100 Years of Black Hair: Cut Revisits Iconic Men’s Hairstyles

The Fashionisto

/

Updated February 27, 2024

Black Men's HairstylesPin
100 Years of Beauty: Black Men’s Hairstyles

In celebration of black beauty, Cut.com looks back at 100 years of men’s hairstyles. Iconic black hairstyles take center stage in a fantastic video that takes its cues from influential people like Will Smith and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The feature’s highlighted black men’s hairstyles draw inspiration from iconic individuals of their respective decades. 

Lester Shaw takes over modeling duties, flaunting various hairstyles, including cornrows, an afro, and a flat top. Tasman Holloway, a hair stylist, is responsible for Lester’s remarkable transformations. / Styling by Malissa Martin. Makeup by Katya Gudaeva and Erin Roussell. Research by Chris Chan.

Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1910s to 2010s

Black Men's Hairstyles: 1910sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1910s-inspired hair look, complete with a felt bowler hat. Stylish hats were popular with men at the beginning of the twentieth-century and no fashionable look was complete without one. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1920sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1920s-inspired hair look channeling the jazz era. If you opt for a similar look today, don’t forget the hair gel. A dapper suit wouldn’t hurt, either. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1930sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1930s-inspired hairstyle featuring a side-part. This is a hairstyle you would have easily seen with the popular black vocal harmony groups of the day. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1940sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1940s inspired military look. World War II invades the conscious when recalling the ’40s, and for a good reason. According to Timeline, 11% of Americans fought in the war. For 1940s men’s hairstyles, black men often wore their hair naturally. This meant that the hair was allowed to grow and be styled uniquely. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1950sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1950s relaxed hairstyle. Forget about Elvis Presley. This throwback hairstyle brings to mind the music icon Little Richard. Relaxed hair definitely resonates with the search for 50s hairstyles for men.

The 1950s flat-top haircut was another popular style for black men. It was a very versatile hairstyle that could be styled in various ways. Some men wore it high and tight, while others opted for a more relaxed look. Regardless of the style, the flat-top haircut was always stylish and cool. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1960sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1960s militant hairstyle, complete with a beret. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPP) was established in October 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, and this hairdo is evocative of the BPP’s militant aesthetic.

In the 1960s, African American hairstyles for men ranged from the very simple to the more elaborate. The most popular style was the natural with neatly groomed short hair. Another popular style was the hi-top fade, in which the hair on top of the head is styled into a tall peak. For a more dramatic look, some men chose to wear their hair in dreadlocks or twists. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1970sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1970s-inspired afro hairstyle. American former professional basketball player Artis Gilmore mastered this look. However, the afro is still a great hairstyle option when thinking of ways to wear thick, natural hair. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1980sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1980s hairstyle inspired by artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The artist’s iconic locks continue to inspire today, with individuals like music mogul Jay Z paying homage. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 1990sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 1990s flattop hairstyle inspired by Will Smith and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. When people think of nineties black pop culture and hairstyles for men, Smith’s flattop is often one of the first things that come to mind. It was a key turning point for black hairstyles and looked great as a medium-length cut. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 2000sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 2000s cornrow hairstyle. This black men’s hairstyle was popular with a lot of entertainers ranging from D’Angelo to Ludacris and is the perfect way to style long hair. Photo: Cut.com
Black Men's Hairstyles: 2010sPin
Black Men’s Hairstyles: 2010s inspired hairstyle with fade. Regarding black haircuts for men, a fade is a style detail not to overlook. A modern fade can transform the most traditional of cuts. Photo: Cut.com

Black Hairstyles Research Video

Black Men’s Hair Today

Black men have always had a unique and powerful style that has spoken to their culture and experience. And while the traditional styles of the past are still popular, gen z hairstyle male trends embrace a more natural look. This involves letting the hair grow out in its natural texture rather than trying to force it into a particular style.

The crew-cut hairstyle is also popular amongst younger generations. This haircut is short on the sides and back, with hair left longer on top. It can be styled in various ways, including curly or braided. The crew cut is popular because it is low-maintenance and versatile.


Recent Updates

The Best French Crop Haircuts for Men in 2024

The Best French Crop Haircuts for Men in 2024

The French Crop haircut has surged in popularity among men, prized for its blend of minimalism and style. It features ...
John Mayer for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

John Mayer for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

John Mayer and Audemars Piguet have collaborated to create a special edition of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar that captivates ...
Burberry Summer 2024 Campaign Delivers Chic Modernity

Burberry Summer 2024 Campaign Delivers Chic Modernity

The Burberry summer 2024 campaign, captured by photographer Tyrone Lebon, presents a vision combining natural elegance and refined tailoring. The ...
Giorgio Armani Celestial Capsule: Elegance in Orbit

Giorgio Armani Celestial Capsule: Elegance in Orbit

Giorgio Armani's Celestial capsule for spring-summer 2024 evokes a tranquil, otherworldly charm. Models Thatcher Thornton and Rapha Keijzer embody the ...
Cornrow Braids for Men: Popular 2024 Styles to Explore

Cornrow Braids for Men: Popular 2024 Styles to Explore

Cornrow braids for men are a hairstyle that involves tight, close-to-the-scalp braids woven in straight lines or intricate patterns. This ...
Versace Spring 2024 Ad: A Bold Season with Fernando Lindez

Versace Spring 2024 Ad: A Bold Season with Fernando Lindez

Fernando Lindez, the charming Spanish model and actor, effortlessly captures the energy and appeal of the Versace spring-summer 2024 collection ...