by Marlin Bressi

Created on: December 04, 2008

Have you ever thumbed through an old high school yearbook, saw a picture of your hair from years ago and asked, "What was I thinking?" Do you wonder why your hairstyle looks so ridiculous but some of your classmates don't? The difference is because some hairstyles are classic and timeless, while others, trendy as they may seem at the time, are just passing fads that will embarrass you years down the road.

There are very few haircuts and styles that are truly timeless, yet chic. The first cut that comes to mind is, of course, the bob. First worn in 1915, and originally called the Castle Bob (after dancer and actress Irene Castle), the look revolutionized fashion in the Roaring Twenties and continues to be stylish to this very day. While there are many variations of this classic style, the classic bob is generally a short, blunt cut, usually chin-length. Fashion icons and movie stars like Coco Chanel and Louise Brooks furthered the bob's popularity in the 20's, but it wasn't until legendary hairstylist Vidal Sassoon re-interpreted the classic bob in 1963 that the look became a univeral hit.

Perhaps the greatest thing about the bob is that it can be worn a variety of ways, yet still retain its timeless quality. Originally a one-length cut, the bob can also be layered, worn with or without bangs, and can be worn both straight and curly. Today, a common variation is the angled bob, which is shorter in the back and gradually increases in length towards the chin. Those who prefer to be more chic can opt for the assymetrical bob, in which one side is noticeably longer than the other. This version, which originated in the 1960's, regained popularity when it was worn by former "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckham, and has since been commonly referred to as the Posh Bob or the Beckham Bob, even though Mrs. Beckham has since moved on to the pixie.

The pixie, which is an ultra-short style that is also timeless, first gained popularity in 1953 when it was worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film "Roman Holiday". Stars such as Halle Berry and Judy Dench have proven that the pixie is one classic style that transcends both race and age. The only limitation to this style is that it requires strong feminine features; otherwise, a woman runs the risk of being mistaken for a boy.

In the 1970's, thousands of American women ran to their hairdressers asking for the hairstyle worn by figure skater Dorothy Hamill. The "Wedge", as this style was called, still continues to be popular today because of its youthful appearance and simplicity. The wedge (still referred to as the "Dorothy Hamill" by older women) is essentially a version of the classic bob in which the front is shorter than the back, and the back is tapered (or "shingled", depending on your age). This cut, though a timeless classic, must be styled properly in order to avoid looking as though it came from 1973. To pull off this look today, a woman should wear their hair "messy" and texturized, rather than smooth and sleek.

Finally, the last truly timeless haircut is the shag. This style was worn by nearly everyone in the 70's, including David Bowie, Farrah Fawcett, Jane Fonda and even Rod Stewart. It was the first true uni-sex style. The shag is a medium-length layered cut that can be worn several different ways. The versatility of this style makes it a favorite among women today as it did thirty years ago. Just like the wedge, however, the shag must be styled in such a way as to make it look modern. Rather than using hairspray, experiment with styling products like waxes, creams, and pomades in order to give a shag a modern feel.

Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.