Why the modern mullet isn’t just for rock stars and footballers
Business in the front, party in the back – the mullet has stood the test of time, and those in the know say the classic cut is still as stylish as ever.
Throughout the years, fashionable hairstyles have come and gone, but there is none more iconic than the mullet.
This playful haircut, characterised by a short front and sides with long hair at the back, has managed to maintain its popularity through the generations.
The origins of the mullet
Exactly when the mullet first emerged on the fashion scene is not known, with some evidence of the do tracing back to ancient civilisations.
But the hairstyle hit the scene in the 1970s, gaining prominence as a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity among rock stars and sport stars.
By the ’80s it was a mainstream style made popular by rock and roll and glam rock.
Fast forward to today and it is still very much on the scene, especially in the football world.
“The mullet stands the test of time because we keep evolving it,” Delilah Hair Studio founder Mr.D explains.
“It’s a haircut that represents a very daring sense of style, so people can use it to express something deeper about themselves.”
The evolution of the mullet
The essence of a mullet lies in its distinct combination of short and long hair, but there’s no doubt what is fashionable has changed through time.
From David Bowie to John Farnham
During the ’70s and ’80s, there was the spiked punk mullet made famous by musicians with the likes of David Bowie and Rod Stewart.
Mulletfest founder Laura Johnson says this paved the way for the classic mullet of the ’80s, defined by “very long hair at the back” – think ballad singer and music heart-throb Michael Bolton or, closer to home, John Farnham when You’re the Voice was released in 1986.
Making way for the Mohawk mullet
With the release of his hit song Achy Breaky Heart in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus became the new poster child for the mullet.
During the ’90s, the do evolved to take on a grunge vibe characterised by shaved heads and rat tails; or, alternatively, there was the edgy Mohawk for those who dared.
The modern mullet
Today this iconic do tends to have more consistent length throughout, with faded sides for a softer impact – a style made possible for many by the pandemic, Laura explains.
“Before Covid, there were the die-hard mullet wearers but during Covid, people were working from home and not going out, so that was people’s chance to give it a go and get through that awkward ‘guppy mullet’ stage without being seen very much,” she says, adding that now there are lots of different variations in terms of length, texture and colour.
“As long as you’ve got that delineation between the front and the back, that really obvious separation, anything goes.”
The latest mullet looks
According to Mr.D, the curly mullet is taking off.
“There is a misconception that people with Afro hair can’t have a mullet, but it’s a very versatile hairstyle that can be adapted to suit different hair types and lengths, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals,” he says.
“It allows for personal expression and can be customised to reflect one’s unique style.”
Then there’s the shag mullet, which has become popular among bold female icons – including Zendaya and Miley Cyrus, who have been leading the way for several years now.
Laura says the mullet cut will continue to surprise.
“It’s no longer just footballers and rock stars,” she says, explaining that the mullet is an adaptable hairstyle that is seen everywhere.
“We are seeing a lot more professionals adopting it, so it’s really hitting its fashion strides.”
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