Iconic Hairstyles of the 1970s
The 1970s blended free-spirited bohemian style with disco glamour and the start of a more relaxed, lived-in approach to hair. The result was a decade of genuinely iconic looks — several of which still shape what we ask for today. Here’s a look back at five of the era’s defining women’s hairstyles and the famous faces behind them.
Farrah Flicks — Farrah Fawcett
Perhaps the single most iconic hairstyle of the decade. Farrah Fawcett’s feathered, flicked-out layers — all bounce and movement — defined 70s glamour. The look was built with a round brush and a blow dryer, flipping the ends outward for that signature voluminous, tousled finish. It became shorthand for effortless 70s beauty and is still referenced today.
Disco Curls — Donna Summer
The “Queen of Disco” brought disco curls to the dance floor — a glamorous cascade of voluminous, bouncy curls full of confidence and movement. Achieved with rollers or a large-barrel tong, it captured the sheer extravagance of the disco era. Big, joyful and unmistakably 70s.
Sleek Straight Hair — Cher
While much of the decade was about volume, Cher went the other way. Her long, glossy, poker-straight hair with a centre parting was minimalist and striking — understated elegance as a bold statement in its own right. It became part of her timeless, unconventional image and influenced women after a sleeker, simpler look.
The Shag — Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda helped popularise the shag — layered, feathered and deliberately tousled, with bags of texture and movement. Relaxed and effortlessly cool, it suited the decade’s more liberated mood perfectly. The shag has never really left, and it’s had a notable revival in recent years — our guides to the shag haircut and everything to know about a shag cover the modern version.
The Classic Bob — Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore’s chic, chin-length bob — sleek with straight or softly curled ends — brought a polished, modern elegance to 70s hair. It read as independent and confident, and the bob has remained a genuine classic ever since. Our guide to the bob covers how it’s worn today.
70s Hair Today
The 70s have aged well. The shag, soft layers, the bob, even Farrah’s feathered movement — these aren’t just nostalgia, they’re styles still cut and requested regularly. If a 70s-inspired look appeals, our stylists can adapt the spirit of any of them into a modern, wearable cut. Have a browse of our ladies’ haircuts for ideas, or book a consultation.
Enjoyed this one? Take a look at our other decades too — 90s, 80s and 60s hairstyles.
