There have always been fashion icons whose signature images are now considered timeless, including Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and many others.
Their hairstyles are now copied with slight modern updates for major events. Vintage hairstyles are combined with the most elegant evening gowns and expressive makeup to create the most classy and feminine looks.
Fashion is cyclical, so everything comes around. So why not look to the past for inspiration? They claim that everything that is best in the world was invented a long time ago. Anyway, the past can always provide us with brilliant concepts to work on.
Here are 30 fantastic vintage updos and downdos to inspire your hairstyle for a wedding, theme party, or other major event.
1. Multiple Blonde Buns
Go blonde and have some fun with big, chunky buns arranged all over. Roll your hair into a side bun in the front for vintage bangs, or dress up your vintage updo with bandanas or scarves for a day out. This style may require a few practice attempts, especially if your hair is extremely long and thick.
2. Curly and Romantic
Long, beautiful curls are always in style. To achieve a throwback look, part your hair in a sweep and secure half with bobby pins. Curly hair, whether dark or light, spiraled or rolled, looks great on any occasion and never goes out of style.
3. Shoulder Length Retro
The solid dark hair and bright red lipstick add to the beauty of this 1940s-inspired look. Vintage hairstyles were frequently worn with dark makeup and fair skin, as was customary at the time.
4. Curly Girl
Get Marilyn curls by coloring your hair platinum blonde and sweeping it to the side. This classic look can be achieved by sleeping in pin curls or cutting hair at an angle and using traditional rollers. Vintage hairstyles draw inspiration from a variety of sources, but Marilyn’s hair is truly the pinnacle of yesterday’s glam.
5. Pin Curled Beauty
Pin curls are necessary for vintage hairstyles to be accurate. This style is much simpler than it appears, and it can be beautifully embellished with a flower or a fancy clip.
6. Soft Updo with a Floral Hair Piece
Want something that looks good both from the front and the back? This lovely updo is just the thing. It tucks the hair away from the face around the perimeter, giving you a nice height above the brow, a lovely back view, and a neat look even if you go for a messy finish. The floral clip adds a lovely, whimsical touch.
7. Beehive with a Hairband
Vintage hairstyles are typically all about volume, sleekness, clips, or headbands. Her style is inspired by the 1960s, but it has a modern vibe due to the relaxed feel, the contrast of sleek and messy pieces, and the loose strands escaping the updo.
8. Pink Curly Updo with Leaf Headband
The muted purple pink dye job may not be a classic retro look, but it looks great with this curly updo. The way her hair has been pinned loosely is reminiscent of 1920s flapper styles. The pretty silver band adds to the atmosphere.
9. Straight Vintage Locks with a Bow
A proper throwback finish does not require complicated updos. Experiment with wearing your hair down. Teasing your crown and securing a cute scarf tied in a bow around your head will add an old-school feel. Don’t forget your red lipstick.
10. Low Blonde Bun with Jeweled Pins
Many of us have soft spots in our hearts for 20s hairstyles, despite the fact that there are many other gorgeous vintage hairstyles available. Her locks show why. The sleek look of the gold pieces twisted and braided into a low bun is irresistible! The jeweled clips add a delicate touch to the updo and some extra bling.
11. Retro Wave Updo with Pearl Hairclip
Just pause for a moment to admire the graceful wave. There is a softness to it, but there is also a very accurate shape. The key to recreating the look is to use a hairspray that provides enough hold without making the hair appear stiff.
12. Pin Curl Updo
There are numerous ways to rock curls. If your curls tend to drop when you wear your hair down, try an updo in which you pin them, creating pretty waves and lovely rosettes. Vintage pin curls are very popular, especially at weddings and special events.
13. Medium Copper Curls with an Orchid
If you’re getting inspiration from 50s hairstyles, make sure to experiment with accessories. This jumbo orchid perfectly complements the stunning copper locks. Not to mention that it looks great with the girl’s complexion, eye color, makeup, and blouse!
14. Defined Throwback Waves
This is a single, dynamic wave that holds your hairstyle together. The majority of modern hairstyles have been shattered, so this is something new, albeit old. Use a strong-hold hairspray to make your style last.
15. Pink Beehive Updo with a Band
A beehive is a retro style that has remained popular. It’s simple to do if you know how to backcomb and pin, and it makes a great canvas for hair accessories. If you have unusually colored hair, such as these bubble gum pink curls, try wearing an equally eye-catching headband. Her baby blue band stands out against her pastel mane.
16. Brunette Retro Curly Bob
Vintage haircuts are typically short and blunt, with minimal layering. However, a modern medium or even long cut can be transformed into a sophisticated vintage short ‘do, such as this bob for curly hair. It’s actually curled in this manner, so you can try it even if your hair isn’t naturally curly.
17. Vintage Pinup Hairstyle with Bandana
The way you style your bangs can make all the difference. When in doubt, try the Victory Roll. When it comes to achieving a vintage look, you can never go wrong with this style. She complemented hers with loose waves that curl at the ends and a black bow.
18. Enlarged Chignon with a Swirl
Look at the size of that chignon. It’s wonderfully full. A great idea for a sleek formal updo with long, thick hair and extensions. Small details like the swirl at the base of the chignon and the pinned side bangs add personality to the classic updo.
19. Long Defined Side-Parted Curls
Some people associate vintage hairdos with cropped locks, but there are many 50s hairstyles for long hair. This wavy hairstyle is proof of that. The deep side part and defined waves create a glamorous, nostalgic mood.
20. Black Retro Curls in a Loose Updo
This hairstyle has a lovely color subtlety to it. It slowly melts back to brown and blue. The way the different sections have been pinned adds to the effect. If you want something between a glamorous updo and a downdo with a retro feel, this is the best option!
21. Victory Roll Updo with Jeweled Clip
Whether you have long bangs or long layers, twist large sections of your front hair into symmetrical victory rolls. Pin your hair up into a horizontal chignon to balance it out in the back. Choose a sparkly clip for a standout accent.
22. Vintage Tight Curls Updo
Fans of 1950s hairstyles will be unable to resist this style. It has given retro bangs a new twist with face-framing pin curls that fall down the side of the head into a low side bun.
23. Retro Half Updo with Victory Rolls
A half-up hairstyle can be half vintage, half modern, half fancy, and half simple, as shown here. It’s a cute idea to make three victory rolls instead of one or two, and to highlight them with color and angle styling. We love it!
24. Bright Red Curls and Floral Clip
There are so many stunning elements here that it’s difficult to choose a favorite. The hot pink hair color is stunning, as is the peach flower placed just above the ear. Then there’s the rolled bangs and fluffy curls – so sweet and fancy!
25. Pink to Purple Ombre with Retro Curls
If you have a modern ombre hair color, you can incorporate retro elements to create a contemporary vintage hairstyle rather than just a replica of a retro look. Her 40s updo and vintage bangs bring back memories of bygone eras. The combination of pink and purple creates an ideal blend of old and new.
26. Natural Curls
Retro hairstyles are always popular for both themed parties and casual wear. If you have medium hair, try some shapely curls created with a simple round of hot rollers.
27. Sweet and Colorful
Pair retro hair with a pop of color. In this case, yellow was applied to the bottoms of the hair; a spray-in hair color is ideal for a temporary style like this. You can, of course, have your hair dyed in an ombre style or all over in a bright color for a stunning look you’ll love.
28. Bright Shades
Combine a throwback hairstyle with a modern color, such as bright burgundy or marsala. You can accomplish this with henna, a permanent box dye, or a professional salon visit. If you like to wear your hair with bangs, you’ll have more retro styling options.
29. Feathered and Fabulous
To achieve this look, pin hair under into a faux bob and finish with a vintage feather headband. This style will, of course, work with short hair and will require much less effort. You can make your own vintage hair bands by searching for how-to tutorials on the Internet, and you can also buy them at thrift stores or costume shops.
30. Formal Vintage
Brides of the past frequently adorned their hairstyles with diamond hairpieces and slicked curls back. Such styles are finished with pomade for a smooth, buttery texture.
