The Messy Mullet is Trending With Fresh Style Inspiration

The messy mullet is a modern reinterpretation of a classic 80s style characterized by shorter hair on top and sides, with longer layers cascading down the back. It’s intentionally unkempt and rugged, offering a carefree, rebellious look that perfectly encapsulates today’s urban stylistic sensibilities. This hairstyle suits those with wavy or straight hair and thrives on a well-textured finish, best achieved with a light styling cream or texturizing spray. Unlike the more structured mullet of yesteryear, the messy version provides more volume and movement. Its cultural resurgence connects to the current trend of blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary cool, popularized by musicians and fashion-forward celebrities.

Best For

Oval or heart-shaped faces with medium to thick hair textures benefit most from this style’s versatility and volume.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a uniform taper on the sides, ensuring they retain about an inch. Emphasize texture on top, with six inches of length remaining in the back.

Products That Work Well

A sea salt spray followed by a matte paste will enhance natural volume while maintaining a relaxed, tousled look. Avoid heavy gels.

Messy Mullet with Tapered Sides

The messy mullet with tapered sides maintains the iconic long and layered back while incorporating a sleek taper on the sides to add a touch of sophistication. This versatile combo is ideal for professionals who want to mix business with edgy style. Longer top layers allow for a bedhead aesthetic, offering casual, low-maintenance grooming. It’s a great look for anyone longing for the mullet vibe without committing fully to volume around the ears. Cultural significance is notable as it reflects a shift towards embracing retro styles with professionalism. Tapered fades ensure a clean look that can easily transition from day to night.

Best For

Square faces with straight hair can greatly enhance their jawline while keeping forehead proportions balanced.

What to Tell Your Barber

Specify a gradual taper starting around the temples with lengthier locks at the back, maintaining flow towards the neckline.

How to Maintain It

Monthly touch-ups are essential to keep the taper sharp and the mullet’s characteristic shape intact.

Messy Mullet with Shaved Sides

The messy mullet with shaved sides amps up the classic design with striking contrasts between the length at the back and the shaved sides. This variation offers a bold expression of individuality popular among musicians and trendsetters. The hairstyle benefits from the juxtaposition of neat, shaved areas with the tousled, abundant back. This style embodies the spirit of non-conformity, perfect for someone wanting to make an attention-catching statement. The extension of hair at the back retains the key mullet identity while giving space for creative shaving designs or patterns at the sides.

Best For

Round faces with thick, straight hair texture can gain prominence and edge due to the removal of side bulk.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid shaving the sides too high, which can distort the overall balance of this style.

Products That Work Well

A strong-hold mousse can add volume at the crown, perfect for counteracting the sleekness of the shaved areas.

Textured Messy Mullet

The textured messy mullet is a versatile take on the mullet with added depth and movement through deliberate texturing. Ideal for those seeking a playful, laid-back appearance, this hairstyle thrives on the interplay between its structured length and light-filled waves. By using texture to break monotony, this cut encourages variability in styling, fully embracing the trend of natural-looking, contemporary urban chic. Often seen on younger celebrities and artists, it reflects a relaxed yet styled persona. This hairstyle fits seamlessly into active lifestyles as it transitions naturally from work to weekend jaunts.

Best For

Ideal for diamond or oval faces with naturally wavy hair, enhancing both facial structure and natural texture.

How to Make It Your Own

Experiment with scrunching techniques or finger twists when drying for more pronounced waves.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid using heavy products that weigh down hair, preventing the natural waves and texture from flourishing.

Messy Mullet with Fringe

The messy mullet with fringe incorporates trendy bangs that frame the face, adding dimension and intrigue to the classic back-heavy mullet. Perfect for those wanting to add more interest and layers to their mullet, this option strikes the perfect balance between effortlessness and craft. A fringe complements the shaggy cut, adding character by creating face-defining elements. This style works across diverse settings, from casual outings to formal events, due to its inherent adaptability. It’s becoming increasingly popular among the fashion-forward, due to its versatile ability to flatter a variety of face shapes while staying within the retro-modern framework.

Best For

Suited to heart or rectangular faces with straight or wavy hair, offering soft semblances that contrast angular features.

How to Maintain It

Regular trims every four weeks keep the fringe defined while maintaining an even flow with the back.

Products That Work Well

A light volume spray upholds lift at the roots without compromising the fringe’s natural crown fall.

Sleek Messy Mullet

The sleek messy mullet stands out by offering a slightly polished version of the quintessentially rugged style. Maintaining the mullet’s classic long back, with subtle layering, it presents a refined top for an overall neater look. This style is an excellent choice for those drawn to statement hairdos but within professional contexts. Its versatility shines as it smoothly transitions from the office to nights out, maintaining an air of chicness without losing the mullet’s inherent essence. Popularized by influencers who seamlessly blend laid-back styling with sophisticated undercurrents, it’s the perfect juxtaposition of formality and casualness.

Best For

Round or oval faces with thick, straight hair for improved silhouette and frame elongation.

How to Make It Your Own

Play with side part variations to discover what complements personal features while keeping top sleekness intact.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request minimal layering atop, focusing on a gradual transition towards the back’s length to highlight sleek transitions.

Curly Messy Mullet

The curly messy mullet takes the undone charm of curls and combines it with the edgy structure of the mullet, resulting in a playful mix of style and attitude. This hairstyle is emblematic of confident self-expression. Curls add volume and vivacity, accentuating the mullet’s long back for an effortlessly cool, dramatically textured appearance. This cut demands little upkeep, thriving on inherent curl patterns and encouraging spontaneity in styling. Seen prominently in fashion circles celebrating authenticity and quirk, this variation holds cultural resonance as it aligns with self-acceptance and individuality in grooming.

Best For

Oval or square faces with natural curls provide substantial volume and ensure curls remain lush while back length preserves the mullet flair.

Products That Work Well

A curl cream and diffuser combination can help control frizz while showing off natural curl patterns in full flair.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid thinning shears on the crown area as it can disrupt natural curls and affect the voluminous aesthetic.

Messy Mullet with Fade

The messy mullet with fade introduces a modern twist to the mullet’s legacy, pairing long back tresses with a sharp fade. This contrast ensures that the hair remains edgy while incorporating neatness synonymous with fades. As it transitions smoothly into the business casual realm, this hairstyle adapts seamlessly to whatever the day demands. With distinct demarcations offering depth, it appeals to individuals mastering both aesthetic boldness and subtle sophistication. Popular within sports circles and creative industries, its accessible upkeep and versatile appeal have cemented its place in modern men’s grooming.

Best For

Heart-shaped or oblong faces with fine to medium hair textures benefit most due to this style’s structural enhancement capabilities.

What to Tell Your Barber

Detail a medium skin fade on the sides, ensuring the transition to a voluminous, layered back is seamless.

How to Maintain It

Visit every three to four weeks for fade upkeep, ensuring the fade-to-mullet transition retains contemporary sharpness.

The messy mullet stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of men’s fashion, where versatility and boldness converge. This style, once known for its rebellious roots, has transformed into a contemporary masterpiece that embraces individuality. Its textured layers and effortless charm cater to a wide array of tastes, allowing for a personalized expression of style that feels both classic and innovative. The resurgence of the mullet highlights an appreciation for well-crafted yet carefree styles, fitting seamlessly into the varied lexicon of modern grooming.

Today’s messy mullet is more than a nod to its storied past; it is a powerful symbol of transformation and freedom. By blending past influences with present sensibilities, this hairstyle mirrors the dynamic nature of male fashion. Its adaptability to different environments enhances its relevance across a spectrum of occasions, showcasing that true style is timeless and continually reborn. As trends ebb and flow, the messy mullet remains a staple in the chronicles of sartorial exploration.

Every model and hairstyle you see here is an original AI creation—art-directed by our editorial team to capture the exact texture, shape, and finish of each style. While these aren’t real people, each is a made-to-measure visual crafted to feel authentic to the cut and true to the inspiration behind it.