The pompadour was a century’s old hairstyle that had been reimagined during the decade to create a unique and popular 80s hairstyle.
While popular throughout the 80s, the pompadour has actually been around for several centuries. It was a voluminous look that was prominent in the fashion and music scenes throughout the decade. From rockabilly revivalists to contemporary pop icons , the pompadour successfully bridged old-school sophistication with a modern edge. Featuring a bold, dramatic flair that perfectly captured the energy of the decade, the pompadour truly was an 80s hairstyle that stood the test of time.
From the 18th Century to 80s Hairstyle The pompadour first appeared back in the 18th century by Madame de Pompadou who was the mistress of King Louis XV of France. And, over the millennia, the style would come and go at regular intervals. But its resurgence during the 80s was rooted in the era’s cultural and social dynamics. After all, the 80s embraced a more retro style aesthetic, and due to Elvis Pressley regularly sporting the pompadour, the style quickly grew in popularity.
With the help of MTV and music videos, more and more artists began to sport a pompadour in their music videos and on the stage. After all, they were looking for a more eye-catching style that would fit into the pop and alternative subcultures of the time.
It’s also important to remember that the 80s saw a rise in consumerism thanks to a widening middle-class and an increase in disposable incomes. People wanted individuality, and they wanted extravagance. This led people across the country to hairstyles that pushed the very boundaries of normality. When coupled with the technological advancements in hairstyling products, people were able to achieve volume and structure that had never been possible before.
The Rise of the Pompadour As an 80s Hairstyle In order to understand how the pompadour became popular throughout the 80s, we need to take a closer look at the pop icons of the decade, the rise of the rockabilly revival, and the many advancements in hair product technology.
The Rockabilly Revival’s Effect on 80s Hairstyle Naturally, one of the most prominent trends that helped to bring the pompadour back into the spotlight during the 80s, was the rockabilly revival. You had mainstream artists like Stray Cats and Brian Setzer who all embraced the pompadour and often paired it with leather jackets and other vintage aesthetics. After all, people wanted to bring back that rebellious spirit of the 50s with a modern twist.
As a result, the pompadour quickly became a symbol of individuality and defiance. It appealed to both traditionalists as well as trendsetters across the subcultures of the decade. And, thanks to its dramatic height and clean lines, it was able to complement even the sharpest tailored looks of the era. This made the pompadour the perfect hairstyle for the rockabilly resurgence of the decade.
The Pop Icons Who Sported the Pompadour As an 80s Hairstyle It wasn’t just the rockabilly movement that began to sport the pompadour throughout the 80s. The 80s hairstyle began to segue into other subcultures of the decade including pop music. You had mainstream artists like David Bowie and Prince who both used the hairstyle in order to accentuate their more androgynous and avant-garde personas. Prince, in particular, sought a very sleek and voluminous pompadour as a defining element of his image both on and off the stage.
At the same time, women began to also sport a pompadour on a regular basis due to it being a statement of empowerment and sophistication. In fact, on occasion, Madonna was known to experiment with pompadour-inspired looks to help elevate her style and project a more powerful modern femininity. And, thanks to the adaptability of the pompadour, it quickly became a favorite among celebrities who used the hairstyle to emphasize their own bold and dynamic personas.
80s Hairstyle Products and Techniques While the 80s were known for the rise in consumerism, it was also a period of time when we saw a surge in hairstyling innovations. These 80s hairstyle products and techniques made the pompadour more accessible. Naturally, there was the hairspray, mousse, and shall that played a crucial role in building and maintaining the voluminous structure. The popularity and availability of blow dryers and curling irons allowed for more precise shaping of the air, and salons across the nation mastered the layered cut which helped to enhance the height and drama of the hairstyle.
The People Who Made the Pompadour a Popular 80s Hairstyle There were several figures who helped to define the pompadour’s prominence throughout the 80s. One of the biggest names was Prince. He was known for his gravity-defying coiffure, which became a core part of his style. He used it to combine its more retro roots with a futuristic allure that everyone wanted to mimic. Then there was David Bowie. He frequently reinvented the pompadour and pompadour-inspired elements into his own unique style.
As previously mentioned we have Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats who also played a pivotal role in reintroducing the pompadour to the rockabilly revival movement. His meticulously styled hair and vintage anesthetic help to solidify the hairstyle as a symbol of nostalgia and rebellion. And in no time, artists throughout the rockabilly movement followed suit with their own rendition of the pompadour.
Then on April 5, 1987, the world was introduced to the family sitcom, Married with Children. Peg Bundy, who is played by Katey Sagal, was often seen sporting a pompadour-styled hairdo throughout the 11 seasons, a similar style, that would be picked up in the 90s by Fran Drescher in her role as The Nanny.
Cultural Impact and Legacy of the Pompadour There is no question that the pompadour heavily influenced hairstyling throughout the 80s. Not only did it play a crucial role in the fashion and music industries, but it was prominently visible on both the television and the big screen. As a result, the pompadour became a symbol of confidence and individuality throughout the decade. In a period of time that embraced bold and attention-grabbing aesthetics, the pompadour quickly became the perfect hairstyle to bridge the gap between many different subcultures.
Conclusion The pompadour was a statement of individuality which helped it to become more than just another 80s hairstyle. It symbolized confidence and artistry, and although it was rooted in the rockabilly revival movement, it had been reimagined time and time again through pop culture, helping it to successfully capture the decade’s vibrant spirit. And, despite having been first imagined back in the 18th century, the pompadour continues to amaze us with its ability to continuously resurge back into popularity.
