Hair and Now

They say fashion trends repeat themselves every 20 years or so. If we do the math and subtract 20 from 2004, we get 1984. Yes, the 1980s. Let’s reflect back on the 1980s and see how many of these trends we can remember. The days of tight-rolled jeans, leg warmers, mismatched socks, and parachute pants come to mind, all while dancing around the house with Tiffany playing in the cassette player. It was the era of punk rock, MTV, and crazy hair. We look back and laugh at the fashion and music of the 1980s, but according to the math, we may have to embrace them in 2004.

As much as we hate to admit to our fashion catastrophes, hairstyles played a big part and were a huge influence on the 1980s. Where am I going with this, you ask? Some of those styles are working their way back into our chairs again. As a product of the 1980s myself, and by keeping up to speed on the trends of the hair industry, I’ve set out to see if the 20-year repeat is true and have found, in fact, that it is.

A few weeks ago, I attended a hair show and discovered 1980s hair is becoming more mainstream but in revised, more modernized versions. We’re not talking mall bangs and side ponytails here, but sexy and classic looks with a 1980s flair. I brought back three examples from the show to share with you, so listen and see if you’re ready for them.

When you open up any magazine, what are the celebrities sporting? Bangs. After the months of torture and in-between phases you’ve struggled through to grow your bangs out, they’re back. Spring fashion is now calling for bangs. Not the full, straight-across bang, but a very fine, wispy, angled bang. I call them "bangs without commitment." Long enough to still pull back, but sultry and sexy over the eye. They’re versatile and stylish, yet not curled and teased as we all remember.

Another 1980s comeback: Put down the flat iron and take out the perm rods. Now before you gasp and turn to the next page in horror, look at the possibilities. Everyone wants to add volume to their hair, and what better way to achieve that than a body wave? Modified from the 1980s curly perm, the body wave brings curl to the hair, adding volume and dimension. It’s an easy, low-maintenance look to which you can add some gel, scrunch, and go. Sounds easy, right?

And we can’t forget us guys. Remember that the 1980s was the era of punk rock. Guys were sporting the Mohawk and coloring their hair. Well, we’ve brought it back. Of course, revised from the straight up in the air, pointed, shaved hair on the sides Mohawk, we introduce the "faux hawk." A simple way of cutting and styling the hair to give it that Mohawk look, yet it can be toned down for a day at the office.

As you can see, the trends are coming back; you’ll start seeing them everywhere in modernized versions. So dust off those cassettes, roll up your jeans, and let’s bring them back. TPW