Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny the iconic status of the mullet haircut throughout the last decades. The mullet was a style staple in the 80s glam rock era, then it got an athletic twist in the 90s, and is now making another comeback!
Nowadays, you can be cool and wear a modern mullet with layers, or even go old school with a rattail haircut. Regardless of your approach, you’re sure to find inspiration in the examples below! (and check the VIDEO and FAQ at the end too!)
1. Modern Mullet Haircut
With the mullet, it’s all about nuances. If you want your hairstyle to have a visible modern touch to it, you should focus on adapting the classic haircut to a modern silhouette. Almost all modern versions of the mullet are messily styled.
2. Mullet with Beard
Want to add extra edge to your mullet? You can always boost the manliness of a mullet haircut with the help of facial hair. However, do remember that beards require time, products, and grooming to keep it looking sharp.
3. Rattail Haircut
We couldn’t have talked about the mullet without bringing up the rattail. This is a haircut from the same family as the mullet, but which has the short hair on top end in a long section of hair at the nape (hence the name). Consider getting one if you a shorter top and longer back tickle your fancy.
4. Layered Mullet Haircut
We’ve said it once, we’ll repeat it a thousand times: a layered haircut is perfect for any man. No matter what type of hair you have, how old you are, or what your personal style is, layers will always increase the coolness of any look by a mile.
5. Artsy Mullet Hairstyle
If your style is highly fashion-oriented, you’ll love this mullet adaptation. Not only does it have an artsy twist, but it’s also easy to maintain owing to the overall shorter length. The choppy bangs are also a nice touch to this eye-catching “front party, back party, party everywhere!” look.
6. Faux Hawk Mullet Haircut
Count on a mohawk to toughen up the appearance of any haircut. Also, if you just want to experiment with similar shapes, try a faux hawk mullet. Just shave down the sides and leave the top and back longer and you’re good to go! The sides are also slightly faded.
7. Goth Mullet Hairstyle
It’s always great to be able to express your personality or musical tastes through your hairstyle. If you’re goth for life, go for a mullet like the one in the photo below. The sides are also completely buzzed.
8. Subtle Mullet Haircut
Some men might not want their mullet haircut to be that upfront. If this is the case for you, we recommend leaving just a little bit of hair fall down your nape. Style the top part however you please – even a business in the front look works!
9. Asian Style Mullet
Whether you’re an Asian man yourself or just love this continent’s culture, go for a modern mullet haircut inspired by it. Japanese and Korean mullets have a specific, choppy style to them that is sure to complement any men looking to add a youthful vibe to their hairstyle.
10. Feathered Mullet
So, we’ve talked about layered haircuts and their impact, but what about the different styles of layering you can try out? In addition to the jagged layers we’ve shown in previous photos, also test out a feathered mullet to see if it’s for you.
11. Quiff Mullet Haircut
There are plenty of reasons to love the mullet and one of them is that you can blend this haircut with all sorts of hairstyles. For example, pair it with the top-trending quiff. Show your hairstylist the photo below if you want to combine classic and modern in a single, cool hairstyle.
12. Athletic Mullet Hairstyle for Curly Hair
Speaking of athletic mullets, soccer isn’t the only sport associated with mullets. Ice hockey, for example, has a lot of players sporting this timeless hairstyle. If you have curly hair and you’re also an ice hockey fan, then try out this mullet haircut!
13. Bohemian Mullet Haircut
Not all mullet haircuts have to be sleek, quite the contrary! Some young, wild, and free adaptations look even better than their formal-oriented counterparts. So the styling below can and will look great on bohemian guys, especially on ones with naturally wavy hair.
14. Discrete Mullet with Full Beard
Still, you can always opt for a subtle mullet too and look just as good. In fact, complete a discrete mullet hairstyle with a full and thick beard for an extra touch of cool. Also, remember – caring for your beard is caring for your all-around appearance!
15. Choppy Mullet Haircut
We’re always up for edgy hairstyles, especially if the guy wearing them has a similar personality. Add a rock star effect to your mullet by working in choppy layers all around. To get the choppy outcome, your layers should be short and numerous.
16. Very Long Mullet Hairstyle
Some men just look terrific with long hair. If you recognize yourself in this, don’t hesitate to opt for a mullet haircut with a longer tail. Crop the top part as much as you want but let the lower part to grow as much as possible.
17. Easy Going Mullet Hairstyle
This is a very balanced modern version of a mullet haircut. It’s not too fancy, nor is it too in-your-face. We call it the easygoing mullet – note that it leaves just an inch or two of longer hair at the back of the neck.
18. 80s Mullet Haircut
While the 80s-style mullet and the classic mullet head have long gone out of fashion, this look can still be an original choice for men who resonate with the glam rock era. In the end, you don’t have to follow trends if they’re not aligned with your personality.
19. Mullet Haircut with Hard Part
A small element like a hard part can go a long way and have quite the impact on any look. Just look how well a hard part contributes to adding a modern take on the mullet haircut.
20. Spiky Fade Haircut
Spiky hairstyles for men have always been in and out of trends – they are making a comeback now, for the record. Nowadays, it’s all about the specific way you style your spikes to get a successful hairstyle. Try this burst fade mullet mohawk to look fly!
21. Edgy Mullet Haircut
We’ve been talking about edgy versions of the mullet, but this particular one definitely stands out among the rest. It has a very grunge feel to it with the long, jagged layers and shaved sides that continue up until the nape.
22. Old School Mullet Haircut
After we spoke about the iconic 80s mullet, it’s only fair that we touch on the 90s version as well. Back then, mullets were all the rage if rocked with headbands. Our advice remains the same regarding the specific styles of both these decades – wear them with pride if you truly like them!
23. Emo Mullet Hairstyle
While emo mullets are not an option for full-grown men that work in corporations, they are an interesting choice for teenage emo guys. The emo mullet features the style’s signature full, side-swept bangs, with straightened locks that spread out across the back and sides of the neck.
24. Angular Fringe Mullet
The image below shows the perfect example of how a modern and trendy mullet can and should look like. A classic mullet is mixed with an angular fringe haircut for the top section. After getting the base haircut, style the bangs over the forehead and jaggedly to one side.
25. Braided Mullet Haircut
So you decided on getting a rattail mullet haircut? Congratulation! Now, we have just the styling idea to help you further personalize this hairstyle! Instead of leaving the tail part simply down, give your hairstyle a twist (literally) by braiding it.
26. V-Shaped Rattail Haircut
On the other hand, you may want to get a rattail haircut that isn’t that long on the tail part and also not as. full. As an alternative, pump up the edginess of this hairstyle by cutting a V-shape in the back and shaving and fading these sides.
27. Long Mullet Haircut with Faux Hawk
We have a fantastic idea for men who prefer mullets with longer tails. Once you get the haircut, style the section on top into a fine-looking faux hawk. We encourage you to follow the technique displayed in the photo below to get that fanned mohawk aspect.
28. Mullet with Shorter Sides
Some men opt for mullet haircuts that don’t cut down the sides that much. Others opt for a completely shaved part. If neither style matches your tastes, stay somewhere in between by rocking a long top with shorter sides with your mullet.
29. Mullet Haircut for Thick Hair
While thick hair can be a curse for guys who aren’t into excessive styling, it can be a sheer blessing for those who like longer, ruffled hair. Obtain the ruffled and messy look by cutting in some layers too.
30. Modern Pompadour Mullet
Over time, the pompadour became acknowledged as a highly classy hairstyle for both men and women. Nevertheless, the modern pomp almost always has an edgy side to it. Think about sporting your mullet with a messy pompadour top to make the most of both these classic looks.
31. Spiky Top with Flowing Back Hairstyle
One of the neatest parts of the mullet haircut is that you can play around with the lengths of the top and bottom individually. For instance, you can maintain a cleanly-cropped top with spiky hair and leave the part at the nape longer and flowing free – but likely only if you have straight hair.
32. French Crop Mullet Haircut
Yet another modern mullet that will certainly catch your eye if you follow trends is this French crop version. The French crop hairstyle has been topping the charts for over a year now and mixing it with a mullet will make for a super cool look.
33. Long Tail Mullet Haircut
Not sure whether to go for a mullet or a rattail as separate haircuts? The good part is that you don’t even have to decide! Keep elements from both hairstyles by replicating the approach taken in the photo below.
34. Messy Mullet Haircut
Eliminate any potential cheesiness that might come with an old school mullet by throwing in an abundance of layers and going for a messy top.
35. Business Mullet Hairstyle
All the same, not all men can afford to maintain a casual and careless mullet in all situations. Men looking for a casual business look are encouraged to sport neatly-trimmed hairstyles – they can look great even when meeting with clients.
36. Punk Mullet Hairstyle
There’s no doubt that Sid Vicious permanently left a mark on punk history through his music, eccentric personality, and shocking looks. Even to this day, a lot of punk hairstyles are still based on his iconic style. Draw inspiration from his spiky hairstyle for your mullet.
37. Comb Back Mullet Haircut with Volume
Slicked back hairstyles have their fair share of pros and cons. Even though the sleek effect is awesome, it may be a volume-killer for some guys. If you still want a visible shape to your hairstyle, use high-quality hair products and comb back the part under the first slicked back layer.
38. Mullet Hairstyle for Afro-Textured Hair
Hard as it may seem to believe nowadays, there was a time when Kanye West actually rocked a mullet. It may not be the most flattering hairstyle for him specifically, but we do believe the silhouette is an interesting idea for men with afro-textured hair.
39. Side Bangs Mullet Haircut
Whether you want to conceal a larger forehead or an unflattering hairline, side bangs can be the perfect solution for both! Naturally, you can also wear your mullet with side bangs if you enjoy the visual benefits. The slightly spiky top also boosts the effect and makes the whole style that much cooler.
40. Mullet Haircut with Shaved Design
Shaved designs have always been a great way to transition your imagination into your looks. Take this jagged geometrical lines into buzz cut sides as inspiration for your own version.
41. Colorful Mullet
The same goes for vivid colors. Bright mullet hairstyles may not be appropriate for corporate environments, but they’re so cool to wear out and about in town. What’s more, this hairstyle uses not one but two hair dye colors. Dyed hair for men never looked this interesting!
42. Mullet with Highlights
This mullet haircut has a little bit of everything. The look features a short top but a visible mullet in the back and also short sides. In addition, the hairstyle is accentuated by light brown highlights introduced in its key areas.
Celebrities with Mullet Hair: Old-School and Modern Takes on It
43. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Slick Mullet Haircut
If Nikolaj Coster-Waldau can pull off a mullet in this day and age, so can you! The beloved actor that portrayed Jaime Lannister in the Game of Thrones series knows how to rock a slick mullet with a few strands casually draped over the forehead.
44. Billy Ray Cyrus Long Mullet Haircut
While some guys want shorter locks in the back for their mullet hair, others prefer to keep it long. If you really want to emphasize the “mullet” aspect of your overall look, consider leaving the hair in the back really long, just as Billy Ray Cyrus did in his youth.
45. Jared Leto Short Mullet Hairstyle
Jared Leto is another modern-day celebrity helping bring back mullet cuts by adding a modern touch to the classic and making it look cool. Similar to Nikolaj, Jared glowed with awesomeness thanks to the way he decided to cut and style his short version.
46. David Beckham Soccer Mullet Haircut
David Beckham hairstyles are undoubtedly some of the most beloved sources of inspiration among guys of all ages. Moreover, Becks is one of the sportsmen that boosted the soccer/ European football mullet trend. Replicate the look or adapt it if you’re a die-hard athlete or supporter.
47. David Beckham Slicked Back Mullet Haircut
We’re back with another Beckham example, but this time, with longer hair. If you have decided to keep your top just about as long as the bottom of your mullet, you can easily slick it all back.
48. Cristiano Ronaldo Gelled Mullet Hairstyle
Hair products can be a man’s best friend – as long as he knows how to use them properly. For yet another athletic hairstyle, you can copy Cristiano Ronaldo’s short gelled mullet. Make sure you don’t go overboard on the hair gel though!
49. Orlando Bloom Textured Mullet Hairstyle
Orlando Bloom is another one of the celebrities on our list who wasn’t afraid to try out a modern mullet. What makes his version even more impressive is the way he obtains texture through lots of choppy layers.
50. Bradley Cooper Casual Mullet Hairstyle
With his slick flow hairstyle, actor Bradley Cooper has caught the attention of fans both on and off-screen. He succeeds in pulling off a mullet without much effort thanks to the casual and nonchalant approach he always takes when styling his hair.
51. The David Bowie Mullet
The man, the legend. We’ll be ending this list of mullet cuts by showing you not one but two music legends that used to sport it. The first one is the late and great David Bowie. Here he is as himself and not his eccentric persona Ziggy Stardust – both of which sported the mullet exceptionally well.
52. The Paul McCartney Mullet Look
Next up and the last entry on this list is Paul McCartney. The musician is famous for being part of The Beatles (who can deny the Beatles mania?), for his prolific solo career, for sporting the mop-top, and we’d also add for rocking a mullet to this list.
FAQ About the Mullet
The mullet haircut has a complicated history that started sometime in the 80s. As most long-lasting hairstyles, it’s had its periods of glory and its moments of hate.
Still, it was, without a question, one of the defining men haircuts of the 80s, a prevailing athletic cut in the 90s, and is making a new comeback with the modern mullet nowadays.
It is easy to recognize the mullet cut thanks to its shape and most defining features: the short top and significantly longer hair on the back. All classic and modern takes are based and revolve around this formula.
As the saying goes “Everything old is new again” meaning that beauty and hairstyle trends are well-known for becoming fashionable again after falling out of public attention for a few years.
Nonetheless, in most cases, these comebacks are marked by the addition of new features and characteristics. The mullet is no exception as its modern versions are edgier, messier, and more layered, and generally play around a lot more.
Want to find out more about the mullet cut including it’s full history, how to grow it out and cut it, some fun facts about it, and get even more famous mullet inspo? Then be sure to check out this article about “What a Mullet is” too!
Conclusion
In summary, the mullet haircut will surely continue going in and out of fashion for decades to come! But for a quick recap and inspo on how to wear it and be cool nowadays, check out the video below:
As with all hairstyles for men, we always encourage our readers to wear their favorite ideas with their heads held high. In the end, trends like mullets will always fluctuate, but your personality will shine strong throughout the process!
Are you going to choose a classic or modern mullet? Or do you have any more questions about the mullet? Let us know and share your opinions with us in the comments!
Did you even have one picture of the hair style from the back? I don’t care what their face looks like I want to see the style!!!!!!!!!!!!
I decided today at my barbers that I am going to grow a summer mullet. Not sure how long I am going to take it or what exact style, but I do know it’s going to be a fun process. Wife said “go for it” I own my own company so who cares, and I have another buddy who is down too. The folks at the country club may not find it amusing but that’ll make it that much better!
That’s great! You could go for a Kurt Russell look or something like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon. Those were amazing mullets. Either way, the most important thing when choosing a haircut is to feel good about yourself. If you like it and it makes you feel awesome, go for it!
Oh my god, number 14 is my boyfriend. I linked his insta, I think this picture might even be on it.
I mean number 13, the feathered mullet.
Hi Meredith!
Your boyfriend has a really cool haircut – we’re loving the mullet he’s sporting! We did not get the link though, can you send it again – especially the link to this picture on his Insta so we can change the source and feature him directly? 😀