'90s Hair Trends Older Women Can (& Should) Still Rock

When it came to '90 hair trends, there seemed to be endless options. While the 1980s stuck to lots of big layers, bigger bangs, and heavy doses of Aqua Net to keep it all in place, by the time the '90s rolled around there were more variations in hairstyles. From The Rachel, made famous by Jennifer Aniston on "Friends," to Winona Ryder's sleek pixie, to the shag, as influenced by the grunge music scene at the time — if you played your cards right, you have could have rocked all these looks and more by the time the 1990s came to a close.

What's so great about the majority of these '90s hair trends is that not only do they still work today, but are fantastic styles for older women. As we get older, our hair texture changes, becoming finer and thinner due to hormones and other contributing factors like a decline in sebum production, the body's natural oils, and reduced melanin. Because of this, we need to learn to adapt to our new locks and embrace haircuts and styles we may not have considered when we were younger — which can actually be an exciting new chapter in our personal hair evolution.

If you're a fan of '90s trends and want to lean into that era as an older woman, you have plenty of choices. While you might want to skip the magenta, instead going for one of the best hair colors for older women, there's still a lot of fun to be had. Especially once you add hair accessories to the equation.

For older women who want to keep some length, you can't go wrong with a mid-length layered cut that's been blown out. "A bouncy blowout adds movement, body, and bounce, creating a fresh, youthful appearance," Jewell Hingorani, professional hairstylist and founder of Jewell Clip luxury hair extensions exclusively tells Glam. "The layers help prevent the hair from looking heavy or flat, while the blowout gives lift at the roots and soft volume throughout the lengths."

As Hingorani explains, the mid-length layered blowout is timeless. It's a style that perfectly frames the face, something that becomes essential for older women as their facial features change with time and might benefit from a bit of softening. With a mid-length layered blowout, you also get the benefit of your hair looking fuller and healthier, both of which are bonuses, as individual hair strands don't just become finer, but you have less of them coming in at the scalp.

As much as the right '90s hair trend can do wonders for your look, you also want to consider the haircare tips that every woman over 60 needs to know. For starters, you need to update your hair products, from your shampoo and conditioner to your mousses and hair gels, to meet your hair's evolving needs. You also want to pay even greater attention to your diet, making sure you're getting all the nutrients that your hair requires at this stage in the game.

As someone who just might be the longest running wearer of the classic bob with bangs and who's also at the helm of all things fashion-related, Anna Wintour knows what's up when it comes to trends and style. Although she's had her famous bob since she was 15, Wintour proves that the '90s bob trend is just as relevant today, and that it's a look older women should absolutely rock. In fact, the classic bob is just one of the bob styles that look great on older women, if you're looking to break from tradition and spice things up.

"A classic bob with bangs is another favorite because it is chic, sophisticated, and easy to maintain," Jewell Hingorani tells Glam in our exclusive chat, adding that the bangs can be an asset for those who are experiencing a receding hairline or thinning around the face. "They also help draw attention to the eyes and can subtly soften the appearance of deeper forehead lines and wrinkles," she says. As Hingorani explains, the shape of the bob is an enduring silhouette that's the epitome of elegance, no matter if you're 25 or 85. It also looks just as stylish and en vogue now as it did in 1995 and 1925.

In the 1990s, Winona Ryder was the queen of the pixie cut. Although Winona Ryder's stunning hair transformation has taken her in other directions, it's her pixie that no one will forget. "Much like the bob, the short pixie was a key part of the culture during that time, with celebs like Winona Ryder and Halle Berry standing out from the rest and becoming known for their short hair," Eugene Smith, senior stylist at John Frieda salons, told Stylist in May 2025, adding that the resurgence of '90s nostalgia is making the pixie trendy again. This is great news for older women, because when it comes to a game-changing haircut for women over 60, the pixie cut is a clear winner. 

Not only is the pixie forever chic, no matter your age, but it perfectly complements the texture of mature hair by making it look thicker. "With the right shape, a pixie can give the illusion of more fullness and can even subtly contour the face," Marcos Verissimo, hairstylist and founder of The Six Mayfair hair salon, told Harper's Bazaar in July 2025. A pixie cut also comes with a renewed sense of self and greater confidence, especially if it's your first time going short. As a cut that continues to defy traditional gender norms, the pixie is a statement-making choice, for sure.

Although some hair accessory trends of the 1990s were a bit childish — like plastic barrettes in baby pink and canary yellow — others can still work for older women. "Claw clips, butterfly clips, and playful accessories all helped cement the '90s aesthetic," celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps told Byrdie in January 2026. "Chunky headbands and scrunchies add both style and personality." For example, a claw clip is an easy way to put up your mid-length layered blowout on a hot day, and those wide headbands of the 1990s can elevate a pixie or classic bob. There's also, of course, the '90s hair accessory that everyone wore and it's time it made a comeback: the tortoiseshell headband.

"Padded or embellished headbands can add volume and a youthful touch, while sleek claw clips or tortoiseshell barrettes work well for everyday wear," hairstylist Adem Oygur told Good Housekeeping in January 2025. "Silk scrunchies are also a great option — they're gentle on the hair and add a touch of refinement without looking too casual." In other words, no matter your age, you can indulge in the hair accessories of the 1990s and know you'll look absolutely fabulous doing so.