Mohawks
The mohawk is perhaps the most recognizable punk hairstyle. Named after members of the North American Mohawk tribe, this style consisted of a shaved head with a long, spiked central strip of hair. It looked similar to hairstyles worn by the original Mohawk tribe. Doaneline.com says that the word mohawk literally means "cannibal". Early British punks emulated this style to give themselves a tough, fierce appearance. Fashion-era.com explains that the typical punk mohawk was formed by "a variety of means including sugar and water solutions, soaping, gelatine, pva glue, hair sprays and hair gel." This style is very high maintenance.
The mohawk is perhaps the most recognizable punk hairstyle. Named after members of the North American Mohawk tribe, this style consisted of a shaved head with a long, spiked central strip of hair. It looked similar to hairstyles worn by the original Mohawk tribe. Doaneline.com says that the word mohawk literally means "cannibal". Early British punks emulated this style to give themselves a tough, fierce appearance. Fashion-era.com explains that the typical punk mohawk was formed by "a variety of means including sugar and water solutions, soaping, gelatine, pva glue, hair sprays and hair gel." This style is very high maintenance.
Bleach and Hypercolor
Many mohawk wearers chose to bleach their spikes and/or dye them bright colors. Food dyes and bingo dabbers were used to add color. Technicolor hues were "intended to startle the onlooker and attract attention," according to Fashion-era.com. They also explain that during the 1970s, "over bleaching was common and also became deliberate as home methods were initially employed to achieve hitherto unknown effects." TruePunk.com explains the iconic mohawk look was heavily influenced by a picture of Soo Catwoman's striking bleached and dyed hairdo.
Shaved Heads
Michael Stephens claims that before punk style became prominent in Britain, "the ideal hairstyle for boys in the UK was a 'short back and sides', i.e., shaved up the back, sides, and behind the ears with a few oiled strands combed into a tight "parting" on top." Punk guys and girls reacted against such standards by shaving off all or part of their hair "to make themselves look intimidating", according to Fashion-era.com.
Many mohawk wearers chose to bleach their spikes and/or dye them bright colors. Food dyes and bingo dabbers were used to add color. Technicolor hues were "intended to startle the onlooker and attract attention," according to Fashion-era.com. They also explain that during the 1970s, "over bleaching was common and also became deliberate as home methods were initially employed to achieve hitherto unknown effects." TruePunk.com explains the iconic mohawk look was heavily influenced by a picture of Soo Catwoman's striking bleached and dyed hairdo.
Shaved Heads
Michael Stephens claims that before punk style became prominent in Britain, "the ideal hairstyle for boys in the UK was a 'short back and sides', i.e., shaved up the back, sides, and behind the ears with a few oiled strands combed into a tight "parting" on top." Punk guys and girls reacted against such standards by shaving off all or part of their hair "to make themselves look intimidating", according to Fashion-era.com.
