Retro Revival Cuts

Retro Revival cuts are dominating men’s hair trends in 2025, with iconic styles from multiple decades making a stylish comeback. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite throwback looks that are most on trend at the moment - along with tips on how to style or modernise them so they feel fresh, flattering, and bang on-trend for today. 

Pompadour (‘50s) 

The pompadour, a signature style of the 1950s made famous by icons like Elvis Presley and James Dean, is a slicked-back, high-volume look that works best for those with medium to longer hair. To create it, use a hairdryer and round brush to build maximum lift and form the smooth, swept-back shape. Finish with a pomade or wax for strong hold, and lock it in with a light mist of hairspray for extra shine and lasting style. Today, the style can be modernised with different styling and by pairing the style with disconnected or shorter sides and back. Instead of using a high shine hair product, you can also experiment with a matte finish product to give this style a more effortless, relaxed finish. 

Curtain Bangs (‘90s) 

Curtain bangs were a huge hit in the ‘90s for men and they are back trending again. Particularly amongst men with longer hair lengths and wavy hair textures. A round brush whilst blow-drying is a great way to get the iconic S-shape curtain bangs and is still a great way to style this trend today. However, effortless styles are more on trend than ever, so if you opt for this style, it’s a great idea to use a product like a sea salt spray to enhance your natural texture slightly and provide a more lived-in messy look. 

Mod Haircuts (‘60s) 

The mod haircut features longer hair on the top, long side burns and texture throughout the cut – on the top, sides and back. It also often features a heavy fringe. This cut works best when styled more relaxed and messy, and a texturising spray such as a salt spray is great for adding extra edge and grit to this style. This style is being modernised today by changing up the long, heavy fringe, for a more textured, shorter fringe style, giving the look softness. 

The Shag (‘70s) 

The shag was seen amongst many rock musicians in the ‘70s including David Bowie and Road Stewart and is a heavily layered and textured look which traditionally sits at the shoulders but features various lengths throughout the cut. This is another cut that works best when styled with texturising products like salt sprays or mousse to enhance the hair’s natural texture. To modernise this cut today, I like to add in some extra shorter layers to give this style more of a contemporary feel. Experimenting with a fringe is also a great option to update this cut – a long, side swept fringe looks great paired with a shag or a shorter, more choppy fringe. Alternatively, you can add some face framing layers into the cut which will blend in seamlessly with the cut and draw attention into the face. 

The Disco Bowl Cut (‘70s-80s) 

The bowl cut was a huge trend in the 1970s-80s and one we didn’t think would make a comeback! Characterised by a straight, blunt fringe and the rest of the cut being cut evenly around the head, the bowl cut is a uniform cut that can be styled either sleek and straight or textured and wavy. However, is generally styled more sleek and smooth. This cut is being updated for 2025 by incorporating texture or by the cut being graduated in length,  starting short and going longer at the back. It’s also been highly requested in the salon by men pairing it with an undercut for those looking for a more standout look. I love to pair the bowl cut with an undercut or short sides and add texture into the top for a more stylish finish.