16 Retro Hairstyle Ideas, Inspired by the Places We Wore Them
My mom has a photo from 1987 that our whole family loves. She’s standing outside a roller rink in neon leggings, a giant side ponytail held up with a scrunchie, and so much crimped volume that her hair is wider than her shoulders. Whenever we look at it, she says the same thing: “That was the best night of my life.”
That’s what I love about retro hairstyles. They’re not just about a decade. They’re about places and memories: the drive-in movie, the surf beach, the disco floor, the roller rink, the shopping mall on a Saturday afternoon.
So I’ve organized these 16 retro hairstyle ideas by the scene where you’d have seen them. For each one, you’ll find the soundtrack that matches its mood, a modern way to wear it, and stories from my family’s photo albums and my own retro-themed adventures.
Retro vs. Vintage: What’s the Difference?
People often use these words interchangeably, but there’s a subtle difference:
- Vintage usually refers to genuine styles from an older era, often recreated using original techniques.
- Retro usually means modern looks inspired by the past, often with a playful, updated twist.
This post is all about retro: past-inspired styles, made fun and wearable for today.
At the Drive-In Movie
Picture a 1950s drive-in on a summer night: milkshakes, convertibles and black-and-white romance on the big screen.
1. The High Ponytail With a Chiffon Scarf
A bouncy high ponytail with a chiffon scarf tied around the base in a bow. It’s sweet, playful and very 1950s.
Soundtrack: doo-wop and early rock ‘n’ roll
Modern way to wear it: add soft waves to the ponytail and choose a silk scarf in a neutral color.
2. The Short Curly Crop
A short, tight curly crop with lots of volume on top, a popular 1950s look.
Soundtrack: big-band swing
Modern way to wear it: keep the curls looser and softer for a fresh take.
On the Surf Beach
The 1960s surf scene: sunny beaches, wooden surfboards and endless summer.
3. Long Straight Hair With a Headband
Long, straight hair with a center part and a thin headband. It’s simple, sun-kissed and effortlessly cool.
Soundtrack: surf rock
Modern way to wear it: add a few beachy waves at the ends.
4. Flipped Beach Waves
Shoulder-length hair with loose waves and ends flipped outward, like it’s been tousled by the ocean breeze.
Soundtrack: beach pop
Modern way to wear it: use sea salt spray for a softer, more natural flip.
In the Mod Boutique
1960s London: miniskirts, bold graphics and sharp, modern style.
5. The Mod Pixie With a Long Fringe
A very short pixie with a long, sweeping fringe that falls across the forehead.
Soundtrack: British pop and rock
Modern way to wear it: pair it with winged eyeliner for a subtle nod to the era.
6. The Half-Up Bouffant With a Bow
Volume at the crown with the top half pinned back and a bow at the back of the head.
My aunt wore this to a mod-themed birthday party a few years ago, and she said she felt like she’d stepped right out of a 1960s magazine.
Soundtrack: ’60s girl groups
Modern way to wear it: keep the volume soft rather than dramatic.
On the Disco Floor
The 1970s: glitter balls, platform shoes and dancing all night.
7. The Big Feathered Blowout
Voluminous, feathered layers that flip back and away from the face. It’s glamorous, bouncy and pure 1970s.
Soundtrack: disco
Modern way to wear it: soften the feathering for a modern blowout.
8. The Disco Afro With a Hair Pick
A big, rounded afro styled with a hair pick, sometimes with the pick left in as an accessory. It’s bold, beautiful and full of attitude.
Soundtrack: funk and soul
Modern way to wear it: add a gold hair pick or cuffs for a modern touch.
9. Long Sleek Middle-Part Hair
Long, glossy, perfectly straight hair with a center part, swinging as you dance.
Soundtrack: ’70s soft rock
Modern way to wear it: add a gloss for extra shine.
In the Aerobics Class
The 1980s fitness craze: leotards, leg warmers and bright headbands.
10. The High Side Ponytail With a Scrunchie
A high ponytail placed off to one side and secured with a big, colorful scrunchie. It’s playful, bold and very 1980s.
This is the ponytail from my mom’s roller rink photo. She tried recreating it last year for my birthday party, and she still knew exactly how to do it.
Soundtrack: ’80s pop
Modern way to wear it: use a satin scrunchie and keep the ponytail sleek.
11. Crimped Hair
Hair crimped into tight zigzag waves with a crimping iron for big volume and texture.
Soundtrack: synth-pop
Modern way to wear it: crimp just a few sections underneath for subtle texture.
At the Roller Rink
The 1980s roller rink: neon lights, mixtapes and couples’ skate.
12. The Banana Clip Ponytail
Hair gathered vertically at the back of the head with a long banana clip, creating a cascading, voluminous ponytail.
Soundtrack: ’80s rock
Modern way to wear it: choose a tortoiseshell banana clip for a chic update.
At the ’90s Shopping Mall
Saturday afternoons at the mall, with food courts, music stores and friends.
13. Twists With Butterfly Clips
Small twisted sections of hair at the front, each secured with a colorful butterfly clip.
When I was eleven, my best friend and I wore matching butterfly clips every single weekend. We spent our pocket money on new colors at the mall accessory shop.
Soundtrack: ’90s pop
Modern way to wear it: use one or two clips instead of many.
14. The Zigzag Part
A zigzag part made with the tail of a comb, often worn with a high ponytail or loose hair.
Soundtrack: ’90s R&B
Modern way to wear it: keep the zigzag subtle and soft.
At the ’90s Prom
The 1990s prom: satin slip dresses, spaghetti straps and glitter everywhere.
15. The Spiky Bun
A high bun with the ends left sticking out in spiky pieces. It’s playful and very late-’90s.
Soundtrack: ’90s alternative
Modern way to wear it: keep the spikes soft and slightly messy.
16. The Face-Framing Tendril Updo
An updo with two thin pieces of hair left down to frame the face. It’s one of the most recognizable ’90s prom looks.
Soundtrack: ’90s ballads
Modern way to wear it: curl the tendrils softly instead of leaving them straight.
Retro Tools Making a Comeback
Many retro hair tools are popular again:
- Crimping irons for zigzag texture
- Hot rollers for bouncy volume
- Hair picks for natural afros and curls
- Banana clips for voluminous ponytails
- Butterfly clips and scrunchies for playful accents
Crimping Safely
- Always use heat protectant.
- Use a lower temperature on fine or colored hair.
- Crimp dry hair only.
- Hold each section for just a few seconds.
Thrifting Retro Accessories
Some of the best retro accessories are found secondhand:
- Check thrift shops for scarves, headbands and clips.
- Look in family members’ old jewelry boxes.
- Visit vintage markets and fairs.
- Clean secondhand accessories before wearing them.
Host a Retro Hair Night
One of my favorite memories is a retro hair night I hosted with friends. Everyone brought a photo of their parents or grandparents from a different decade, and we tried to recreate each hairstyle. We laughed for hours, and the photos are still some of our favorites.
To host your own:
- Choose a decade or mix them all.
- Ask everyone to bring a reference photo.
- Set up a station with crimpers, rollers, scrunchies and clips.
- Play music from each era.
Keeping Retro From Looking Like a Costume
To wear retro hair every day:
- Choose one retro element, like a scrunchie or flipped ends.
- Keep the rest of your look modern.
- Soften dramatic volume for everyday wear.
Final Thoughts
Retro hairstyles carry the energy of drive-in movies, surf beaches, disco floors, roller rinks and ’90s shopping malls. Whether you try a scarf-tied ponytail, a crimped side pony or butterfly clips, you’re bringing a little bit of that magic into today.
Pick your favorite scene, choose a style and turn on the matching soundtrack while you get ready.
Which retro scene would you love to step into? Let me know in the comments below.
