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Mullet

The mullet is a hairstyle with shorter hair at the front, top, and sides, and longer hair at the back.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The mullet is a hairstyle characterized by shorter hair at the front, top, and sides, and longer hair at the back. It became especially associated with 1970s and 1980s popular culture, and has seen renewed interest in modern, more textured or faded versions. The style is part of broader North American fashion and pop-culture history, and has also been associated with Canadian hockey and retro-style trends.

Definition

A mullet is a haircut in which the hair is kept shorter at the front, top, and sides, while the back is left longer. The style is known for its clear length contrast and silhouette.

History and popularity

The mullet became strongly associated with 1970s and 1980s pop culture, music, and celebrity style. It later fell out of mainstream fashion before returning in updated forms.

Modern variations

Contemporary mullets often soften the traditional look with layers, texture, fades, and tapers. These changes make the haircut more wearable while keeping the longer back section.

Styling

Styling a mullet usually means emphasizing shape and texture on top while maintaining the length and movement in the back. Modern versions are often styled with volume, texture, and cleaner sides.

Key facts

  • The mullet is defined by a strong contrast in length between the front/sides and the back.
  • It is commonly described as “business in the front, party in the back.”
  • The style became widely associated with 1980s pop culture and fashion.
  • Modern mullets often use layers, texture, fades, or tapers to make the cut look more intentional.
  • The name is often linked to the Beastie Boys’ 1994 song “Mullet Head,” though the haircut predates that usage.
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Canadian context

The mullet is part of broader North American fashion and pop-culture history, and the haircut has also been associated with Canadian hockey and retro-style trends in popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mullet?
A mullet is a hairstyle that is shorter at the front, top, and sides, but longer at the back.
Why is it called a mullet?
The haircut’s name is often linked to the Beastie Boys’ 1994 song “Mullet Head,” which helped popularize the term.
How to style a mullet?
Style a mullet by adding texture or volume on top, keeping the sides neat, and leaving the back longer and movable; modern versions often use fades or layers.
What does a mullet look like?
It typically has short or shorter hair on the front, top, and sides, with noticeably longer hair at the back.
Is the mullet back in style?
Yes. Multiple recent style guides describe the mullet as making a comeback in modern, updated forms.
Mullet haircut for men
For men, the mullet is usually described as a bold cut with short sides and a longer back, often worn with texture, fades, or layers for a modern look.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullet_(haircut)
    Supports: Basic definition: shorter front, top, and sides with longer back.
  2. John Frieda — https://www.johnfrieda.com/en-uk/blog/hairstyles/guide-to-mullets/
    Supports: Traditional and modern descriptions of mullet structure and styling.
  3. HairTerms — https://hairterms.com/haircut/types/mullet/
    Supports: Definition of the mullet and modern layered/ ტექստured variations.
  4. Esquire — https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/a36277783/modern-mullet-hairstyle/
    Supports: Modern styling guidance and the long-back, short-front definition.
  5. Men's Health UK — https://www.menshealth.com/uk/style/grooming/a64127939/mullet-haircuts/
    Supports: Modern mullet description, styling, and name origin discussion.
  6. Men's Health UK — https://www.menshealth.com/uk/style/grooming/a32385557/mullet-haircut/
    Supports: How-to-cut/styling guidance and Beastie Boys name-popularization note.
  7. Barbertainer — https://www.barbertainer.com/what-is-a-mullet-haircut/
    Supports: Retro-to-modern comeback and descriptive definition.
  8. Wahl USA — https://www.wahlusa.com/how-to/haircutting/mens-haircuts/mullet
    Supports: Men’s mullet styling/cutting context and contemporary resurgence.