1980'S Shag Hairstyles

1980s Shag cuts were short on top and longer at the back.

The shag hairstyle originated in the 1970s, but had a profound effect on 1980s hairstyling and cutting, evolving into a very different '80s look of its own. A unisex style, men most commonly wore the original 1980s Shag, with a longer version becoming a popular woman's cut by the end of the decade.

Cut

Shag hairstyles are now commonly regarded as anything short and roughly layered, often styled with a messy separated look. This type of style is now popular on women and was championed by celebrities like Meg Ryan. The original 1980s shag, however, is specifically one type of hairstyle, being cut short everywhere apart from down the back of the neck. This was only the case for a brief period in hair-cutting history, and by the end of the decade, the cut was already expanding to include the spiky, long, layered styles we now associate with '80s rock stars and actresses.

Afro Hair

With iconic '60s and '70s styles like the Afro losing popularity in the '80s, the shag was a good alternative for anyone wanting volume but not interested in the expense and upkeep of the Jheri curl. To do this style, comb your hair back with some styling cream then puff the style out along the neck. It should look very similar to a mullet.

Influences

The '70s shag started the idea of having shorter layers on the crown with a longer neck-piece, but this was generally done on overall longer hair. By the '80s, the shag had been refined into a much shorter hairstyle with the same principles. However, unlike other versions, the '80s Shag was an overall short hairstyle. Layers were used to taper the style and shape it close, rather than to give puffy '70s volume. Other styles that developed from this include the extremely similar mullet and the rat's tail, both popular until the early '90s. Rat's-tail cuts were short all over, leaving a very thin rat's tail of hair hanging down the back of the neck.

1980s Styling

If you want to wear your hair in a 1980s shag for a costume or event, you can buy 1980s shag wigs online or from your local party shop. Artificially colored wigs are popular, reflecting the relaxed late '80s idea of the shag style. You can coax any medium length hair into resembling an original '80s shag by using a dab of strong-hold gel. Comb your hair back so that it looks short on top and at the sides. Then fluff out the back section of hair. Fix everything with hairspray so it stays set and wear as part of an '80s costume.

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