The Evolution of the Mullet

Welcome to iVillage.co.uk! Sign in or Join our Community Want more iVillage? Sign up for our NEWSLETTERS

Search iVillage Search SHOP VIDEOS MESSAGE BOARDS COMPETITIONS BLOGS

PREGNANCY BEAUTY DIET HOME WORK FOOD PARENTING HOROSCOPES RELATIONSHIPS HEALTH ENTERTAINMENT TRAVEL COMMUNITY

IVILLAGEUK // ENTERTAINMENT // CELEBRITY FOLLOW US From Bowie to Rihanna: The evolution of the mu llet

BY LISA COWAN - 25 SEPTEMBER 2013

The dictionary definition of the term ‘mullet’ goes something like this: ‘A men's hairstyle, popular in the 1980s, in which the hair on top and at the sides of the head is short and the hair at the back is long.’

What they forgot to mention was how a mullet can offend those of a delicate eye disposition at 30 paces. Regardless of this minor downside, the hairstyle that we were convinced was thankfully lost to hair history is now enjoying something of a revival. *sob*

Made famous in the '70s, '80s and '90s by people like Michael Bolton, Rod Stewart and our very own Pat Sharp, the intriguing and, quite frankly, horribly unflattering style is once again high on the hair agenda. It's sweeping not only the heads of our favourite stars but also popping up on the covers of our favourite glossies.

Let's review the evidence:

Rihanna first started sporting the style at the end of August. Is she responsible for the mullet’s reincarnation? Pretty much single-handedly, we’d say.

Raymond Hall/FilmMagic

But RiRi is not alone on the 'business in the front, party in the back' train. Not one, but two glossies show mullet- wearing stars on their October covers, and we're not talking obscure titles or unheard of cover stars: Sandra Bullock on US Vogue and model Daria Werbowy on Russian Vogue. (They might be of the fake variety, but the style is still being touted as 'in vogue'.)

Courtesy Vogue Model Edie Campbell is seen sporting the 'do in Marc Jacobs' latest A/W ads.

And Kate Moss and her fellow runway models donned choppy mullet wigs to complement the Mr Jacobs' runway show last season.

Really? Has the mullet graduated to lofty new heights of cool? We can see it on the streets of Hoxton, sure, but we're not convinced women across the UK will be signing up for the mullet in their droves. While we attempt to get our heads around that, celebrate its revival with our pick of the favourite mullets of all time. Some are surprisingly cool -- but most are just plain terrifying.

Rod Stewart: Forever Mullet

Chris Walter/WireImage

We loved Rod's hair style in the '70s, and we love it now. The years might have passed, but the mullet is still Rod's go-to 'do.

David Bowie: The Mullet King Labryinth

Cool rocker Mr B rocked the mullet crop to play the role of Jareth the Goblin King in the bizarre 1986 movie Labriynth. It still haunts us.

Kiefer Sutherland: The Lost Mullet The Lost Boys

One of our favourite movies and one of our favourite actors. As bad boy David in 1987's The Lost Boys, Kiefer's hair actually quite suits him.

Juliette Lewis: Natural Born Mullet Natural Born Killers

As Mallory in the 1994 cult-classic film Natural Born Killers, Juliette's mullet 'do simply added to the fear factor.

Mario Lopez: Saved By the Mullet Courtesy NBC

Apart from his impressive torso and cute dimples, AC Slater's mullet was a big part of his, er, charm on the hit '90s TV show Saved by the Bell.

Michael Bolton: When a Man Loves a Mullet Getty Images

The US crooner was almost as famous in the '90s for his mane of golden locks as he was for his chort-topping hits. Until he cut it all off, of course. Here he is in his prime in 1995. It does not get the thumbs up from us, Mike.

Scarlett Johansson: Mullet Over Getty Images

Heck, even a beauty like Scar-Jo can't pull this look off. Turns out 2003 was not a happy hair year.

Kristen Stewart: Runaway Mullet Courtesy River Road Entertainment

We have to say that K-Stew looked pretty hip with a mullet for her role as Joan Jett in The Runaways in 2010.

Kate Moss: High-Fashion Mullet Courtesy Vogue

Channelling David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona on the cover of French Vogue in 2011, Kate just about pulls it off.

So, are you reaching for the scissors?

Lisa Cowan is a London-based freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter. See also:

10 autumn hairstyles that look gorgeous on anyone 6 movie hairstyles we'd love to copy

IMAGE CREDITS:SAMIR HUSSEIN/GETTY IMAGES, RELATED:MULLET HAIRSTYLE RIHANNA