Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    The Trendiest Hairstyle the Year You Were Born

    Some we love, and some we wish we could forget...

    Sam Escobar's avatar
    By Sam Escobar
    Published 23 April 2016 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Farrah Fawcett
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    They've changed so much over time (there was the iconic '20s bob—and who could forget the Farrah waves of the 1970s?). But more importantly, what was the most memorable look during your birth year?

    1925: Brushed Out Waves
    (Image credit: Rights Unknown)

    1925: Brushed Out Waves

    As soft and ethereal as the early films this style was worn for, brushed out waves gave actresses like Mary Pickford a feminine silhouette.

    1926: Browband
    (Image credit: Rights Unknown)

    1926: Browband

    A thin, sometimes jeweled piece of fabric worn around the forehead, this style was dubbed the "headache band" — not exactly an appealing accessory nickname, but it looks so chic!

    1927: Blunt Bangs
    (Image credit: RIghts Unknown)

    1927: Blunt Bangs

    The total opposite of the era's fluffier looks, blunt bangs framed the face (and thin '20s brows) in the most literal way possible.

    1928: Bright Red Hair
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1928: Bright Red Hair

    Sure, films were in black and white, but when the public heard that movie star Clara Bow dyed her hair red, henna sales went through the roof.

    1929: Eton Crop
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1929: Eton Crop

    One of the most famous wearers of the Eton crop, Josephine Baker rocked her stunning slicked-down style with a "kiss curl," a thin swirl of hair on her forehead intended to add a touch of femininity.

    1930: Finger Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1930: Finger Waves

    A style that is still as stunning nowadays as it was then, finger waves was a heavily-styled look (shown here on actress Alice Day) that gave softness to sharp, crisp bob haircuts.

    1931: Shingle Cut
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1931: Shingle Cut

    Here, Louise Brooks shows off her thin eyebrows, bee-stung lips, and chic angular bob cut with swooping ends that was so popular during the '20s and '30s.

    1932: Waves Pulled Low
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1932: Waves Pulled Low

    Unlike the looser styles of the decade, many women, including Greta Garbo, preferred to pull their hair tight and low into a dramatic 'do.

    1933: Deep Side Part
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1933: Deep Side Part

    A trend that has yet to go out of style, the deep side part was beloved by stars including Carole Lombard as well as millions of women alike. Check out our simple tutorial on how to get it yourself.

    1934: Soft Sculpted Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1934: Soft Sculpted Waves

    Delicately shaped waves a la Marlene Dietrich took hold of trend lovers during the mid-1930s.

    1935: Marcel Wave
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1935: Marcel Wave

    Similar to finger waves, the Marcel wave was a highly styled wave worn by the likes of Jean Harlow, among many other actresses. Hairdresser Marcel Grateau is often credited for inventing the technique, which involved using hot curling tongs to give hair deep, defined waves.

    1936: Pin Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1936: Pin Curls

    Pin curls may have taken wearers a long time to properly accomplish (each piece is literally twirled into a circle to set the curl), but wow, were they worth it.

    1937: Rolled and Tucked
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1937: Rolled and Tucked

    Dorothy Lamour, among other actresses, touted a less curly style that had hair rolled into a neat silhouette.

    1938: Updo with Flowers
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1938: Updo with Flowers

    Though she was known primarily for her iconic voice, Billie Holiday's stardom also popularized elegantly accenting hairstyles with flowers — specifically white gardenias.

    1939: Curled Pigtails
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1939: Curled Pigtails

    Starring in her most famous role as Dorothy in 1938's wildly popular Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland helped popularize the curly pigtail look.

    1940: Half-Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1940: Half-Updo

    Vivien Leigh's famous portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind featured a throwback Southern belle look with rolled-back hair.

    1941: Snoods
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1941: Snoods

    Worn during World War II by women employed in factories, this headpiece, made of cloth or yarn, held women's hair away from their neck.

    1942: Glam Pin Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1942: Glam Pin Curls

    Not content to keep things basic, stars like Betty Grable brought pin curls and finger waves to the next level with bold blonde hair, red lipstick, and fun fashion.

    1943: Peekaboo Bangs
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1943: Peekaboo Bangs

    With the femme fatale at the forefront of both fashion and cinema, stars like Veronica Lake ushered in sexy hairstyles that hid just one eye for an air of mystery.

    1944: Soft Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1944: Soft Waves

    Delicate curls and waves brought softness to thick bangs and long bobs like Barbara Stanwyck's.

    1945: Victory Rolls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1945: Victory Rolls

    After the war, many women signaled their celebratory feelings with a voluminous style dubbed "victory curls" — a 'do that would become one of the era's most famous.

    1946: Loose Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1946: Loose Curls

    A softer curled style stayed popular throughout the era, with stars like Rita Hayworth maintaining a deep side part and full waves.

    1947: Crown Braid
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1947: Crown Braid

    During the '40s, braided hairstyles rose to prominence, with stars like Billie Holiday donning crown braids and braided buns, occasionally weaving in pieces of fabric or hair in contrasting colors.

    1948: Elegant Updos
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1948: Elegant Updos

    As the result of an emphasis on mimicking actresses like Joan Fontaine and Lana Turner, stylish women opted for glamorous hairstyles like thick, polished chignons, sometimes accessorizing them with clips or pins.

    1949: Brushed Out Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1949: Brushed Out Waves

    Linda Darnell and other famous starlets popularized soft waves without harsh edges or heavy products.

    1950: Chignon
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1950: Chignon

    The ever-stylish Grace Kelly donned elegant hairdos that influenced American women in the early '50s, prior to her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco and subsequent retirement from acting.

    1951: Pinup Bangs
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1951: Pinup Bangs

    With her sex appeal, outrageous personality, and iconic style, Bettie Page and her famous bangs influenced those who desired an edgier take on traditional looks.

    1952: Italian Cut
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1952: Italian Cut

    Inspired by Italian actresses, starlets like Dorothy Dandridge rocked this chic, short cut (similar to a poodle pixie, a curly short cut) featuring sculpted locks and a rounded silhouette.

    1953: Short Crop
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1953: Short Crop

    Making the short cut more accessible to the masses was Audrey Hepburn, aka America's eternal sweetheart. After chopping her hair in 1953's Roman Holiday, women fell in love with the modern, easygoing style.

    1954: Blonde Bombshell Hair
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1954: Blonde Bombshell Hair

    The age of the blonde bombshell was ushered in by no other than Marilyn Monroe, the most famous of them all.

    1955: Barrel Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1955: Barrel Curls

    Full, rounded curls brought a bouncy vibe to blonde bombshell locks like Jayne Mansfield's.

    1956: Ponytails
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1956: Ponytails

    At long last: The super simple style we all know and love, pushed into popularity by none other than French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot.

    1957: Soft Full Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1957: Soft Full Curls

    Soft, elegant styles marked the mid-'50s — though all that would soon change.

    1958: French Pleat
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1958: French Pleat

    A chic vertical roll of hair that keeps your locks out of your face, the French pleat is as perfect for career women nowadays as it was then.

    1959: Flipped Out
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1959: Flipped Out

    Bringing a totally new silhouette to the era's style, stars like Sophia Loren popped a cute curl right at the end of the hair.

    1960: Stacked Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1960: Stacked Updo

    Unlike the neat, polished updos of years prior, women opted for messier, imperfect styles to achieve a sexy look.

    1961: Pageboy
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1961: Pageboy

    A little softer and more flattering than the unfortunate '90s bowl cut, actress Hayley Mills and other stars donned this round chop with smoothed-under tips.

    1962: Bouffant
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1962: Bouffant

    As one of the most influential figures in fashion, First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis popularized this voluminous style.

    1963: The Beehive
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1963: The Beehive

    Women saw the likes of the Ronettes and Brigitte Bardot piling hair atop their heads to reach as much height as possible.

    1964: The Bob
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1964: The Bob

    Ah, the bob. After initially popping up in the '20s, Vidal Sassoon reinvented it during the mid-'60s, making it chic again among stylish women.

    1965: Five Point Cut
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1965: Five Point Cut

    Taking the same bob a step further, Sassoon popularized the modern, geometric look on women including Mary Quant.

    1966: Long and Straight
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1966: Long and Straight

    As hippies influenced mainstream style, women flocked to copy the ever-trendsetting Cher by wearing their hair long, straight, and silky.

    1967: Short and Natural
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1967: Short and Natural

    While many black women wore wigs over their hair, Cicely Tyson famously went natural during her role on East Side/West Side, prompting women everywhere to cut their hair short in imitation of the actress' gorgeous look.

    1968: Mop Top
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1968: Mop Top

    Hey — the Beatles loved mop top styles, so why wouldn't women love 'em, too? Here, Julie Driscoll rocks a super-straight, shaped cut.

    1969: Modern Bouffant
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1969: Modern Bouffant

    Starring in Julia, a role that made her the first black actress to have her own TV show, Diahann Carroll helped propel this chic, voluminous style to popularity.

    1970: Long and Center-Parted
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1970: Long and Center-Parted

    After 1970's Love Story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal became the hit of the year, women started rocking center-parted straight styles.

    1971: The Shag
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1971: The Shag

    After hairstylist Paul McGregor cut Jane Fonda's hair into this funky short-and-long style for the 1971 film Klute, women began asking their own hairdressers for this unisex look.

    1972: Afro
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1972: Afro

    As more black women began wearing their hair in natural styles (as opposed to relaxed or covered with a wig), Pam Grier and her voluminous curls became one of the decade's most iconic looks.

    1973: Cornrows
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1973: Cornrows

    Actress Cicely Tyson once again inspired a beauty trend by wearing her hair in cornrows for her role in Sounder, leading the braided style into popularity.

    1974: Loose Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1974: Loose Waves

    As one of the decade's most recognized models, Lauren Hutton's glamorous waves inspired many women to try flowing, loose locks.

    1975: Voluminous Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1975: Voluminous Curls

    While some women preferred defined waves, many women desired a curlier, more voluminous style like that of supermodel Beverly Johnson.

    1976: Wedge Haircut
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1976: Wedge Haircut

    Designed by Trevor Sorbie — a protégé of Vidal Sassoon himself! — the wedge style featured a triangular silhouette that cut off right around the ears. Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill helped popularize the style after winning the gold medal in 1976.

    1977: Bleach Blonde
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1977: Bleach Blonde

    Bringing punky hairstyles into the mainstream, Blondie singer Debbie Harry rocked a shaggy, bleached look.

    1978: Farrah Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1978: Farrah Waves

    Farrah Fawcett and her unforgettable hair on Charlie's Angels inspired countless women to highlight their hair and blow it out into full, sweeping waves.

    1979: Spiky Punk Hair
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1979: Spiky Punk Hair

    Musician Siouxsie Sioux and her goth-meets-punk style brought wispy, all-over-the-place hair into popularity.

    1980: Edgy Shag
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1980: Edgy Shag

    Jane Fonda may have put shag on the map, but Joan Jett's long, razored style made it a must-have for trendsetters and rock lovers everywhere.

    1981: Topknot
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1981: Topknot

    Now a lazy day staple for women everywhere, actresses and models like Iman helped bring this style to the beauty sphere.

    1982: Asymmetrical Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1982: Asymmetrical Updo

    Admit it: If you grew up in the '80s, you wore this gloriously unbalanced hairstyle at least once.

    1983: Girl-Next-Door Hair
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1983: Girl-Next-Door Hair

    Brooke Shields and other "All-American girl" types inspired women everywhere to grow their hair long and give it as much volume as possible.

    1984: The Mullet
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1984: The Mullet

    A notably dark time in our country's history, the Age of the Mullet lasted too long and affected too many. If you survived the '80s without getting this tragic cut, we commend you.

    1985: Wrapped Up
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1985: Wrapped Up

    The original Queen of Pop, Madonna's hair helped define the '80s — including this teased 'do wrapped up by a headscarf.

    1986: Crimped
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1986: Crimped

    Another unfortunate trend of the '80s, crimped hair found its place in society and stuck around on and off throughout the 1990s.

    1987: Red Ringlets
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1987: Red Ringlets

    When Molly Ringwald showed up with her glorious mess of red curls, the world fell in love.

    1988: Feathered Bangs
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1988: Feathered Bangs

    Among other stars, Sarah Jessica Parker rocked this incredibly '80s do, inspiring American women to follow suit by teasing their bangs and perming their locks.

    1989: Gelled Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1989: Gelled Curls

    Continuing the trend of heavy product use, Julia Roberts and other celebs gelled their curls for a slick-down style.

    1990: Regal Short Cut
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1990: Regal Short Cut

    Ever the trendsetter, Princess Diana influenced women of the world to go short with her famous crop created by hairstylist Sam McKnight.

    1991: Tumbling Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1991: Tumbling Updo

    Glam supermodels including Cindy Crawford popularized over-the-top updos with face-framing pieces.

    1992: Grunge Hair
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1992: Grunge Hair

    As one of the biggest names in the early '90s grunge music scene, Courtney Love's messy bleached locks inspired tons of teens and twenty-somethings to try a wilder style.

    1993: Box Braids
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1993: Box Braids

    As a result of her style as the starring role in 1993's Poetic Justice, Janet Jackson inspired women to wear their hair in long box braids.

    1994: The Rachel
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1994: The Rachel

    By now, we all know that Jennifer Aniston secretly hated the style that launched a thousand (or a million) haircuts: "The Rachel." Still, it's impossible not to feel nostalgic over the Friends star's famous cut.

    1995: Butterfly Clips
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1995: Butterfly Clips

    Okay, so the '90s featured a few style mistakes, not the least of which was the butterfly clip trend. Yikes!

    1996: Wild Streaks
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1996: Wild Streaks

    Leave it to the Spice Girls — especially daring member Geri Halliwell, a.k.a. Ginger Spice — to lead millions of girls to beg their moms and dads to let them get streaks in their hair of bright red, orange, pink, and other colors.

    1997: Spiky Pixie
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1997: Spiky Pixie

    The '90s saw a chic, edgy style of pixie come into focus after Winona Ryder debuted her cool look in 1997.

    1998: Pigtails
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1998: Pigtails

    Why, oh why, did pigtails on adults come back? Two words, one name: Britney Spears.

    1999: Two Front Strands
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    1999: Two Front Strands

    There may not be an official name for this style, but everyone in the '90s was guilty of it: Two tiny strands, just lingering at the front of the face.

    2000: Face-Framing Highlights
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    2000: Face-Framing Highlights

    Leaving behind the crazier styles of the '90s, the 2000s started to see more wearable colors and cuts like Beyonce's wavy, honey blonde hair.

    Explore More
    Hairstyles
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Sam Escobar
    Sam Escobar
    Social Links Navigation

    Sam's enthusiasm for makeup is only rivaled by their love of all things relating to cats. In their spare time, they enjoy watching scary movies, putting avocado on everything, and seeing how many shades of the rainbow they can dye their hair before 30.

    Read more
    a collage of three women at the venice film festival with glamorous hair and makeup
    Beauty My Favorite Red Carpet of the Year Is In Venice—And the Glam Did Not Disappoint The 2026 Film Festival is seeing some of the best hair and makeup looks of the year.
    By Hannah Baxter
    hair color
    Hair The Top Hair Colors For Fall 2026 Are Lazy In The Best Way Possible Low-maintenance and high-shine? Sign me up.
    By Annie Blay-Tetty
     
     
    collage of the best celebrity looks at the Spring/Summer 2027 season of New York Fashion Week
    Celebrity Style New York Fashion Week Is Back—and So Are the Cool-Girl Celebrity Outfits
    By Meguire Hennes
    the best celebrity outfits at the US Open of all time
    Fashion 17 Times Celebrities Absolutely Aced Their US Open Outfits All chosen by 'Marie Claire' editors.
    By Meguire Hennes
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    Princess Catharina Amalia wearing a red top and smiling
    Royals Europe's Future Queens Are Making Their Own Royal Beauty Rules
    a woman in a fashionable red blazer and curly hair next to humidity hair products
    Hair It May Be 90 Percent Humidity, But With These Products, My Hair Still Looks Good
     
     
    ocean water background with two girls with beach waves on top next to hair styling products for fine hair
    Hair Think Beach Waves Won't Last On Fine Hair? I Found the Fool-Proof Routine
    Princess Kate sitting in a car wearing a white blouse and brown hat
    Royals Princess Kate’s Summer Hair Switch-Up Has Become a Balmoral Tradition
     
     
    Latest in Features
    women sweating and working out next to electrolyte powders
    Wellness Electrolyte Powders Are Everywhere—But Do You Really Need Them?
    a collage of sunglasses manicures on five sets of hands with three bottles of nail polish on colorful printed fabric
    Nails NYFW Nail Trends Are Off to a Shady Start
     
     
    a collage of three women with dramatic makeup wearing manicures in pink, red, and chrome with close ups of manicures with bottles of nail polish
    Nails I’m Swapping My Cat Eye Nails for This Elevated Fall Alternative
    Kraum makeup brushes shown in a collage alongside close-ups of smokey eye makeup and brush details in an artistic design
    Makeup These J-Beauty Makeup Brushes Make Executing My Smokey Eye Beyond Easy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.