All of the coolest hairstyles are extravagant and they all have a historical background. But only one of them dates back centuries while still being extremely popular.
The style is called Pompadour. Pompa-what? Well, if you are interested, read on!
Let’s just say it: the so-called Pompadour haircut is the one made famous by Elvis Presley and is still very much alive in various forms. The hairstyle’s history dates back to 17th century France, even before the time of Madame de Pompadour. The first documented Pompadour hairstyle belonged to the Duchess of Fontanges, the mistress of Louis XIV. According to legend, she combed her hair back like that after she fell off her horse. Fortunately, she didn’t hurt herself, but the king quite liked her hair this way, and the style soon became widespread.
Can you feel cognitive dissonance? It’s not your fault if you do. Why is it that the Pompadour hairstyle was popular only among women? In fact, roles have changed frequently throughout history. What once was considered feminine could easily be regarded as masculine a few centuries later. The pompadour haircut is exactly like that. It made a comeback once again in the early 20th century as a sexy female hairstyle until the rock-and-roll stars of the ‘50s thought it would look good on them, too. And how right they were! We couldn’t even imagine Elvis Presley, James Dean, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and Tony Curtis without their Pompadour.
Of course, to make it sound manlier, the name wasn’t Pompadour back then, but quiff, greaser, or Elvis. But once it had been imprinted in everybody’s memories, it became so popular that it still lives on in different variations. Some likes their classic Elvis cut as is to embrace the rockabilly lifestyle, some prefer mixing it with a little fade, others like it messy, while even the ones with curly hair are happy to go for it. It’s not a surprise, though. Pompadour is for everyone!
Would you like to try a new hairstyle? Or would you simply like to adjust your Pompadour? Make an appointment!