7 Old-School Hairstyles That Are Making A Comeback, For Better Or Worse

History is full of legendary hair moments and trends that have been made iconic enough to be brought back decades later in fashionably modern ways. These 7 old-school hairstyles are making a comeback, and we’re excited—about most of them.

7 Old-School Hairstyles That Are Making A Comeback, For Better Or Worse — GETTY IMAGES/JAMES DEVANEY/CONTRIBUTOR

If you can learn anything from being around a few decades, it’s that what goes around most certainly comes back around. No matter if we’re talking about the cat-eye makeup of the 1950s, flared pants of the 1970s, or over-sized blazers and brick-brown lipstick of the 1990s, these trends always find a way to reinvent themselves to become the “newest” thing. That cycle goes for hair, as well.

Including famous bangs, vintage curls, shaggy layers, and a certain feathered ‘do, history is full of legendary hair moments that have been made iconic enough to be brought back decades later in fashionably modern ways. These 7 old-school hairstyles are making a comeback, and we’re excited—about most of them.

1. Then: Curtain Bangs

PRIMARY Bardot Curtain Bangs — GETTY IMAGES/RALPH CRANE/CONTRIBUTOR

Brigitte Bardot practically invented this style of fringe in the 1960s, which consists of thickly cut bangs that cascade down the sides of the face so flatteringly.

2. Now: Curtain Bangs

The modern take is a little more approachable and low-maintenance. You can part them decidedly in the center to appear more like face-framing layers, or you can spread them across the forehead to veer more full-coverage.

3. Then: Shag Haircut

Jane Fonda — SILVER SCREEN COLLECTION/GETTY IMAGES

We cannot forget the iconic helmet-esque shag that became famous in the movie Klute. Later, other stars like Stevie Nicks, David Cassidy, and Mick Jagger mimicked the look in a more choppy, shaggy way with bangs, layers, and tons of texture—instead of the sleekness of the original look.

4. Now: Shag Haircut

Nowadays, curls make the perfect avenue for a shag cut that makes the most of texture and layers.

5. Then: Banana Clips

Banana Clip Hair — GETTY IMAGES/FAIRFAX MEDIA ARCHIVES/CONTRIBUTOR

The banana clip was a hair accessory that ruled the 1980s, similarly to scrunchies and claw clips. The U-shaped accessory with two plastic sides comes together in the middle with stretchy teeth that hold the hair in place.

6. Now: Banana Clips

Banana Clip Hairstyle — COURTESY @CHRISTINESYMONDSHAIR

For a perky ponytail or half-up style, a nostalgic banana clip will always do the trick, and you can ensure it stays strategically hidden.

7. Then: Flipped Hair

Made popular in the 1960s with the help of prominent figures like Jackie Kennedy and Mary Tyler Moore, the flip hairstyle was one that defined the decade. Women would spend a significant amount of time and effort to create the perfect flip and make sure it lasted all day.

8. Now: Flipped Hair

TOUT Getty Flipped Ponytail — GETTY IMAGES/JAMES DEVANEY/CONTRIBUTOR

Flip ponytails were also a style of the time, which can be achieved for an elegant event look with the use of old-school hot rollers or heat tools.

9. Then: Feathered Hair

Farrah Fawcett Feathered Hair — GETTY IMAGES/ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES/CONTRIBUTOR

You can’t think about the 1970s without conjuring up a distinct memory of a certain iconic hair moment: Farrah Fawcett’s voluminous feathered hair.

10. Now: Feathered Hair

Back then, it might have been fluffy roots and dramatically swept bangs, but now it could mean a breezy blowout that flicks up, back, and away from the face.

11. Then: Bumpits

Priscilla Presley Hair — GETTY IMAGES/BETTMANN / CONTRIBUTOR

From the sky-high bouffants of the 1960s to the pinned bang poufs of the 2000s, big hair has always been a trend that comes back around. While Bumpits didn’t exist during Priscilla Presley’s bouffant heyday, they certainly would have come in handy.

12. Now: Bumpits

Anna Hatheway Hair — GETTY IMAGES/DANIELE VENTURELLI / CONTRIBUTOR

We all remember the long-retired commercials for the Bumpit, which promised to give your hair a major boost with the help of a half-moon-shaped piece of self-gripping plastic. Pull out your old Bumpit, because volumized hairstyles are back.

13. Then: French Bob

Silent film actress Louise Brooks was the iconic symbol of the 20s flapper style—and the super-short sleek bob with bangs that were popular during the era, known as the French bob.

14. Now: French Bob

The French bob of today is similar to a one-length short bob, but sans any harsh bluntness. It’s made to hit just at the jawline or above to flatter the face (especially the cheekbones), paired with chic blunt bangs.