Rats Tails

January 2nd, 2014

As well as big hair, mullets and pony tails, rats tails were a common phenomenon during the 1980’s. This unique hair style was popular predominantly among teenage boys and young men who wanted a slightly different look.

Sometimes rat tails would simply hang down from the back of the head, but occasionally they would have been plaited styled as a dreadlock, or even curled or permed. It wasn’t uncommon for men to grow more than one rat tail.

From Pony Tails To Rats Tails

It’s highly likely that rat tails grew in popularity in the 1980’s because of the prevalence of male pony tails, and they may have developed from there. Those who did not want to be seen with a pony tail may have opted for a rat tail because they were less feminine. It’s also likely that those who were not able to grow a pony tail because of their jobs, opted for a rat tail because they were easier to hide.

What’s more is you could easily do a lot more with a rats tail than you could with a pony tail. They were easier to dye, easier to decorate and occasionally they looked better than bigger pony tails.

Movie stars and pop stars were often seen to be sporting rats tails, but on occasions they were false rats tails, which gave rise to false rats tails being made and bought worldwide. If you wanted rats tails but you didn’t have the patience to grow one then you could get to a store that sold them and achieve the look you wanted, very quickly.

Punks

During the 1980’s, some punks grew rats tails, and some could even be seem with a completely shaved head, with a rats tail growing out the back. This tail may well have been dyed in a luminous color and made to stand out. But it wasn’t just punks who were more than happy to sport rats tails, it was also those who wanted to be fashionable and remain that way. It was those who wanted to make a statement and look cool.

Students would occasionally be sent home for having a rats tail, after being told to cut it off. Indeed, this hair style was not always popular in the workplace, but it was so much easier to hide or disguise than a pony tail was.

During the 1990’s some men grew rats tails, but as newer hairstyles came into fashion, they were chopped off and shunned for another style that was perhaps a little more acceptable.

Rats Tails Today

Rats tails are not as popular as they used to be, and you would have to look hard to find a man, or a woman with one, but they can still be found. In some parts of Australia and New Zealand it’s still quite a popular hairstyle, but in the western world, it’s one that perhaps for now will remain in the 80’s until it’s considered to be the style to have once more.

80's Fashion

The Ultimate Guide For 80s Fashion and Culture

LATEST

80's Hairstyles

Rats Tails

admin

Search The 1980s

Latest From The 80s Blog

The 10 Best "One Hit Wonders" From The 1980s

80's Baseball Coach And Commercial Legend Dies At 93

The Speed Cubers: An 80s Toy On Steroids

Cobra Kai Season 3: A Good Way To Kick Off 2021

80s Music and Fashion Icon Cyndi Lauper Ends 2020 With A Bang

80s History – 12/17/1989 The Simpsons Cartoon Debuts On Television

80s History – 04/15/1989 Tiananmen Square Protests

80s History - 03/24/89 The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

80s History - 01/22/89 DNA First Used In Court To Convict Criminals

80s History – 12/21/1988 Pan Am Flight 103 Bombed/Disaster

Rats Tails

Even More 80s Madness:

Search The 1980s

Latest From The 80s Blog