'70s Haircuts & Styles That You Can Make Work In 2026

Once again, the style merry-go-round is doing another circuit, picking up trends from past eras and delivering them to our current-day doorsteps, inspiring us to breathe new life into a look from a bygone era. Right now, we're happily resuscitating haircuts from the 1970s and giving them a 2026 flavor.

The hottest current hair trends include strong looks from the disco decade, including eye-skimming bangs and androgynous pixies. But rather than exactly copying the looks that Cher, Jane Birkin, Diana Ross, and Farrah Fawcett famously donned, it's about channeling the vibe and tweaking it to work today, avoiding a dated or stale look. The beauty of a lot of these hairstyles and cuts is that they work well for a variety of ages, on different hair types, and can be as simple or transformational as you want. For example, you can easily channel one of these looks with an accessory that's probably already in your wardrobe, or you can go for a big transformation if that's what you're in the mood for.

Long Jane Birkin-esque bangs were an iconic look from the '70s that is still stylish today. If you know these tips for finding the bang style that will suit your face shape, you may already be aware that long bangs that hit just above the eye work particularly well on oval face shapes. Additionally,  they are great with diamond-, heart-, or square-shaped faces because they can soften strong facial angles. To update the look for 2026, ask your stylist for soft, feathered ends, rather than strong, blunt ones.

Hair in the 1970s differed from previous decades in that choppiness was in, like the advent of the shag cut. One of the reasons we love a '70s-inspired wavy pixie cut is that it works on all ages, hair colors, and a variety of hair textures, whether you have a subtle natural wave or more coily curls. It's a great way to add softness and movement to your hair as well. Having layers throughout a pixie will help give the pieciness that makes this look work. 

In the 1970s, women began embracing their natural curls like never before. The Afro became more widely seen and accessorized, with icons like Diana Ross adding flowers to their 'fros. In 2026, the Afro feels especially fresh if you give it an airy, ethereal feel. This means it must be stretched and not weighed down with heavy styling products, so strands shouldn't be bunched together too tightly. The center-parted style is particularly flattering as it frames the face beautifully.

You can thank Cher for popularizing super-long lengths in the '70s, and you can thank the multitude of celebs embracing waist-grazing lengths in the 2020s for making us all rethink how long we can go. Rapunzel-length strands are very flexible: They can be worn stick-straight or wavy, and you can wear them layered or all one length for a different vibe. What's more, they look equally great with bangs or without them. Truly versatile!

When it comes to trendy haircuts from the 1970s that got an updates in the 2020s, the mullet, the shag, and the feathered flip are three that immediately come to mind. The feathered flip has been reimagined for the 2026 as the butterfly. Here's what to ask for at the salon if you want to try a trendy butterfly haircut, including the cascading layers that give the hair abundant movement. For summer 2026, the butterfly bob is trending if you're after a shorter version.

In the '70s, women embraced center parts with two low ponytails or braids. The look was innocent and playful, and possibly inspired by the decade's icon Laura Ingalls, from "Little House on the Prairie." So how do you channel the look in '26 without looking too juvenile? Try an asymmetrical approach by pulling hair to the side with one low braid. It still has that boho-chic '70s vibe, but it feels sophisticated at the same time.

The curtain bang is the beauty equivalent of the flared pant: Iconic in the '70s and something that's still a staple today. And for good reason –- both are abundantly flattering. Though the curtain bang with long hair worn down has that retro, sexy vibe that's not going anywhere, wearing a curtain bang with an updo always feels particularly confident without trying too hard. The way the hair frames the face and puts the focus on the eyes won't ever go out of style.

Scarves have made a comeback in 2026 as a fashion accessory, and the latest '70s comeback trend is also all about accessorizing your hair, so headscarves are in. The beauty of this trend is that it's incredibly simple and doesn't require an appointment with a stylist. To make it 2026-worthy, embrace the maximalism trend by wearing a scarf with a bold pattern. If simplicity is the name of your beauty game, simply tie it in a ponytail or around your head, and voilà, you've instantly upped your style game.

Sleek styles are one of the hair trends that are woefully outdated in 2026. Big is in. Volume is the go. If you don't want to go long, go wide. Or, better yet, do both. Anyone with naturally full curls: This is your time to let them loose. And if you don't have them, but you love the look, some volumizing spray and a curling iron will help you get in the arena as well. This is the type of hair that should make you feel proud when it takes up some space in the room.