Mullet is a word with two main meanings: a distinctive short-front, long-back hairstyle and a family of stout-bodied, often edible marine fish. Today, the mullet haircut is back in global fashion headlines as a bold, gender‑neutral trend for 2025.
What “mullet” means
In modern English, “mullet” usually refers either to:
- A bony sea fish in the Mugilidae family, long used as food in many coastal cuisines.
- A hairstyle that is short on the top and sides and longer at the back, sometimes summed up as “short in front, long in back.”
Lexicographers note that “mullet” has described fish for centuries, while its use for the haircut only became established in the late 20th century. Dictionaries now list both senses, with examples that contrast culinary use (“grilled mullet”) with style use (“a mullet haircut”).
Ancient roots of the mullet haircut
Although the name is modern, hair cut short around the face and left long at the back appears in ancient sources and art. Greek literature, including descriptions attributed to Homer, mentions warriors with long hair at the back, matching the functional logic of its shape. Archaeological and historical discussions point to similar styles among Romans, various Central Asian nomads, Vikings, Celts and some Native American groups, where long back hair kept the neck warm while short front hair kept vision clear.
Rise to fame in the 1970s–1990s
The haircut’s modern pop‑culture life took off in the 1970s and 1980s. Commentators often credit the androgynous looks of glam‑rock figures like David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era with popularising the cut, which then spread through rock, country music and sports. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was worn by everyone from blue‑collar workers to celebrities, appearing in fashion magazines, music videos and sports coverage as a symbol of a particular, often rebellious, version of American and global pop culture.
How the term “mullet” caught on
While the haircut was ubiquitous in the 1980s, written sources did not yet commonly label it “mullet.” Etymological notes suggest English used “mullet” for a fish from at least the 14th century, and “mullet‑head” as slang for a fool in the 19th century, but not for a haircut. Linguistic commentators point out that printed references to “mullet” meaning the hairstyle surged only after the mid‑1990s, helped by pop‑culture references such as songs and satirical treatments that associated the word with the already‑familiar cut.
Stereotypes, jokes and subcultures
As the 1990s progressed, it became both a target of humour and a badge of identity. Writers and fans coined nicknames like “Kentucky waterfall” and “neck warmer,” and the cut was often used in media as shorthand for rural, working‑class or “out of date” characters. At the same time, subcultures, especially in music and motorsports, embraced the style deliberately, turning it into a defiant symbol that pushed back against urban fashion norms.
The modern mullet in 2025
From the late 2010s onward, it reappeared as a fashion‑forward, gender‑neutral haircut, and by 2025, it was firmly back on trend. Contemporary barbers and stylists describe the “modern mullet” as cleaner and more tailored than its 1980s ancestor, often using low or skin fades at the sides, textured tops and controlled length in the back for a refined silhouette. Salons frame it as a confident, expressive look that suits a wide range of hair types and is widely shared on platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, helping drive its resurgence among influencers and everyday clients alike.
Key modern variations
Stylists now talk about many sub‑styles rather than one rigid cut. Popular 2025 versions include:
- Tapered or faded mullet: sides blended with a taper or fade into a structured back for a boardroom‑friendly yet edgy shape.
- Curly or shag mullet: added layers and texture for wavy or curly hair, softening the contrast while keeping extra length at the back.
- Gender‑neutral and androgynous mullet: cuts designed to flatter any gender expression, emphasising individuality over traditional “men’s” or “women’s” labels.
These designs rely heavily on product styling, such as creams, clays and blow‑drying, to add volume on top and define the back length without looking messy.
Fish vs. hairstyle
Why the mullet keeps returning
Fashion analysts argue that its comebacks reflect bigger cycles in culture and style. The cut stands out in photos and on stage, works as a visible signal of nonconformity and, in its modern form, can be customised to be either subtle or extreme, making it ideal for an era focused on personal branding and online images. Its long history, from ancient warriors to TikTok stylists, gives it a narrative that designers, barbers and wearers continually reinterpret, which is why “business in the front, party in the back” keeps finding new audiences.