A hairstyle can truly make or break a person’s signature look. From looking at someone’s hairdo, you can instantly tell a great deal about the wearer’s chosen style, their fashion inspiration, and much more.
Not only that, but hairstyles through the years have continued to evolve in the most fascinating ways—updating and innovating every year.
In fact, every year since 1950 has its own signature ‘do—and you’ll be amazed how many you recognized.
Which hairstyle was in vogue the year you were born? Read on to find out.
1950—Victory Rolls
Here we have Betty Grable modeling the signature hairdo of the year 1950, which was the style known as victory rolls.
This heavily styled rolls first came onto the scene during the 1940s, and became the go-to style for 1950. They were named after the fighter planes during WW2, as they would do loop-the-loop maneuvers as a victory symbol.
Image by Hollywood Photo Archive/Mediapunch/Shutterstock (9979842a)
In 1950, Grable starred in Hollywood hits Wabash Avenue and My Blue Heaven, and was officially the most successful female star at the box office that year. Victory, indeed!
1951—The Poodle Clip
Next up we have the lovely Lucille Ball showing us a perfect example of the poodle clip, the most popular hairstyle in 1951. This hairdo was sleek and straight on the sides, with a big curly bouffant bit on top, just like the popular dog breed it’s named after.
And Ball wasn't the only starlet to sport this style—she was in good company, with celebs such as Betty Grable, Peggy Garner, and Faye Emerson also rocking the ‘do.
Image by GTV Archive/Shutterstock (390893de)
1951 was of course also the year that Ball created the iconic sitcom I Love Lucy—cementing her place as a true Hollywood legend.
1952—Short Curls
1952 was the year of the short curls, modeled here by the iconic Marilyn Monroe. Monroe was a true style icon of the 50s, and she was the one who made this classic hairstyle so popular.
Even though Monroe is still regarded today as the quintessential blonde bombshell, did you know that in real life she was actually a brunette!
Image by 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock (5886072bo)
As well as changing the hair styling world forever, in 1952 Monroe was named the "best young box office personality" by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
1953—The Cap Cut
As we progress further into the 1950s, hairstyles get shorter and shorter. Changing times and fashions meant that women were becoming more adventurous and stepping away from what was regarded as traditional femininity.
1953 saw the advent of the “cap cut”. It was sort of the 50s’ version of a pixie cut, but with a bit more curls and waves added in to frame the face.
Image by Snap/Shutterstock (390852kz)
Here we see the iconic Elizabeth Taylor sporting the ‘do in a gorgeous promo shot.
1954—The Sabrina
1954 saw the release of the iconic and much loved movie Sabrina, starring Hollywood darling Audrey Hepburn as the titular character.
Hepburn is well known as one of the ultimate style icons of both the 50s and 60s, but it was her hairdo in this movie that took the world by storm that year.
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Dubbed simply “The Sabrina”, this hairstyle embodied the waifish and stylish chic that Hepburn came to embody during her glittering reign as the fashion princess of Hollywood.
1955—The Ponytail
Lucille Ball was one of the biggest and most influential Hollywood stars throughout the 50s, and so here she is again sporting the hairdo of the moment for 1955—the ponytail!
By 1955, I Love Lucy had become one of the most popular shows on TV, and Ball was well and truly the beloved sweetheart of American television.
Screenshot from "I Love Lucy"
And it was Ball’s style on this show—a chic and short ponytail tied with a bow—that popularized this hairdo across the nation.
