In an era where bold fashion statements were a normal part of everyday life, crimped hair quickly became one of the defining trends of the 80s.
The 80s were full of bold fashion statements. And, crimped hair stood out as a hairstyle that was capable of capturing the decade’s spirit of individuality and creativity. Featuring a zigzag texture and voluminous appearance , crimped hair grew to become a symbol of rebellion against the more traditional polished hairstyles of the 60s and 70s. From music videos to the red carpet, the crimped look redefined an era where self-expression was an art form. Known for its edgy yet playful vibe, crimped hair is an iconic reminder of the daring approach to style and innovation in the 80s.
The Rise of the Popular Trends of the 80s To understand how the 80s became so unique, we need to take a look at the cultural and economic shifts that took place during the decade. The 70s were a period of stagnant economic growth due to the oil crisis that affected everyone across the country. As the 80s rolled in, consumerism began to grow thanks to the widening middle-class, and the availability of disposable incomes. When coupled with the rise of the MTV generation, people wanted to re-create the iconic looks of their favorite musicians.
Some of the biggest pop stars of the 80s were Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Not only was their music entertaining and edgy, but their personal style choices redefined an entire generation. They quickly became the forefront of the fashion industry and were considered by many to be the original influencers. They inspired fans across the country to experiment with bolder and edgier looks.
Of course, there were also a number of technological advancements in hairstyling technology that took place during the 80s. The most important of these advancements was the introduction of the crimping iron. Although a curling iron had been around for quite some time, a crimping iron was something that was completely new. And, every girl across the nation was asking for one for Christmas. With the crimping iron readily available, the popularity of crimped hair grew with leaps and bounds, the youth culture followed suit. And, they began using crimped hair as a representation of their freedom, creativity, and their larger-than-life personalities.
How Crimped Hair Became Defining Trends of the 80s Let’s take a closer look at how crimping irons help to make crimped hair one of the most defining trends of the 80s.
Trends of the 80s and Crimping Irons At the heart of any crimped hairstyle, is the unique zigzag texture that is achieved using heated crimping irons. In a matter of seconds, anyone across the country was able to transform their ordinary hair into a bold fashion statement thanks to the defined structural waves. This zigzag style became synonymous with the decade and appeared everywhere from high fashion to teen pop culture.
To achieve the crimped look, girls would section off sections of hair and crimp from the root to the tip. This created a more exaggerated and voluminous effect. For most throughout the decade, it was the ultimate way to stand out. It reflected a desire for individuality, and, in a decade that thrived on the larger-than-life trends.
Blended Hair Trends of the 80s But, girls didn’t simply just crimp their hair and call it a day. Instead, crimped hair was often blended with other popular 80s hairstyles. This helped to amplify the effect. One of the more common options was to blend crimped hair with a layered cut or teased bangs. Others would incorporate crimped hair into their high ponytails or mix them with colorful accessories like scrunchies or bows.
Even celebrities got into the crimping revolution, as a way to completely reinvent their looks. You had stars like Pat Benatar and Princess Diana who experimented with the crimped textures. They help to showcase the versatility of the style throughout the decade. And, it was this adaptability to both casual and formal occasions that made it a quintessential trend of the decade.
Trends of the 80s and DIY Culture Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that crimped hair truly became popular was the DIY culture of the 80s. Yes, it was possible to go to a Fantastic Sams to get your hair crimped. But, more and more girls would simply do it themselves. During the middle part of the 80s, crimping Irons were dirt cheap. And became as commonplace in the bathroom as a curling iron or a hairdryer. As a result, teenagers across the country were able to join in on the crimped hairstyle fun. It wasn’t uncommon for girls to have a sleepover and crimp each other’s hair tease their bangs, and create some of the most extravagant fashion statements unimaginable.
The People Who Made Crimped Hair a Thing Some of the biggest influencers of the 80s were musicians on MTV. You had top-name celebrities like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper who were known to incorporate crimped sections into their hairstyles. They help to inspire millions of teenagers across the country to adopt the look. And, Cyndi Lauper’s quirky yet colorful take on crimped hair quickly made it an essential part of the rebellious, fun-loving, and larger-than-life image of the decade.
The Impact and Legacy of Crimped Hair But, crimped hair was so much more than just another style. Thanks to the celebrities who sported crimped hair, it quickly grew to become a cultural phenomenon. It celebrated the individuality and experimental nature of the decade. The look itself embodied the decade’s ethos on nonconformity. This reflected the shifting values of the youth generation who wanted to express themselves through fashion and beauty.
And, the crimped hairstyle of the 80s never truly went away, as it continues to resurface in modern fashion and pop culture on a regular basis. It seems like every year a contemporary stylus reimagines the crimped hair with subtle waves or slick minimalistic designs in order to ensure its lasting legacy. But more importantly, is that the development of the crimping iron, inspired the development of other hairstyle devices, which made it a key milestone in the evolution of haircare technology which began in the 80s.
Conclusion Ultimately, crimped hair remained a quintessential part of the trends of the 80s. In a decade that embraced boldness and self-expression in every form, the distinctive zigzag pattern of crimped hair made it a personal favorite for people from all walks of life. And, despite the ever-changing trend of hairstyles over the decades, crimped hair continues to inspire modern interpretations. As a result, crimped hair has become a timeless trend of the decade.
