The 1970s brought us the afro, the shag, and the feathered cut. In other words, the decade was responsible for some of the most iconic styles that are still popular today.
But what exactly is feathered hair, and how can you style it today so it’s very much in fashion? In this article, our styling experts explain what feathered hair is and introduce you to nine modern feathered hairstyles that are inspired by cuts that emerged in the 1970s and 80s.
What is feathered hair?
Feathered hair emerged in the 1970s as a layered hairstyle for people with straight hair (And you may want to know how to make straight hair curly once you want to get curls or waves). Both men and women of the decade feathered their hair, and celebrities like John Travolta, Farrah Fawcett, and Princess Diana were all proponents of this iconic style.
The reason this style got its name is because the resultant look resembles the feathers of a bird, and the haircut adds depth and volume. Today, most people style feathered hair with a side or center parting, with brushed-back hair at the sides.
Though this style is now fifty years old, feathered hair is back in fashion in 2024 and is a great way to texturize your hair for added bounce. Below, we run through some hair feathering ideas you can ask your stylist to go for this year.
9 modern feathered hairstyles inspired by the 1980s
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are nine contemporary takes on 80s feathered hair that you can ask your stylist for in 2024:
1. Medium-length feathered hair with layers
Shoulder-length feathered hair is a great option for women with medium-length hair, and it’s a chic option that you can wear for all occasions. The woven layers in this style provide the feathering effect, while we recommend curling the ends to add a unique twist to this traditionally straight hairstyle.
2. Classic 70s feathered hair
One of the easiest ways to feather your hair is to keep it simple with the classic look that first emerged in the 1970s. A characteristic of this style is the center parting with feathered hair at the sides. Think of lots of bounce and volume, so ask your stylist to really bring those textured layers to life with the right products.
3. Shaggy feathered cut for long hair
The shag cut is another iconic hairdo that is back in vogue in 2024, and it’s the ideal way to achieve a feathered look if you have long hair. This cut looks best messy and slightly unruly, while the addition of feathered layers adds a significant edge. Though the shag can go beyond the shoulder line, you can also wear it slightly shorter if you want to bring things in a little. For the long hair routine, you can use Laifen Swift Special diffuser hair dryer to save your valuable time while getting healthy hair.
4. Short feathered hair
Perhaps the best way to wear short feathered hair is to go for a classic bob with a feathered fringe. This helps to make your hair look fuller, given that some bobs can look a little thin. You can go for layered bangs at the front to add further depth to this short cut.
5. Stacked bob with feathers
Another option for people with short hair is the stacked bob with feathers. This is a softer bob than some, as the feathers lighten what can often be perceived as a sharp, angular cut. Adding feathers to a stacked bob is a great way to add natural bounce and volume to your short hair.
6. Feathered lob with bangs
Very similar to the classic 70s feathered look, this lob with bangs takes you back to decades past. Ask your stylist for a layered cut with feathered bangs that runs down to shoulder-length and allow the ends to curl out for Hollywood red carpet vibes.
7. Long layered feathered pixie
The pixie is a short hairstyle that works well with feathered layers. We recommend softly chopped feathered layers, while you can add some delicate highlights to the cut to further accentuate its depth. Pixie cuts are brilliant for drawing attention to the best features of your face and are one of the trendiest short styles in 2024.
8. Side-swept feathery bangs
A superb option for long hair with feathers is this side-swept style with feathery bangs. It’s a much more subtle look than classic feathery styles, as the side bangs softly frame your face while adding much-needed dimension. Bangs are very much in vogue right now, and this look won’t go out of fashion any time soon.
9. Classic feathered hair for men
When the legendary John Travolta first appeared on our screens in Welcome Back Kotter, he sported a feathery hairdo that cemented his place as an American heartthrob. For any guys today looking for a classic feathery cut from the 1970s, look back to Travolta’s earliest hairstyles for the perfect inspiration!
Lastly
Since it emerged as a daring way to wear straight hair in the 1970s, feathered hair has endured the test of time and remained popular to this day, more than fifty years on.
As with all hairstyles, the feathered cut has undergone many iterations and has merged with numerous contemporary styles to offer men and women with long hair lots of styling options.
Whether you opt for a short pixie cut with feathered hair or something longer, you can use our recommendations above to guide your stylist in creating this iconic haircut today.
