Rockabilly Hairstyles for Men




Rockabilly Hairstyles for Men - If style pundits were in any doubt as to the status of the rockabilly hair revival that has been gradually gaining momentum over the last two years, then the display of 30s, 40s and 50s-inspired retro hair at the menswear shows this year was the final proof they needed. Designers including the likes of Jil Sander and Thomas Maier at Bottega Veneta sent out model after model sporting playful quiffs accessorised with rockabilly string ties and greaser gear. The message was undeniable: rockabilly - specifically rockabilly hair - is back and we can comfortably add it to the list of men's 2010 hair trends.

When you think of the rockabilly haircut images of James Dean, Elvis Presley and John Travolta in Grease immediately spring to mind. The hairstyle constituted slick back hair (hence the name 'greaser'). The top was kept longer in length as was the back and the sides were short and the hair could be parted, slicked back or pompadour. The 'ducktail' (also known as the 'duck's ass' or 'D.A') is another variation where a central part runs down the head with the side sections curled in (as shown at Bottega Veneta, above).

Bottega Veneta Autumn / Fall 2010
When you think of the rockabilly haircut images of James Dean, Elvis Presley and John Travolta in Grease immediately spring to mind. The hairstyle constituted slick back hair (hence the name 'greaser'). The top was kept longer in length as was the back and the sides were short and the hair could be parted, slicked back or pompadour. The 'ducktail' (also known as the 'duck's ass' or 'D.A') is another variation where a central part runs down the head with the side sections curled in (as shown at Bottega Veneta, above).

Not that the present incarnation of the rockabilly is the only resurgence of the hairstyle since its 50s heyday, like fashion's ever turning cycle, rockabilly style has been on and off trend at various times since its creation. Ever ebbing and flowing, the style evolved in the 80s thanks chiefly to musical icons such as Morrissey and his ilk who gave the quiff a new lease of life. Quickly gargantuan pompadours were both gracing the covers of magazines everywhere and in turn the streets where disenfranchised youths quickly adopted the statement-making barnet.


In Japan there has been a large rockabilly subculture for some time. Stroll down to a particular downtown park in Tokyo on the right day and you'll witness a gathering of exaggerated greaser-types treating passers-by to a variety of elaborate dance routines while lip-synching to vintage rock 'n' roll music, their perfect gravity-defying exaggerated quiffs moving along to the music. Even women are getting in on the act. Last year during the women's catwalks shows models including Agyness Deyn adopted the men's rockabilly and stars such as Pink and Rihanna have both experimented with the masculine quiff. However, the award for the heftiest version on a woman must go to La Roux whose mammoth quiff has become her style signature.
Yes, you may get cat-calls along the lines of "hey Elvis!" from the style unenlightened on the street, but experimenting with rockabilly hair shows definite style savvy.