Top 10 Most Iconic Vintage Hairstyles

Forget Jennifer Aniston’s ‘Rachel’ hair cut that caused such a storm in the 90s’. Rebecca Martin has found ten truly iconic vintage hairstyles, which make us want to book an appointment at the hairdressers right now.

1. Louise Brooks
Aside from her iconic trend-setting bob, Louise was also a showgirl, actress and dancer during her heyday in the Twenties. Today, the bob has been voted the most popular hairstyle of all time – and we believe Louise was party responsible. Her sharp cut and dark chocolate hue are the only way a really good bob works. Look to Anna Wintour, Katie Holmes, or Selma Blair for modern-day bob followers.






2. Mia Farrow

This American beauty was famed for her performance in chilling flick Rosemary’s Baby, but it was the adorable pixie crop which stole our hearts. Mia, a true Sixties starlet, had her blonde locks chopped just before her controversial marriage to the much older Frank Sinatra. The legendary Vidal Sassoon was responsible, and many stylists have attempted to copy his work – cue Kate Moss in the Nineties and Mrs Beckham in the Noughties. Much like films and songs though, nothing beats the original.

3. Audrey Hepburn

The face of many an iconic film shot and student posters, our Audrey probably had the best tresses of her time. Her diamond face shape and striking cheek bones allowed for a variety of memorable hairstyles which have defined today’s red carpet do’s. With a chic, classic influence, Audrey knew how to play on her best bits – hair piled atop her head in a chignon, or cropped to gamine-length, the movie star could frame her face to perfection.

  4. Marilyn Monroe

The epitome of a Fifties pin-up, Marilyn proved that gentlemen really do prefer blondes. Miss Monroe reduced grown men to jelly with her hot hourglass figure, screen siren presence and curly blonde locks. She often personified the ‘dumb blonde’ but this only served to earn her movie star status and a place in our hair hall of fame. She mostly wore her short cut in curls, but we’ve never tired of them. Hey, they even made us want to reach for the peroxide.






5. Brigitte Bardot
Once described as the ‘Princess of Pout’ by Time magazine, this French ballet dancer-turned actress-turned animal rights activist is now the definition of bombshell. Her model looks and curvaceous figure are envious, but it’s her flowing blonde hair which has earned her a style crown. Rivalled only by the art of today’s extensions, Bardot’s hairstyle and iconic sultry up-do are on many a girl’s wishlist…and Oxford Street Topshop’s blow dry salon menu.

                                                                            





6. Rita Hayworth
Star of Gilda, and the Fortie’s first sex symbol, Rita makes it into number six for earning redheads their glamour status. A top musical star in her own right, we heart how Rita’s vintage elegance is reflected in girls even today. She transformed her look from a jet black bob, to ravishing red, and it only did her career favours. She did dye her hair blonde for a film in 1947, but by this time her fans had fallen in love with her previous locks. Medium-length hair has never looked so gorgeous in our eyes. Straight, wavy, or up – she’s a sure pin-up.





7. Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth – the actress and heartbreaker, is another one of our hairstyle crushes. Her stunning film shots show a curly bob not dissimilar from Marilyn’s, but reinvented for each flick with a modern touch. The dark chocolate hue never changed, and it was her clever accessorizing – a hint of a chandelier diamond earring – and her classic beauty tips – a slick of red lipstick – which makes her iconic in our eyes.

 




8. Grace Kelly
Grace, our favourite princess and filmstar, knew how to do style more than most of today’s celebs and royals. Her classic look consisting of well-cut prom dresses, shifts, low heels and gloves, sparked a trend that’s alive today on QueensOfVintage and in many a vintage boutique. Her hair, a chignon slicked-back crop, was always the definition of perfection. As a blonde she was never cast as dumb, but as everything she represented – royalty.

9. Twiggy

The slick androgynous crop of Sixties starlet Twiggy is just as iconic today as it was forty years ago. The British model, who was famous for her long lashes, large eyes and slim build, was probably one of the most famous models of all time. Her long bob with sideburn-like sweeps was often tucked behind her ears making her look even more adorable. That shade of blonde was iconic in itself, the ash tone and subtle roots have been copied today on many a catwalk and movie star or songstress.









10. Farah Fawcett
Farah may not be our typical style icon, but as much as we love our 70s stack heel and kick flare jeans, Farah’s flicks too hold a place in our style chart. As iconic as her role in Seventies series Charlie’s Angel, her flyaway blonde mop was as powerful a symbol as her Angel pose. Framing her face yet oozing sex appeal, this classic hippie look will always be one of our ultimate treasures from the Seventies era.