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16 Vintage Short Hair Styles Anyone Can Pull Off

Our gallery of vintage short hair looks shows all the ways you can add retro flair to shorter hair.

Amra | February 8, 2021

Thinking of trying out vintage hairstyles? While you might assume it’s those with long hair that get to have all the fun, you’ll be happy to know that vintage short hair styles do exist — and they’re just as inspiring!

To tempt you to channel your inner retro queen, we’ve found the best vintage hairstyles for short hair to help give you some ideas. So, what are you waiting for?

Pixie with a Hair Scarf

Woman with a platinum blonde pixie cut with a hair scarf — Credit: Rupert Laycock

So you’ve fallen in love with hair scarves? Well, lucky for you, they’ve got a starring role in a lot of vintage hairstyles for short hair. Even the shortest pixie cut can be spruced up with a patterned silk scarf, simply wrap around and tie into a bow and you’re good to go!

Pinned Back

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of a woman with short hair styled into half-up,, half-down hair with a duck blue jacket, pearls and a throw at Goodwood Festival — What’s not to love? Credit: Verity Jane Smith

Turning your bob into a ’40s-ready style is super easy! All you have to do is fashion half of it into a loose swirl and pin it back, like this.

Quiff Updo with Bun

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of Stella Maxwell with short bronde hair styled into a quiff at the front and a bun updo at the back on the red carpet — This quiff meets bun hybrid is our fave. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

If you’re looking for a chic vintage short hair style that will allow you to wear your go-to bun, this relaxed quiff is seriously destined for you.

With a tousled Elvis-inspired quiff at the front and a high bun at the back, you’ll be retro ready for any occasion.

Flapper Bob

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of Vanessa Hudgens with flapper style short bob with a flippy fringe on the red carpet — This fancy flapper bob won’t let you down. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

You can’t talk about vintage hairstyles for short hair without mentioning Louise Brooks’ iconic flapper bob with bangs! And guess what? We spotted Vanessa Hudgens rocking it on the red carpet.

Instead of keeping it sleek, the star has given her throwback bob a modern refresh by getting choppy layers cut in.

Flapper Bun

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of a woman with dark short hair styled into a low flapper style bun, with headband and peacock feather at Goodwood festival — Ready to meet Gatsby? Credit: Verity Jane Smith

Styling her lob length hair into a deep side parting and into a low flapper bun, this beauty gives her eye-catching ‘do the perfect retro edge with a peacock and headband accessory.

Finger Waves

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of Demi Lovato with short dark brown hair styled into a finger waved wavy bob on the red carpet — Finger waves are here to stay. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

Short vintage hair with fancy finger waves is a red carpet staple. Just look at how Demi Lovato teams them with her cute chin-length bob.

Victory Roll Updo

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of Gwen Stefani with a plaitnum victory rolled updo on the red carpet — Roll your mane into a past era with this ‘do. Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

There’s no doubt you’ll love this short vintage hair look: a twirling half-victory roll styled into an updo! Lucky for you, we’ve got an easy tutorial on how to create victory rolls.

Victory Rolls with An Undercut

Vintage hairstyles for short hair: Close up shot of a woman with short purple hair styled into a victory rolled updo with a undercut — Who says you can’t be retro and edgy at the same time? Credit: Verity Jane Smith

Rockabilly hairstyles, like these victory rolls with a shaved undercut design, are great for when you want a short edgy style full of retro flair. Whether you go this colourful with your look is all up to you!

Pompadour

Vintage short hair: Close up shot of Tessa Thompson with dark brown relaxed hair styled into a high rolled quiff on the red carpet — Grease Lightning! Credit: Rex by Shutterstock

The best thing about short vintage hairstyles? They can be tailored to your hair type.

To give her short relaxed hair a vintage feel, Tessa Thompson fashioned it into a rolled pompadour style. Will you try it out?

Hollywood Waves

Hollywood waves look ultra-glamorous on short to long bob lengths — isn’t that right Dita Von Teese?

Not only will they make the perfect accessory to any evening dress, but they’ll also make you feel like you’ve stepped out of a classic film.

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Editor’s tip: Creating glitzy waves will require heat. So, you really can’t go wrong with using a heat protectant spray like the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray.

This shine-boosting spray will make it easier for you to achieve this hairstyle while also protecting your strands against heat damage.

French Twist

Never got a chance to try French girl hairstyles? The good news is that this fancy French twist is a timeless, vintage short hair style that’ll meet all of your #hairgoals.