The 8 best 70s-Inspired Hairstyles to Rock this Autumn

Free-flowing hair, blunt bangs, and disco curls - we’re still inspired by these epic rock chick hairstyles from wilder times. 

70s screen sirens Farrah Fawcett and Jerry Hall, singing sensations Diana Ross and Donna Summer - these legends are still impacting our style choices as we continue to dabble in the decades and rock their fierce, timeless looks.

So, grab your favourite VS Sassoon styler and come with us as we rewind to explore the 70’s inspired hair styles that are perfect to try this autumn.

1. Shag cut

Nothing screams "rock chick" louder than a 70s-inspired hair shag cut. The versatile shag haircut is a combination of long layers and a mullet rocked by the likes of Joan Jett and Jane Fonda back in the day. This bold, choppy 70’s inspired hair is insanely flattering and is a great way to add texture and volume to your hair that works worn ultra messy or seamlessly straight. 

Pulled off by modern-day stars, including Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus, a shag cut will add depth and major cool-girl vibes to any length or style, whether you have bangs, a centre part or bouncy curls. To maintain your own shag cut, dry your hair with the 5Q Brilliance High Performance Dryer and finish by giving it a once-over with the Straight & Curl Brilliance.

2. Boho braids

Cue the flower power. For the ultimate 70’s-inspired hair, you need to try a crown of braids. Whether worn as pigtails, across the forehead or as accent braids scattered throughout the hair, boho braids are definitely an enduring hairstyle of the 70s. 

For the ultimate 70s rock chick hairstyle, wear your hair straight with a middle part, then braid two thin pieces of hair on either side of your face. Wrap the braids around the top of your forehead, pinning the ends behind your ears. Voila! An instant hair crown. To achieve that sleek, ultra-straight look, use the Frizz Defense Salon Straightener.

If your hair is too short to pull off this style, don’t worry; pay homage to the ‘70s by working a few accent braids through your tresses instead. Add a few blooms, and you’ve got hair that’s totally flower powered.

3. Farrah Fawcett flip

So iconic it has its own name, ‘The Farrah’ was one of the most coveted examples of 70s inspired hair. The feathered, frothy mass of curls revolutionised the way women styled their tresses and has continued to inspire through the decades. The days of roller curls and endless cans of hairspray might be a thing of the past, but the Charlie’s Angels star’s big, bouncy mane has continued to set the trend for volume, bombshell curls and wispy layers. You can create this voluminous ‘do at home with a decent dryer and large barrel curler, curling the hair away from your face for a fun and sexy look that’s hard not to fall in love with!   

4. Blunt bangs

Pair a bob with brow-grazing bangs, and you’ve got legit 70’s inspired hair.  A match made in heaven for lobs, bobs and long haircuts alike, this razor-sharp fringe style is cut straight across, just above the brow, and works a treat on thick locks. 

Styling a blunt bang is best done when wet. Use your fingers or a small paddle brush and aim your dryer down from above, drying in the direction you want your fringe to sit. You can finish with a little serum to give your bangs more weight or run over with a straightener for a statement horizontal finish. If you have a natural wave, use a straightener to create a rounded shape instead of pulling down, then separate with your fingers.

5. Disco curls

Show-stopping bombshell curls made famous by ‘70s rock hairstyle female icons like Jerry Hall and Diana Ross are still giving us serious hair envy! For a modern take on these voluminous waves, section your hair, then use a 25mm barrel curler to create each curl. Apply a smoothing serum and run through the curls with your fingers to separate or use a brush to create even more volume for some serious dance-worthy disco waves. 

6. Long, sleek hair

One of the sleeker hairstyles of the 70s, ultra-long hair styled to sleek perfection is a vision bestowed upon us by ‘70s icon Cher and has since been brought into the 21st Century by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Demi Moore and Nicki Minaj. To achieve the effortless poker-straight locks reminiscent of this era, you’ll need long hair, a quality hair straightener, a centre part and some smoothing serum. You can give this simple ‘do a glam twist by adding a headband or go for gold and add drama with balayage or colour-dipped ends. Meant to look natural and chic, this classy style will never go out of fashion.

7. The feathered cut

Flirty, feminine, and just the right amount of chaos - feathered cuts bring that unmistakable 70s rock chick hairstyle energy. Often used to create volume in thin hair, this cut is super versatile and works on any type of hair, from straight to curly. Often paired with excessive layering, the feather cut naturally frames the face, and you can further play around with it by adding choppy bangs for a more contemporary look. The great thing about this cut is how easy it is to style. We recommend leaving it to air dry, then applying some texturising spray for a messy-chic finish.

8. Volume

If it’s not huge, is it even a proper rock chick hairstyle? 70s hair was all about monumental, gravity-defying volume. Backcombing, mousse, gigantic curls, and afros, big was beautiful and bigger was best.

The larger-than-life, head-turning trend has never really stopped inspiring us, with some of the biggest hairstyles spotted on the Fashion Week runway almost every year since. Whether you have a bob, natural curls or faux waves, you can make your hair go boom by tousling, teasing and backcombing those curls with a curler, bristle brush and your favourite mousse or spray.  

So there you have it, some of the best hairstyles to come out of the ‘70s decade that you can recreate yourself at home to keep your style sassy and fresh all season long. 

Shop blow dryers, stylers, and straighteners  for all your rock chick hair needs. 

Check out our blog for more hair health tips, seasonal styling inspo, and hair trends to help you look your best. Plus, learn about ceramic versus ionic technology for blow drying and all the science behind our high-tech range.

Love your style, from the VS Sassoon team.  X