Retro Man With vintage hairstyles for men

The happening hairstyles of the yesteryears are making a comeback, proving that old is gold. And, if you want to rock a retro hairstyle, here are some fantastic hairstyles that are easy to manage and are guaranteed to give you a new look.

What Are Vintage Hairstyles For Men

Sported by celebrities and stars of the 40s, 50s and 60s, vintage hairstyles rocked the world. From the comb-overs that were popular in the 1920s to the pompadours in the 1950s and other vintage styles like the quiff, slick back, spikes, Jelly Roll and more, retro hairstyles are sought after even today.

65 Most Popular Retro Hairstyles

Pompadour

Pompadour

Photo @barbersukraine

Hugely popular in the 1950s, this signature style has the hair brushed away from the face and styled above the forehead. Style the pompadour with the best hair pomade for a wet finish for a retro look.

Slick Back Vintage Hairstyle

Slick Back Vintage Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

This heavily greased, slick back style has long hair on the top, slicked back towards the side and back and held in place with hair wax, cream, or gel.

Quiff

Quiff

Photo @erickgomezz1

The King of Rock n’ Roll is a classic style with a natural and relaxed styling with length and volume on top.

Side Part Vintage Hairstyle

Side Part Vintage Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

A trendy old-school look, side part hairstyles were quite common amongst the sophisticated elite. Naturally part your hair, brush one part over and the rest of it down. Add a thick line shaved into the hair for a trendy style with vintage straight razors to highlight the parting.

Comb-Over

Comb-Over

Photo @barbersukraine

The comb-over offers a smart and neat look. You can combine this with a low-, mid-, or high fade on the sides with textured hair on the top for a modern look.

Gangster Style

Gangster Style

Photo @barbersukraine

One of the best 90s hairstyles for men, the gangster style of the yesteryears was clean and classy. With medium to short hair on the top, short sides slicked back and side parting, this style was commonly sported by gangsters and celebs.

Old-School Short 

Old-School Short

Photo @barbersukraine

The old-school short style is perfect for both thick and thin hair. A side partition and hair set with some gel give a truly classy look.

Jelly Roll Vintage Hairstyle

Jelly Roll Vintage Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

A popular 50s hairstyle, the Jelly Roll is a famous Greaser and Rockabilly style that is quite difficult to pull off.

Finger Waves

Finger Waves

Photo @alan_beak

If you consider hairstyles that aren’t professional, finger waves are one of them. Great for men with wavy or curly hair, in this style, the longer hair on top is combed to one side, and the waves or curls are left messy.

Bad Boy

Bad Boy

Photo @barbersukraine

The bad boy styling is characterized by natural, free-flowing locks offering volume and movement. You can accentuate the bad boy looks with a manly stubble or a thick beard.

Old Western Vintage Haircut

Old Western Vintage Haircut

Photo @barbersukraine

The perfect alpha male cowboy style, the old western style has thick brush-back hair, short sides and a thick handlebar mustache.

Shaggy

Shaggy

Photo @vadim_shifrin_barber

Inspired by the hippy styles of the 60s, the shaggy hairstyle has long, shoulder-length hair with textured layers on the top.

Wavy Shoulder Length

Wavy Shoulder Length

Photo @barbersukraine

Retro hairstyles are incomplete without a mention of the wavy shoulder-length hairstyle. A bold mustache only completes the look.

Greaser Vintage Haircut

Greaser Vintage Haircut

Photo @pjabreu

Greaser hairstyles were popular vintage styles and got their name from using a lot of oil or hair gel. The swept-back style included the slick back, a pompadour, jelly roll, ducktail and a combination of all these styles.

High Top Fade

High Top Fade

Photo @barbersukraine

A popular black style during the 80s and 90s, the high top fade has a high fade with height on the crown.

Middle Part

Middle Part

Photo @barberhiroshi

If you’re looking for a vintage hairstyle that makes you stand apart, you can’t go wrong with slicked-back hair with a middle part.

Caesar Vintage Haircut

Caesar Vintage Haircut

Photo @barbershmelev

Named after Emperor Julius Caesar, the uniform, all-around Caesar cut with a fringe, is a versatile, low-maintenance style for all hair types.

Bowl Cut

Bowl Cut

Photo @erickgomezz1

A great style for men with straight hair, the bowl cut is a neat, low-maintenance style. If you have wavy hair, using hair relaxers can help to relax your hair, allowing you to sport the bowl cut.

Wet Set Vintage Hairstyle

Wet Set Vintage Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

Popularized by the leads in Hollywood horror movies, the wet set is an iconic vintage style where the hair is side-parted and has a flowing strand over the forehead.

Short-Styled Cowlick

Short-Styled Cowlick

Photo @barbersukraine

This popular 40s retro hairstyle has a combover styled into a cowlick with the hair hanging freely onto one side and a strand of hair falling on the other.

Bangs Pompadour

Photo @rogerioaraujobarber

Rockabilly

Photo @rogerioaraujobarber

Jelly Roll Retro Hairstyle

Photo @vadim_shifrin_barber

Vintage Comb Over Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

Wavy Blow Up

Photo @alan_beak

Gangster Pomp

Photo @barbersukraine

Retro Combed Crown

Photo @barbersukraine

Vintage Sleek Top

Photo @barbersukraine

Classic Slick Back

Photo @barbersukraine

Retro Pompadour

Photo @barbersukraine

Vintage Sleek Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

Vintage Pompadour Style

Photo @barbersukraine

Combing In Different Direction

Photo @barbersukraine

Sleek And Comb

Photo @barbersukraine

Retro Faux Hawk

Photo @barbersukraine

Vintage Side Part Style

Photo @barbersukraine

Slick With Strand Of Bangs

Photo @barbersukraine

Retro Blow Dried Top

Photo @barbersukraine

Whirl Bangs

Photo @barbersukraine

Brushed Side Part

Photo @barbersukraine

Hard Fade And Sleek

Photo @barbersukraine

Wet Side Comb Over

Photo @barbersukraine

Classy Rockabilly

Photo @barbersukraine

Just Vintage Hairstyle

Photo @barbersukraine

Pomp Mohawk

Photo @barbersukraine

Layered Side Part

Photo @barbersukraine

Disconnected Side Part

Photo @mehdi_farahh

Polished Pompadour

Photo @carpesbarber

Ducktail Hairstyle With Long Bangs

Photo @vitaly.melchenko

High Ducktail Pomp

Photo @barberhiroshi

Curly Undercut

Photo @barberhiroshi

Sleek Retro Hairstyle

Photo @ataev_edu

Retro Blow Dried Back

Photo @osman.karaev

Casual Side Part

Photo @hair__sam

Retro Haircut With Tails

Photo @x.r.barber

Rockabilly With Curl

Photo @jcbarber17

Retro Winged Bangs

Photo @jcbarber17

Vintage Whirl Bangs Haircut

Photo @erickgomezz1

Layered Ducktail Haircut

Photo @moeecutz

Slick Mullet With Tails

Photo @dynasty_barbers

Retro Quiff

Photo @vbodnarr

Classic Pompadour

Photo @rogerioaraujobarber

Greasy Retro Hairstyle

Photo @rogerioaraujobarber

Retro Combed Side Part

Photo @alan_beak

Permed Ducktail

Photo @alan_beak

How to Do and Maintain Retro Hairstyle 

Retro hairstyles are making a comeback and are becoming quite popular. And, if you want to sport a retro style, here is a step-by-step guide to how you can get a cool vintage hairstyle you like.

Step 1 – Find a good barber

First, look for a skilled barber who understands retro haircuts.

Attractive Man Holding Scissors

Step 2 – Choose an appropriate style

Choose a style that suits your face shape, hair texture, length, and personal preference. Ask your barber to give you a fade on the back and side or an undercut with a textured finish on the top for a retro style.

Step 3 – Style and maintain

Use a suitable high-shine hair product like wax, gel, or pomade to maintain your retro hairstyle.

FAQ About Vintage Hairstyles

How to do a 50’s hairstyle for men?

You can choose a 50s hairstyle from the plethora of options available, from the pompadour to the messy quiff, classic ducktail, or side slick part. Select a style as per your preference. Use the best products to keep your hairstyle attractive and manageable.

Why is it called a quiff?

The quiff is a classic hairstyle that can be traced way back to the 50s. Sported by Elvis Presley and James Dean, a quiff features long hair on the top in the front with trimmed sides and back.

What hairstyle is best suited for a receding hairline?

If you have a receding hairline, then you can opt for a short pompadour, or you can opt for a slicked-back style or a Caesar cut, which can help to give your thinning hair volume and texture.

Usinghair supplements can help to stop hair thinning and a receding hairline. And, if all else fails, you can use awet shaving kit and opt for a clean-shaven look.

Conclusion

Although the years have gone by, retro hairstyles are popular even today. So, if you’re looking for a cool vintage hairstyle, we hope that the ideas in our article inspire you to try out some retro styles that you would like to rock.

About the author: Jay - Barber

Jay is one of the members of the Beardoholic writers team and NFL, celebrity barber. As a master barber with years of experience, Jay can make your beard look any way you envision. Jay’s specialty is black men’s hair and beard styles, but he also has deep knowledge on how to create a perfect neck and cheek line, short or long beard and virtually any beard and hair shape and style.

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