When Hair Becomes Part Of The Look
A great hairstyle can become just as recognizable as the person wearing it, especially when that person spends years appearing on movie screens, album covers, television sets, or magazine pages. Some men became associated with a particular cut because they wore it during a defining period of their careers, while others helped turn an existing style into a major cultural trend. From Elvis Presley's pompadour to David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust hair, these looks became so closely connected to their owners that you can often picture the hairstyle before you even picture the person.
1. Elvis Presley’s Pompadour
One of the most iconic hairstyles of the 1950s is Elvis Presley's pompadour. He had his black hair slicked back with tons of volume at the top of his head and large sideburns. Many young males started to copy his style, which became one of his many iconic attributes to go along with his music.
2. James Dean’s Tousled Quiff
James Dean sported his hair in a swept-up fashion. Similar to Elvis Presley, the quiff was very common in the 1950s, but James Dean's gave it a more tousled feel. This hairstyle went along with his look on the big screen.
Trailer screenshot on Wikimedia
3. The Beatles’ Mop Tops
When you think of the Beatles, you think of more than just their music; they were known for their hairstyles as well. The Beatles all had mop tops that were a similar length and had long bangs hanging over their foreheads. Many men started to follow suit in the 1960s.
John Kosh / Iain Macmillan on Wikimedia
4. Jimi Hendrix’s Afro
Jimi Hendrix's large Afro became one of the defining visual features of his appearance during the late 1960s. His natural curls were allowed to grow into a rounded, substantial shape that stood out immediately on stage and in photographs. Hendrix also helped bring the Afro into greater visibility within popular music culture during the era.
Original photographer unknown on Wikimedia
5. Bob Dylan’s Unruly Curls
During the early and mid-1960s, Bob Dylan had curly hair. His hair was never styled to look any nicer than it already did, which was very unconventional for the time. The style eventually became so connected with Dylan that photographs from this period are easy to identify at a glance.
6. Bob Marley’s Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks became one of Bob Marley's trademarks when he became known for playing reggae. Dreadlocks have been around for years and hold significant meaning in many cultures. His hair remained a prominent part of his appearance throughout his career.
7. David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust Mullet
David Bowie changed his look when he decided to play the character Ziggy Stardust. He decided to dye his hair red/orange and style it into what is considered one of the first mullets. Many people still associate David Bowie with the hairstyle.
8. Robert De Niro’s Mohawk
Robert De Niro decided to shave both sides of his head and leave a small streak in the middle for his movie Taxi Driver. His character became more memorable because of his hair. Even though he only had this haircut for one movie, it's hard not to remember it.
9. George Clooney’s Caesar Cut
George Clooney's short Caesar-style haircut became particularly recognizable during his time playing Dr. Doug Ross on ER. The cut kept the hair relatively short while leaving a small amount of fringe across the forehead. Its association with Clooney became strong enough that the style is often discussed alongside the actor's late-1990s appearance.
10. Michael Jackson’s Jheri Curls
Another hairstyle that became famous was Michael Jackson's Jheri curls. The hairstyle gave his hair a glossy, tightly curled appearance that stood out in music videos, performances, and photographs. Jackson's version became particularly recognizable during one of the most commercially successful periods of his career.
11. Yul Brynner’s Shaved Head
Yul Brynner proved that you don't have to have hair to have a memorable hairstyle. He decided to shave his entire head and became very famous for this. When he appeared in movies such as The King and I and The Magnificent Seven, people knew it was Yul Brynner by his lack of hair.
Unknown, none visible on Wikimedia
12. Mr. T’s Mohawk
Mr. T's mohawk became one of the most immediately recognizable hairstyles on television during the 1980s. He wore the sides of his head shaved while keeping a strip of hair running along the center, giving him a very distinctive silhouette. The hairstyle worked perfectly with his larger-than-life public image and remained closely connected to his identity long after The A-Team ended.
13. Rod Stewart’s Feathered Hair
Rod Stewart is another artist who became known for their hairstyle. His blonde hair was often worn with considerable volume and texture, particularly during the 1970s. The style fit naturally into the era's rock aesthetic and became one of the easiest features to recognize in photographs of Stewart.
14. Johnny Rotten’s Punk Hair
When Johnny Rotten played with his band, he sported very messy hair. This hairstyle became known when he and his band rose to fame. The haircut helped reinforce the confrontational style that surrounded the band during the late 1970s.
Ed Vill from Caracas, Venezuela on Wikimedia
15. Mick Jagger’s Long, Shaggy Cut
Mick Jagger always changes his hairstyle, but one style he's known for is long, shaggy hair. This hairstyle became popular when the Rolling Stones became known. That loose approach became closely associated with the band's rock-and-roll image and the fashion of the period.
16. Axl Rose’s Long Hair And Bandana
Axl Rose became known for wearing long, reddish-blond hair, frequently paired with a bandana during his band's peak years. The combination became one of the most recognizable looks associated with late-1980s and early-1990s hard rock. His hairstyle also stood out because it contrasted with the shorter cuts worn by many other male rock stars at the time.
Original uploader was אליבאבא at he.wikipedia on Wikimedia
17. Kurt Cobain’s Messy Blonde Hair
Kurt Cobain's unpolished blonde hair became an important part of his appearance during Nirvana's rise in the early 1990s. It was often worn long, loose, and somewhat messy rather than carefully styled. That casual presentation fit the band's aesthetic and helped establish a look that became strongly associated with the grunge era.
P.B. Rage from USA on Wikimedia
18. Justin Timberlake’s Curly Hair
Justin Timberlake sported tight curls when he was in NSYNC. This hairstyle is one of the many hairstyles that people remember. The look became so closely connected with his early career that it still gets mentioned whenever his younger appearance comes up.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia
19. David Beckham’s Constantly Changing Cuts
If you ask me, David Beckham has had too many hairstyles to list them all. From short hair to long hair, he's done it all. His willingness to change his hair frequently also helped make him one of the most recognizable male style figures of the modern era.
The Democratic Alliance on Wikimedia
20. Harry Styles’ Long, Swept-Back Hair
Harry Styles became closely associated with longer, loose hair during the early years of his solo career and his time with One Direction. His hair was often worn with plenty of natural movement rather than being tightly controlled, giving his appearance a distinctly relaxed quality. The style became an important part of his image as he moved from boy-band member to solo performer and fashion figure.
