Channeling John Bender: Reclaiming the 80s 'Do with Flair

Looking for ways to soften a haircut that feels too masculine?

3 min readBeauty
Channeling John Bender: Reclaiming the 80s 'Do with Flair
Any idea how to make this cut less masculine

Our Take: The 80s called, and it wants its hair back. Or maybe it just wants us to rethink it. When we saw the plea from /u/Aqualung67 about a recent haircut inspired by the iconic John Bender from "The Breakfast Club," we felt a wave of relatable chaos. There's a certain glamour in diving headfirst into a retro hair moment, especially when you're aiming for that effortlessly cool, androgynous vibe. We've all been there, right? Visions of feathered coolness dancing in our heads, only to have our thick, course hair decide it has other plans, and the stylist, bless their heart, taking it a *tad* shorter than anticipated. It’s the ultimate couture gamble – sometimes you win big with a look that screams confidence, and sometimes, well, you end up with a men's cut at 26 and your coworkers are serving up a side of roast.

The immediate aftermath of a style misfire, especially one that feels distinctly not-you, can be a tough pill to swallow. When your reflection offers up John Rico or a young Ellen DeGeneres instead of your envisioned 80s icon, it’s easy to feel a pang of disappointment. But here’s the thing about fashion, and about life: it’s all about the humor. The very act of embracing a bold 80s style, even if it doesn't land quite as planned, is inherently playful. And if your hair decides to lean a little more masculine than feminine, it doesn’t mean you can’t reclaim it with a dose of your own unique flair. The goal isn't perfection, it's personality.

So, to /u/Aqualung67, we say: embrace the chaos! While waiting for that hair to grow out, think of it as a blank canvas for experimentation. Instead of solely focusing on softening the masculine edge, consider leaning into the inherent boldness of the cut. Think about playing with texture – a little texturizing spray can add volume and movement, making it feel less rigid. Slicking some sections back or adding a stylish bandana can instantly shift the vibe. And for goodness sake, own it with confidence! That's the ultimate accessory, and it’s always in style. After all, isn't that what high fashion is all about? Taking risks, having fun, and looking fabulous while doing it, even when your hair has a mind of its own.

From Beauty

(sorry for the repost, forgot to add the images.)

So for a little context I get my hair docked every year and I like a lot of the hairstyles from the 80s. Last year I rocked a similar style to Eric Johnson in the cliffs of dover video. I like that feathery androgynous look. Well I thought this year I'd give it another shot and go for John Bender from the breakfast club. The style of the characters hair felt to me personally like it could go either masculine or feminine.

Read the original at Beauty