Mullet
The mullet is a hairstyle with shorter hair at the front, top, and sides, and longer hair at the back.
The mullet is a hairstyle defined by shorter hair at the front, top, and sides, with longer hair at the back. It is famously described as “business in the front, party in the back.”
What it is
A mullet features a strong contrast in length: the front, top, and sides are kept short, while the back is left noticeably longer. The cut became widely associated with 1970s and 1980s pop culture and is often linked to the Beastie Boys’ 1994 song “Mullet Head,” though the style predates that term.
Why it matters
The mullet is a recurring fashion statement that has seen renewed interest in recent years. Modern versions use layers, texture, fades, or tapers to make the cut more intentional and wearable. It remains part of broader North American fashion and pop-culture history, including Canadian hockey and retro-style trends.
Key details
The mullet is worn by both men and women but is often discussed as a men’s haircut. Contemporary styling emphasizes shape and texture on top while maintaining length and movement in the back. Multiple recent style guides describe the mullet as making a comeback in updated forms.
In short
- Short front, top, and sides; long back
- Popular in the 1970s and 1980s, now revived
- Modern versions use layers, fades, or tapers
- Worn by men and women
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.
Quick questions
What is a mullet?
Why is it called a mullet?
Is the mullet back in style?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullet_(haircut)Supports: Basic definition: shorter front, top, and sides with longer back.
- John Frieda — https://www.johnfrieda.com/en-uk/blog/hairstyles/guide-to-mullets/Supports: Traditional and modern descriptions of mullet structure and styling.
- HairTerms — https://hairterms.com/haircut/types/mullet/Supports: Definition of the mullet and modern layered/ ტექստured variations.
- Esquire — https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/a36277783/modern-mullet-hairstyle/Supports: Modern styling guidance and the long-back, short-front definition.
- Men's Health UK — https://www.menshealth.com/uk/style/grooming/a64127939/mullet-haircuts/Supports: Modern mullet description, styling, and name origin discussion.
- 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.
- Barbertainer — https://www.barbertainer.com/what-is-a-mullet-haircut/Supports: Retro-to-modern comeback and descriptive definition.
- Wahl USA — https://www.wahlusa.com/how-to/haircutting/mens-haircuts/mulletSupports: Men’s mullet styling/cutting context and contemporary resurgence.