1970s Hairstyles for Men: Feathered Layers and Shaggy Length Revisited

October 15, 2026•6 min read

The 1970s men’s hairstyles that still work today are the feathered cut, with layers swept back and away from the face, the shag, with choppy layers and length around the collar, and the longer, fuller sideburn that often went with both. What makes them wearable now is restraint: less volume, softer edges, sideburns kept tidy and a matte finish instead of lacquer. If your hair is straight or wavy and at least medium length, a modern 70s-inspired cut is very achievable. If it is short now, it is a growing project of several months, and the cut you start with matters more than the one you end with.

The main 70s looks, and what they were

Feathered hair

Feathered hair was cut in long layers, then blow-dried back from the face so each layer lifted and curved away, a little like overlapping feathers. It needs straight or gently wavy hair with some body, and it looks best at around ear to collar length. The 70s version was big and blow-dried into place; the current version has the same direction of movement but sits much flatter.

The shag

The shag was rougher: lots of short, choppy layers through the top and crown, longer pieces around the neck and ears, and a deliberately messy outline. It has come back under various names, and the wolf cut is its closest modern cousin.

Collar-length with a centre or side parting

Plenty of men simply wore their hair longer, parted and cut to the collar, with little layering. This is the easiest to translate today and suits men who want length without obvious styling.

Sideburns

Long, full sideburns, sometimes down to the jaw, were part of the look. A modern take keeps them to around mid-ear or slightly below, trimmed and even. If you want to go further, our piece on mutton chops covers the bigger version.

Perms and afros

Permed curls were common in the decade, as was the large, rounded afro. Perms are a chemical salon service rather than barbering, so they are outside what we do; a natural afro is a different matter and a good barber can shape one as it grows.

How the modern versions differ

Feature	Then	Now
Volume	Big, brushed and blow-dried	Natural, mostly air-dried or lightly dried
Layers	Long, uniform and sculpted	Softer, textured, a bit broken up
Finish	Shiny, often sprayed	Matte or natural
Sideburns	Long and wide	Mid-ear, neat
Neckline	Left long and full	Long but thinned so it does not bulk out

Who suits a 70s cut

Hair type. Straight and wavy hair suit feathering best. Wavy and loosely curly hair make a very good shag, because the layers show the movement.
Density. Medium to thick hair carries layers well. Fine or thinning hair can still work, but keep layers longer so the hair does not look sparse at the ends.
Face shape. Longer hair framing the face softens a strong jaw or a long face. If your face is very round, avoid too much width at the cheeks.
Lifestyle. These cuts need a few minutes most mornings and decent hair care. If you wash and go, the shag is the more forgiving of the two.

Growing into it from short hair

Most men reading this are starting from a short or medium cut, so the realistic route is gradual. Grow the top and back first while keeping the sides and around the ears tidy. Once the sides reach roughly the middle of the ear, stop cutting them short and let them catch up. Ask your barber to remove bulk rather than length at each visit so the growing shape stays even. Our guide to layered haircuts for men explains how layers change the way longer hair sits.

What to ask your barber

Every Highgate Cuts appointment starts with an assessment, where the barber looks at your hair and what you want before recommending an approach. A few clear points make that conversation useful:

Which of the looks you want: feathered, shag, or simply longer and parted.
Where you want the length to finish at the back: above the collar, touching it or over it.
How much texture you want on top: smooth and swept, or choppy and broken up.
What you want done with the sideburns.
How long you will spend styling it each morning.

A reference photo is always useful, ideally of someone with similar hair to yours. Our Highgate barbers will tell you honestly whether your hair will behave the same way.

Styling and care at home

Feathered: Blow-dry on medium heat, pushing the hair back and away from the face with your fingers. A light cream finishes it without stiffness.
Shag: Towel dry, add a little sea salt spray or texture spray, scrunch, and let it dry mostly on its own.
Both: Longer hair needs conditioner every wash and gentle detangling to keep the ends healthy.

Expect a trim every six to eight weeks to keep layers defined and the neckline from going heavy.

Making it work for the office

A 70s-inspired cut does not have to look like fancy dress at a board meeting. The trick is to keep one element of the decade and keep everything else current. Choose the movement of feathered layers but keep the length above the collar. Or keep the collar length but lose the volume and the shine. Sideburns kept neat and even, a clean neckline and a regular trim go a long way. On mornings when you need it smarter, a little cream pushed back from the face reads as considered rather than retro. If the barber suggests trimming more than you expected at the back, it is usually to stop the shape bulking out as it grows.

Questions we get asked

How long does my hair need to be for a 70s look?

For feathering or a shag, at least around ear length on top and sides, longer at the back. From a short cut that usually means several months of growing.

Will a 70s haircut work with thinning hair?

Sometimes. Longer, less choppy layers suit thinning hair better than a heavily textured shag. The barber’s assessment will tell you what is realistic.