Bangs can be polarizing. This hairstyle is a love-hate part of the beauty world. This is mainly because of the risk factor associated with it - since you're cutting off strands that frame and define your face, one wrong cut can ruin the entire look. While it's easy to associate fringed hairstyles with impulsive decisions or French bombshells, bangs actually have a rich history.
According to historical pop culture depictions, Joan of Arc and Cleopatra are often depicted as the original precursors to bangs. Although there isn't any concrete evidence, this hairstyle has certainly been around for at least 100 years, and popular styles change with each passing decade.
In the early 1900s, there were one or two defining bang styles, with little experimentation outside of mainstream trends. Compared to now, all is fair - that is, while people aren't limited to one specific style, there are still some dominant looks. So far, modern bangs seem to be a revival of the 1960s curtain bangs. However, the mainstream aesthetic has changed over the decades—everything from "big bangs" to more effortless feathered bangs.
Whether you're shopping for your next salon trip or doing some simple historical research, here's 100 years of bangs history.
1920s: Straight bangs
The Roaring '20s were the modern era, "famous for the emergence of straight bangs and bob hair," Diana Hylton, an educator at hair care brand Covet & Mane, tells Bustle. This decade's trendy bangs match the popular bob style: a clean cut.
1930s: wispy curly hair
As the 1930s progressed, the edges became softer. "In the 1930s, we started to see pretty flimsy curly bangs," says Hylton, which contrasted with the popular styles of the previous decade. "[Bangs] are either very short or to one side," she added, referring to stars like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.
1940s: Bumper Bangs
The 1940s were defined by leading ladies such as Lucille Ball and Katharine Hepburn. According to Hilton, the style of bangs at the time was a combination of "curls and bangs." These manes are highly stylized and have a lot of volume but very little movement.
1950s: Baby Bangs
Later, bangs became shorter: "Baby bangs were the thing in the 1950s," says Hylton. This hairstyle features short, even bangs that sit an inch above the eyebrows. Think screen actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor or iconic pin-up model Bettie Page.
1960s: Curtain Tassels
The 1960s gave birth to today's most popular style: curtain bangs. "Curtain bangs were big in the '60s and are making a comeback," says Hylton. As the name suggests, fringes are long, easy-to-shape strands that can be lightly brushed onto a slide to look like curtains fixed at the back. In addition to Brigitte Bardot, who has always represented this style, Dianna Ross and the Supremes also rocked this look, as did Anna Karina.
1970s: Feathered Bangs
According to Hylton, Farrah Fawcett's "feather fringe set the tone for the '70s." She explained that the voluminous look was made famous by the actor for her role in "Charlie's Angels," and has also been worn by other stars such as Tina Turner and Chaka Khan. This hairstyle has made a comeback thanks to TikTok users
1980s: Big Bangs
In the 1980s, everything hair-related was about volume. Hilton said that in terms of bangs of the era, that meant legendary tousled bangs. The fringed look is the perfect complement to the curly hair that dominated the '80s, as seen on big '10s stars like Madonna and Michelle Pfeiffer.
1990s: side-swept bangs
In the 1990s, Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel" clip became popular. Although this is a very specific look, the overall bangs trend of this decade is defined by similar side-swept strands. The clothes have been worn by the likes of Liv Tyler and Cameron Diaz.
2000s: Precision-cut bangs
In the 2000s, a new style of bangs debuted, which Hylton describes as "straightforward, precisely cut bangs." The hair is cut straight, every strand aligned and styled to perfection. Stars like Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum have strutted their stuff on the red carpet in this look.
2010s: Eyelashes and bangs
Hylton says the 2010s brought "thick, eyelash-length bangs." Although it's difficult to pinpoint the exact connection of the wound, it's likely related to Kate Moss, who was infamous for cutting herself with a pair of kitchen scissors. Generally speaking, this style is defined by "full fringe with soft edges and added texture," says Hylton.
2020s: Curtain Bangs
Hylton says mullet bangs and baby bangs are strong contenders for this decade's hottest hairstyles, but curtain bangs are by far the most popular and popular. If you want to try out your own curtain bangs, there's no shortage of celebrity inspiration: everyone from Yara Shahidi to Elizabeth Olsen and Billie Eilish Love this look.
