Fifties rockabilly style wasn't complete without pompadour hair. Pelvic-thrusting performers such as Little Richard and Elvis Presley sported the 'do on stage, while big screen bad boy James Dean wooed the ladies with his slicked-up short hair.
Even though the pompadour's roots can be traced back to the mid-1700s to its namesake Madame de Pompadour, the mistress to King Louis XV, modern-day iterations maintain that '50s edge. From the spiky flair of the cut to the classic shape of the quiff, the rock 'n roll essence is still strong.
But one thing we're certainly glad to see change is the overuse of hair wax and pomade styling products that often made the pompadour too greasy or too shiny. (Thank the hair gods for touchable extra firm hairspray!)
Below are 17 of the most memorable pompadour hairstyles since the 1950s. Would you wear this look?
Elvis Presley, circa 1950
James Dean, circa 1955
Little Richard, circa 1957
John Travolta, circa 1978
Rick Astley, circa 1988
Janelle Monae, 2009
Rihanna, 2010
Bruno Mars, 2010
Zac Efron, 2010
David Beckham, 2012
Alicia Keys, 2012
Miguel, 2012
Miley Cyrus, 2012
Pink, 2012
Tilda Swinton, 2013
Demi Lovato, 2013
Adam Lambert, 2013
More retro looks we can't get enough of:
Vintage Fashion Moments
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