Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Fashion
From Clean Shaven to the Rise of Wigs
Men's hairstyles have undergone incredible transformations in Western culture to mirror the changing times in politics, fashion, and society. From 1450 to 1515, during the Renaissance era, this culture mainly wore clean shaven faces with shoulder length haircuts, the most famous of these being the Pageboy style, among other designs, worn by figures like Charles VIII of France. The clean shaven look of this era partly emanated because of the alliances that had been forged with the Pope, who banned facial hair for clergy. But in the early 16th century saw the grand return of the beards spurred on by legends such as King Francis I of France, who accidentally burns his beard to give rise to wreath shaped facial hair. By the late 1600s, longer, curled hairstyles and the wig with all its complexities became fashionable, especially at the French court. King Louis XIV the "Sun King" hid his premature baldness under a very long wig with curls and set it as the style defining aristocratic fashion across Europe.
From Elegance to Natural Styles
The 18th century was an age of refinement and grace, where even men's hair was done up in wigs in soft hues of blond, echoing the airiness of the Rococo style. Hair would generally curl in a bevy of twists and be adorned with black ribbons or even placed discreetly in silk bags. As the century drew to a close, these wigs grew taller and more flamboyant, yielding to the status symbol of one's sophistication. The 19th century, however, ushered in times that favored simplicity, an effect of the ideals of the Romantic era. Hair was supposed to be in its natural looks, at short to medium length, with sideburns for drama, this symbolized freedom from the bondage of previous over rulings. One of the most prominent among them was the 5th Duke of Bedford, who wore his hair cropped due to heavy tax on powder. And, as usual, this natural look became popular and survives to this day.
From Military Influence to Counterculture
Each decade of the 20th century continued to harbor a new revolution in men's hairstyles. During World War II, the clean cut military crew cut was typical, and during the return of peace, the 1950s ushered in the era of iconic rebellion with rock and roll, as evidenced by the slicked back pompadour that Elvis Presley used to great effect. The counterculture of the 1960s defied grooming standards, including long, flowing hair that represented the unfettered expressions of freedom and defiance, as shown by the "mop top" style of The Beatles. Then, creative cuts took center stage during the spirited attitude of the 1970s, like the mullet and afros, inspired by the commanding rock stars and the increasingly higher state of civil rights. Big hair and fades were just two parts of the excess enjoyed in everything during the 1980s, and the dynamics of the music and culture of that decade are well told.
A Celebration of Diversity
Men's hairstyles of today are vastly representative of the sense of self expression and inclusivity valued in today's society. Boy bands dominated the 2000s with edgy, spiky hairstyles achieved with gels and waxes that became staples in men's grooming kits. Most recently, men have been embracing everything from natural curls to brightly dyed hair after breaking free from conventional norms. Trends like bright colors have become popular, celebrities have influenced the trend toward unusual colors, and this has helped men see hair as an outlet for creativity. Beards also saw a major resurgence in popularity, including the re emergence of such old styles as the "cop mustache" of the 1970s. Grooming for men in the modern day is all about versatility, from minimalist buzz cuts to almost intricate hairstyles, creatively balancing tradition with innovation to suit each taste.
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