5 Men’s Hairstyles That Are Outdated

There was a time when certain men’s hairstyles could turn heads—sometimes, they still do, but for all the wrong reasons. With the New Year’s resolutions in full swing, it’s time to say goodbye to a few outdated hairstyles. And while you’re at it, ditch those low-quality hair products and start exploring professional, high-quality hair styling products for men.
Below, I’ll discuss five men's hairstyles that are seriously out of fashion if you want to maintain a modern and stylish look. But don’t worry—if you’re currently rocking one of these outdated styles, you’ll find plenty of useful links at the end to help upgrade your look.
1. The Side Swept
Just because Justin Bieber once made women's hearts race with this hairstyle doesn’t mean it will still have the same effect today. The Side Swept makes our list of outdated hairstyles because, let’s be honest—no one wants to look ten years younger just because of their haircut. Why choose a style that most people associate with their secondary school days?
Luckily, almost everyone has left this cringeworthy hairstyle behind, and we’d like to keep it that way. Especially if you’re not using any hair products, this is definitely not the look to go for if you want to stay on-trend.
2. The Mullet
From Billy Ray Cyrus to Brad Pitt, the mullet was an iconic hairstyle of the ’80s and ’90s. It’s certainly unforgettable—but is it still stylish today? Absolutely not. This isn’t exactly a trend we’re hoping to see make a full comeback.
This infamous hairstyle was popularised in the ’90s by The Beastie Boys with their song Mullet Head, making it a must-have look at the time. However, the classic ’80s and ’90s mullet is long gone—and that’s probably for the best.
That said, a more modern version of the mullet has been making a return. In this updated take, the hair at the back is shorter and styled backwards, rather than sticking up in an awkward curl.
3. Spiky hair
Almost everyone can remember the big yellow tub of hair gel from Boots or Superdrug, along with the hairstyles that came with it. And yes, that includes spiky hair. Whether you were a skater kid or the self-proclaimed coolest guy in school, spikes were once the ultimate hairstyle. That is—until the Millennium hit.
Fast forward two decades, and thankfully, this outdated men’s hairstyle is (hopefully) just a distant memory for you. Back in the day, you probably spent 15 minutes in front of the mirror carefully perfecting every spike before walking away feeling like a style icon.
Let’s leave this hairstyle where it belongs—in the early 2000s. With so many better haircuts and higher-quality styling products available today, there’s no reason to bring it back.
4. The Bowl Cut
Who doesn’t remember this one? The most practical haircut that anyone could maintain at home. All you needed was: a pair of scissors, a bowl, a bit of courage to cut your own hair, and—most importantly—absolutely no sense of style.
Maybe your mum subjected you to this look when you were younger, but let’s be honest—it was never a good look. In fact, it might just be the worst hairstyle on this entire list. A favourite among nerdy characters in American films, this haircut was infamous for all the wrong reasons.
So, do yourself a favour—leave the bowl in the kitchen where it belongs, and let’s move on from this cringeworthy ‘90s trend once and for all.
5. Bleached Blonde Look
The final outdated hairstyle on our list is the fully bleached look. While blonde highlights have made a comeback in recent years, we sincerely hope this all-over platinum blonde trend doesn’t return with the same enthusiasm. No, bleaching your entire head every few weeks doesn’t make you look like you’ve just come back from a sun-soaked holiday.
Just because Justin Timberlake once stole the show with it doesn’t mean it’s still trendy today. In fact, looking back at his old photos, his hair now reminds us more of a pack of instant noodles than a stylish haircut. So, let’s leave this frosted-tip disaster in the nostalgic memories of the ‘90s where it belongs.
Instead, blonde highlights are the modern way to go. Just make sure to avoid brassy yellow tones, as they’re far from flattering. If you’re still keen on lightening your hair, check out this blog post for some helpful tips!
So, What Are the Best Men’s Hairstyles?
We hope no one was too offended by our list of outdated hairstyles while reading this behind their screen. But if you do happen to have one of these styles and you’re feeling a bit self-conscious now—don’t worry! Our goal is to help you discover what works better.
Of course, don’t take it too seriously—the most important thing is to have a hairstyle that makes you feel good, whether it’s trendy or not.
To help you find your perfect look, here are some ideas:
- Do you prefer your hair styled forward, maybe a fringe hairstyle works for you. Or the other way, like a slicked-back hairstyle?
- Would you rather keep it short or go for a longer men's look?
- The undercut remains a popular choice, keeping the sides short while leaving more length on top.
For a detailed guide on modern men’s hairstyles, check out this blog post!
Conclusion
These were five hairstyles that, in my opinion, are best left in the past—and why put yourself through them when there are so many better options out there? To be fair, many of these styles come from my own youth, and yes, I, too, once rocked a gelled-up, spiky hairstyle. Back then, it was just the look.
Thankfully, times have changed, and you no longer have to walk around with an outdated hairstyle—unless you really want to, of course!
One final tip if you’re looking to upgrade your look: switch to matte styling products. Overly shiny hair hasn’t been trendy for years, and opting for a natural, matte finish is a great first step towards a more modern look.
And while you’re here, browse through the Moquer Blog for even more style inspiration!