70s Hairstyles for Women: Feathered Flips, Shags and More

If you've booked a haircut lately and asked for curtain bangs or a shag, congratulations. You're basically wearing the 70s.

The decade gave us some of the most copied hair in history, from Farrah's flick to the perfect afro. Here are 10 iconic 70s hairstyles, the stars who made them famous, and how to wear each one now without looking like you're off to a costume party.

1. The Feathered Flip (Farrah Fawcett)

You can't talk about 70s hair without Farrah. When Charlie's Angels hit TV in 1976, her big, feathered blonde layers flicked back off the face became one of the most requested looks in salons.

It's all about volume and movement. Layers around the face are blow-dried up and back, so they look like they're flying. A round brush and a lot of hairspray were essential.

2. The Shag (Jane Fonda)

Jane Fonda's choppy shag in Klute (1971) basically launched a trend. Created by stylist Paul McGregor, it was short and layered on top, longer at the back, and messy in a cool, deliberate way.

The shag is the one 70s cut that never really left. It's had a massive comeback, and it works brilliantly on wavy and curly hair.

3. The Afro (Pam Grier)

The afro was more than a hairstyle in the 70s. It was a statement of Black pride and natural beauty.

Pam Grier made it iconic on screen in films like Coffy and Foxy Brown, and Diana Ross wore some of the most glamorous afros of the decade. Big, round and full, it's still one of the most striking looks ever.

4. Long, Straight and Middle-Parted (Cher)

The opposite of all that volume. Cher's poker-straight, waist-length black hair with a sharp middle part was pure 70s cool. Ali MacGraw's long, sleek hair in Love Story (1970) had a lot of fans too.

It's simple, but it needs to be glossy. Think shiny, swishy and very, very long.

5. The Wedge (Dorothy Hamill)

When figure skater Dorothy Hamill won Olympic gold in 1976, her short, bouncy wedge cut became a sensation. It was cut short and stacked at the back, so it fell perfectly back into place even after a spin.

It's sporty, easy and very cute. Basically the 70s version of the wash-and-go bob.

6. Birkin Bangs (Jane Birkin)

Jane Birkin's long hair and soft, wispy fringe are so famous they have their own name. "Birkin bangs" are full but airy, brushing the eyebrows and falling a little messily over the eyes.

They're the reason half of Pinterest wants a fringe right now. Paired with long, undone hair, they look effortless, which is the whole point.

7. Big Disco Curls (Donna Summer)

The disco era was all about volume and glamour. Donna Summer, the Queen of Disco, wore big, bouncy curls that looked amazing under the lights.

Think tight, defined ringlets or giant soft curls, often with a side part and plenty of shine. This was hair made for the dance floor.

8. Braids and Cornrows (Cicely Tyson)

Braids have a long history in Black culture, and the 70s brought them into the mainstream spotlight. Cicely Tyson was a trailblazer, wearing braided and natural styles on screen at a time when Hollywood rarely showed them.

When Bo Derek wore beaded cornrows in the 1979 film 10, it sparked a big conversation about who gets credit for the style. Today, braids are rightly recognized as a Black hair tradition with deep roots.

9. The Headscarf (Jackie Kennedy Onassis)

Not every 70s hair moment was about the cut. Jackie Kennedy Onassis made the silk headscarf and big sunglasses combo iconic, wrapping her hair for a chic, low-key look.

Meanwhile, the hippie crowd tied bandanas and printed scarves around their foreheads. Either way, scarves were a big part of 70s style.

10. Choppy Punk Blonde (Debbie Harry)

By the late 70s, punk and new wave were changing everything. Blondie's Debbie Harry gave us platinum hair with dark roots, choppy layers and a bit of attitude.

It was the opposite of Farrah's polished flick, and it pointed straight at the 80s.

How to Wear 70s Hair Now

The modern versions are softer and a lot less crunchy. Nobody needs to use a whole can of hairspray anymore.

Want the Farrah look? Ask for long face-framing layers and curtain bangs, then blow-dry them back with a big round brush. It's flattering on almost everyone.

The shag and its cousin, the wolf cut, are perfect if you have natural wave or curl. Scrunch in a little texture spray and let it air dry.

If you're not ready to commit to a cut, try the styling instead. A sleek middle part, a silk scarf or a few big curls for a night out will give you instant 70s vibes. Pair it with flares and platforms and you're set.

Want to go all in? Our guide to 70s fashion for women has everything you need for the outfit to match.

Final Thoughts

The 70s gave us hair with real personality, from Farrah's flick to Pam Grier's afro and Debbie Harry's punk platinum. The best part is how wearable most of it still is.

And if you're in the mood for more throwback hair, check out these iconic 90s hairstyles too.