Braids were incorporated into hippie hairstyle variations in the 60s. Thus, braided hairstyles were worn by men in different variations, often combined with beads, headbands, and other hair accessories.
How did black men’s hairstyles change in the 60s?
In the 1960s “the black is beautiful” movement was gaining traction, so the variety of freedom Afro hairstyles was growing through black men embracing their natural textured hair. Afros and dreadlocks were viral 1960s men’s hairstyles for curly locks.
Did guys have long hair in the 60s?
Absolutely. The Beatles brought the fashion of wearing medium and long hair for men, so most 1960s hairstyles feature at least shoulder-length hair.
Which hair products were used in the 1960s?
Probably, it’s a hair spray that was the most popular hair styling product in the 1960s. No wonder, since a typical 1960s hairstyle features excessive volume and height that have to be fixed with hairspray. For shorter and less voluminous styles like a comb-over, hair wax and hair gel were used.
What is a Beatle haircut?
A Beatle hair cut aka mop top got its name because of its resemblance to a mop. It’s a medium-length haircut slightly reaching the shirt collar, with a straight cut around and long straight bangs, which are often swept to the side.