Vintage Hairstyles From The '30s & Beyond That Have Regained Popularity

Even as the beauty world progresses with new looks and never-been-done-before trends, there's still an underlying longing for the ways of the past. Hair instantly takes on a glamorous feel when embracing vintage styles, particularly when looking to the 1930s for inspiration. The post-Depression years lost the over-the-top opulence of the 1920s, trading in extravagant and dramatic silhouettes for softer and more romantic 'dos. This later became associated with the irresistible glamour of Old Hollywood. Even for those too young to remember the '30s, many of these hair looks have become the epitome of style once more. 

There were a few defining features that framed the hair scene of the 1930s: soft curls, often created with pins and brushed out, deep side parts, and short lengths. The trendiest hairstyles of the age had a natural allure, so even today they give the rest of a look an understated elegance without much heavy lifting. That said, wearing them exactly as style gurus did nearly a century ago might be taking the resurgence a bit too far. Instead, modern versions of these trends take inspiration from the original '30s cuts and styles, while adding contemporary detours that make them feel new again. These days, practicality, maintenance, and a carefree aesthetic are top priorities in the hair and makeup chair, so we're adapting many looks to make room for things like natural texture and styling ease. 

We've already embraced old-school fashion trends from the 1930s and beyond, and there are plenty of popular nail trends from the 1930s you should consider for your next manicure. Now, we're welcoming back the following throwback hairstyles with open arms. 

Unlike those classic hairstyles that could seamlessly fit into any era, finger waves have an inherently vintage feel. And yet this style, characterized by structured waves slicked to the side of the head, appears to have made a comeback today after its original tenure in the '20s and '30s. Notably, modern it-girls are wearing waves with pixies, which isn't too far from their vintage styling as part of the bob cut. "This style immediately tells a story," celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak told InStyle in 2025. "The sculpted softness of the S shape is so flattering, feminine, and (of course) classic."

Short hair reigned supreme in the 1930s, but women who wanted to keep their length instead opted for the faux bob, created either by pinning up their ends, or by curling their hair so it bounced up. It's the perfect trick for a low-commitment chop, so we aren't surprised that A-listers like Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber incorporated it into their 2026 styling. A noncommittal bob is easy when you have natural curls, but you could also try simply curling the ends of your hair so they sit around chin-length.

Hair dye wasn't quite as accessible in the 1930s, so a head of platinum blond curls instantly conveyed a sense of status and exclusivity. Movie stars like Jean Harlow were doing glamorous blond curls long before Marilyn Monroe in the '50s, and while platinum blond has risen and dropped in popularity since, this intense tone is becoming a staple again. The modern iteration is a little more dimensional, encompassing techniques like lowlights, undertones, and balayage. However, Old Hollywood-style platinum curls are still a fixture in Hollywood today, with stars like Megan Thee Stallion showing them off.

Pin curls were prominent in multiple decades of the 20th century, and were a mainstay in the late '30s. Stars like Bette Davis were all over this look, which involved creating defined curls through pinning sections of hair and then brushing them out. Surprisingly, the look is experiencing a revival in the 2020s. Global pop star Sabrina Carpenter famously wore this retro style to fashion's night of nights, the Met Gala, in 2026. These days, we have heat styling at our disposal, which you can use to complement and touch up this fiddly but distinct look.

We might associate side parts with the noughties, but you can't have 1930s hair without at least considering parting it on the side. The deep side part was the foundation of several looks, including the aforementioned finger waves. And since this was the era of short hair, one of the best ways to evoke the '30s is with the double whammy of a side-parted bob. We've seen deep side parts all over the bob scene in the 2020s, whether you're replicating vintage energy with a sleek silhouette or going for a more contemporary feathered vibe. 

Before dominating the 1970s, the pageboy was a '30s go-to, and a top pick for stars of the era like Anna May Wong and Greta Garbo. This style gets revamped frequently, but in its essence, it's a heavy rounded 'do known for tucking inwards around the chin. The cut was often side-parted, but Garbo in particular wore it with the straight bangs that later became associated with it. Despite its vintage feel, modern A-listers are totally on-board, with everyone from Bella Hadid to Margot Robbie sporting contemporary versions of the pageboy bob.

An updo starring a headband-style braid oozes the boho aesthetic, rising to prominence through Pinterest and Tumblr in the 2010s. But it was an in-demand look all the way back in the '30s, too, with role models of the time like Bette Davis making it look effortless. The French braid in particular is making the rounds today, though the desired look is a little more carefree than a Davis-style braided updo. For formal events, however, more structured updos — which may feature braids — are back in business. 

Beyond the sleek, side-parted bob of the 1930s, the decade also gave rise to curly bobs with much more volume. This was usually created with soft, brushed-out curls, which often led to a halo effect. If the chic bob styles that were trending in summer 2026 are anything to go by, the volumized bob is sought after again. Only this time, we tend to rely on waves, teasing, and a laid-back tousled effect to create that volume. 

You know how we feel about lobs: This is the perfect haircut for those that want in-between length. Although less common than its shorter counterpart in the 1930s, lobs were still a trend favored by the likes of "Gone with the Wind" star Vivien Leigh, who often wore hers with soft, voluminous brushed-out curls. Lobs of all kinds have been front and center in the 2020s, and you could definitely still get away with a '30s-style soft curl that starts a few inches from the roots. 

It may feel like we've only recently started to appreciated the beauty of curly bangs, but it-girls of the 1930s were way ahead of us. The style du jour was to tightly curl the fringe so it sat high on the forehead, almost like micro bangs. "While curly bangs are visually stunning, they're [also] a great way of embracing natural texture," hairstylist Devin Graciano told Allure in 2026, just as the style soared to the top of the charts once more. If you want to blend modern and vintage with this one, you can try rocking curtain bangs with curly hair.