Rockabilly hairstyles

Rockabilly hairstyles

Today’s generation may not be as familiar with the term “Rockabilly” as was the society in the late 1930’s, 1940’s and early 1950’s. Thanks to styles reemerging, bold individuals who weren’t even around in that period, are bringing it back to the streets. Rock’n’Roll wasn’t the only good thing to come out of this earlier epoch. Hairstyles were huge, literally and figuratively and made a signature statement to anyone cool enough to wear them. It’s unlikely anyone will rock a rockabilly hairstyle without actually loving the era it derived from. While it’s one thing to love the music, the cars and lifestyle, it’s another to dress the part and become an element of that period. Rockabilly in many ways brings people back to the days of rock and roll and is somewhat of a sub-culture movement where people who favor the styles and music of that era can relate to one another by simply dressing of the time and sporting the hairstyles.
If you’re still wondering what this funktified look involves, picture a man with his hair cut short on the sides and a slightly longer back. Now imagine a sufficient length on top and in front to create the upswept “pompadour”. Look at John Travolta in Greece sporting his ‘greecer’ hairstyle. Cool, confident and under control, that’s the perfect personality trait for a hairstyle like this. Another possibility is the flattop. This look cut the top of the man’s hair to approximately one inch and it was styled with pomade or wax to give spiking ends.

Women’s rockabilly styles are more wide-ranging, but generally follow two looks: the medium length layered style where the hair is longer at the top of the head, approximately 5-6 inches and shorter at the sides -3-4 inches- mid-length at the crown-4-5 inches-with the longest section usually at the nape of the neck. The key to giving this style authenticity, is always keeping it curly. Curls were a big part of this era and were often over exaggerated using big curlers.
Bettie Page, the 1940s and 1950s pin-up model was a huge trend setter in the rockabilly era. It was a longer style created with blunt cut bangs across the forehead. Again, this pin-up girl didn’t flaunt pin straight hair; instead, she wore her hairstyle with soft waves for extra body leaving her fringe smooth and straight. From these basic hairstyles, many other rockabilly hairstyles were influenced and today, many variations can be seen in different lengths.