Fabulous ’50s Hairstyles

This classic ’50s style bob takes inspiration from Grace Kelly, and is a sophisticated way to dress up hair that lands above the shoulders. To get these curls, set hair in pin curls or rollers, then brush out and tame with serum or styling cream.

A modern version of the ultra popular Italian cut worn by ’50s stars like Gina Lollobrigida and Elizabeth Taylor, this pixie is a great option for thick haired women. Natural curls add lots of volume, while baby bangs keep things clean around the face.

In a decade when long hair was for young girls, above the shoulder cuts signalled grown-up sex appeal. Scarlett Johansson’s look here reminds us that the idea of longer hair being more feminine is far from universal truth.

Unlike modern styles, where we usually see loose ends of hair whether it’s styled straight or curled, a brushed under style like this leaves long hair looking extra polished, with every strand perfectly in place. Stock up on hairspray before you try this look at home!

Inspired by the poodle cut popular in the early ’50s, this updo has lots of natural curls piled up on top of the head. The rest of hair gets pinned at the back and adorned with a flower, reminding us of Billie Holiday’s signature hairstyle.

For women who didn’t opt for short hair in the ’50s, high ponytails were the trendiest way to wear your longer locks. Reese Witherspoon’s red carpet look proves that this retro inspired style continues to be a glamorous choice today.

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s iconic pixie, this short style is perfect if you’re looking for a dramatic way to change up your look while keeping your hair in a classic style. Pixies like this are especially flattering on women with oval and heart shaped faces, and the piecey bangs can help to minimize a larger forehead while being easier to style than bangs that are thick or bluntly cut.

There’s something endlessly appealing about a prim and proper updo, especially when paired with well-tailored clothing and a dark berry lip. This vintage-inspired double rolled updo is one of the most elegant ways to wear a throwback style, either for an everyday occasion, or for your vintage themed wedding.

As the most iconic star of the ’50s, Marilyn Monroe’s platinum curls continue to be a way to ooze sex symbol style. To get these curls, you can set hair in rollers, or use a standard curling iron, but be sure to lift hair up and out for maximum volume.

This intricate style is a great option if you’re looking for an updo that’s outside of the norm. Featuring many, perfectly pinned rolls, you’ll probably need to practice this style before your big night out.

Another style inspired by Audrey Hepburn, this pixie is styled with hair brushed back and away from the face. This classic style puts your face completely on display, and requires a lot of confidence to pull off. For first time pixie wearers, we’d recommend a style with longer pieces in front before graduating to a look this bold.

Copy Taylor Swift’s vintage style for the perfect mix of youth and Old Hollywood glam. This deep side part with a soft wave is a good choice for balancing and framing your face without the commitment of adding bangs to your style.

With short, Bettie Page bangs in a deep indigo hue, this look is a perfect example of how vintage trends can be used in a modern style. By only placing half of hair up in rolls, the overall look is playful but edgy.

For short haired women who aren’t interested in the demure pixie style, why not try a pompadour as made popular by the greaser subculture of the ’50s. When mixed with this platinum hue and a modern, edgy undercut, this pompadour looks stylishly crisp, and definitely not stuck in the past.

This style sneaks in some vintage flair with finger waves near the roots, but allows the ends of curls to fall in a more modern, spiral curl. Perfect for when you want a dash of ’50s without going full on retro.

This bumper bangs and headscarf style became popular in the ’40s when many young women began working in factories during WWII, and continued to be seen in the ’50s. Think of it as Rosie The Riveter gone chic!

Proving that long, blonde hair never truly goes out of style, Blake Lively’s curls and deep side part are the perfect way to bring ’50s style to your modern black tie event or wedding.

This is a sweet and simple style that’s easy for anyone with long hair to wear. Wrapping the pony with a ribbon or scarf elevates this everyday style, and is an easy way to tie an outfit together, or add an extra splashy pattern to the mix.

Much like Dita Von Teese epitomizes the modern woman with a vintage heart, these soft finger waves and curls are a ’50s inspired style that’s endlessly chic, and doesn’t look like it’s meant for a Halloween costume.

Another way to wear curls inspired by Marilyn, this look features hair that’s on the shorter side, for an overall look that’s a little more subtle and mature.

Another ’50s way to wear a pony, this style features curled hair that you can set in rollers the night before, or style with a curling wand for a quicker fix. The bow in front ties everything together with a playful nod to the past.

These big brunette curls are inspired by voluptuous starts like Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor. This modern style is long enough to put in an updo if needed, but has tons of vintage glam when it’s worn down.

While Audrey Hepburn might be most known for her iconic pixie cut, she also popularized a high ponytail with short bangs when she wore the style in the 1957 film Funny Face. The bangs seen here on Penelope Cruz are a little bit longer than Audrey wore, but still land above the eyebrows for instant face framing and eye-popping appeal.

Another take on the ultra short pixie that was popularized in the ’50s, this gamine style creates an amazing contrast between “boyish” hair and soft, feminine features.

This high-piled style was a glamorous, more mature way to wear hair in a 1950s updo. To get maximum volume, use extensions or a hair donut as a filler in your bouffant.

The epitome of pin up glam, Katy Perry’s raven hair with short bangs makes her a dead ringer for ’50s pin-up icon Bettie Page. In addition to being edgy and stylish, these bangs will make your eyes pop like crazy.

Unlike modern bobs that often feature blunt or heavily texturized ends, this vintage style bob is all softness and romance, with the ends of hair being styled inward. Try setting the ends of your shoulder length hair in rollers to get this look on your own.

Another example of retro styling that uses setting techniques instead of curling irons to add texture to hair, this vintage glam bob can be created with rollers or pin curls.

For a sassier, less dressy bouffant, try this updo with rolled bangs and a bandana or headscarf to keep everything in place.

Even When Katy Perry isn’t wearing Bettie Page bangs, she loves vintage styles like these big curls worn with lots of volume and flipped out at the ends.