A Look Back at All The Hairstyles That Were Trendy The Year You Were Born

Everett Collection

Lobs and hair color that vaguely resembles cold brew might be having a moment on Instagram, but let's not forget the good — or the not so good — hairstyles of yore that paved the way for today's trends. In the name of #TBT, we're taking a look back at the styles celebs were rocking back in the '80s, '90s, and early '00s.

Want to know which look was all the rage the year you were born? Read ahead to see the styles that practically everyone rocked that year.

1988: Shoulder-Length Ringlets

Curls were out and poppin' in 1988 — just ask Susan Sarandon.

1989: Layered Shags

Blunt cuts and bobs might be cool today, but in 1989, chopping your hair into a shag à la Kelly Lynch in Road House was where it was really at.

1990: Voluminous Curls

If you had curly hair in 1990, chances are you wore it with lots of volume at the roots like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

1991: Wispy Bangs

The rock 'n' roll shag haircut is trending for 2018, but Linda Hamilton was ahead of the curve in 1991.

1992: Sideswept Blowout

Teased roots and a voluminous side bang would definitely be top of Drybar's menu had it existed in the early '90s.

1993: Teased Pompadour

Teased updos were appropriate all day every day back in the early '90s, not just for weddings and special events. Just ask Sally Field.

1994: Bob With Bangs

Considering how badass Uma Thurman looked with a bob and bangs in Pulp Fiction, it's no surprise the look is still a classic style up to this day.

1995: Side Wisps

Half-up, half-down looks in the '90s weren't complete without a few loose pieces of hair to frame the face.

1996: Flipped Ends

In the 1996 film Scream, Courteney Cox wore her hair in a flipped-out shoulder-length cut. She kept it out of her face with a printed headband.

1997: The Rachel

Everything Rachel Green — aka Jennifer Aniston — did with her hair back in 1997, the world did. That means slicked-back updos, chunky highlights, and the classic Rachel cut.

1998: Chin-Length Bob

Cameron Diaz wasn't the only one chopping her hair into a chin-length bob in 1998.

1999: Curled Ends

Whether your hair was permed or straightened, you probably wore it with a loose curl at the end like Queen Latifah.

2000: Side Parts

Sleek hair has proven to be a classic style from the early '00s to now, but it was the deep side parts that made the most impact.

2001: Pinned-Back Styles

Reese Witherspoon kept her curls combed out, but the main attraction circa 2001 was the accessories. Exhibit A: her bobby pins in Legally Blonde.

2002: Pixie Cut

Find us someone who didn't want to copy Halle Berry's iconic pixie cut . . . we'll wait.

2003: Natural Curls

While more and more people have been embracing their natural hair textures in recent years, that doesn't mean curls weren't out and poppin' in the early '00s.

2004: Layers Upon Layers Upon Layers

Whether your hair was long or short, you probably had it cut in cascading layers back in '04.

Be in the Know
Great. Thanks for signing up!
Sign up for astrology, pop culture moments, TikTok trends, relationship advice, and much more.
We'll see you in your inbox
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Related