Origins

The #MulletHaircut experienced a Gen Z revival starting in early 2020, transforming the 1980s “business in the front, party in the back” into a modern, androgynous, shaggy-cool style. Celebrity hairstylist Miley Cyrus brought mainstream attention when she cut her own mullet during COVID lockdown (May 2020).

The modern mullet represents:

• Gender-fluid fashion
• Rejection of safe, polished hair
• Nostalgia for 1980s-90s rock/punk aesthetics
• DIY, rebellious spirit

Modern Variations

Classic Mullet:

• Short on top and sides, long in back
• Textured, choppy layers
• More refined than 1980s version

Shullet (Shag + Mullet):

• Softer, more feminine
• Shaggy layers throughout
• Curtain bangs in front

Wolf Cut:

• Voluminous, heavily layered
• Korean-inspired (K-pop influence)
• Shaggy mullet-shag hybrid

Bixie Mullet:

• Pixie front, mullet back
• Very short sides, longer nape
• Edgiest version

Celebrity Adoption

2020:

• Miley Cyrus: Self-cut mullet during lockdown (viral Instagram post)
• Rihanna: Soft shullet variation
• Barbie Ferreira: Edgy mullet in Euphoria press

2021-2023:

• Doja Cat: Platinum blonde mullet (Met Gala 2021)
• Zendaya: Shag-mullet hybrid (2022)
• Kristen Stewart: Textured, androgynous mullet
• Lil Nas X: Bleached mullet era (2021)

Gender-Fluid Appeal

The modern mullet transcended gender:

• Nonbinary/trans visibility: Androgynous style embraced
• Lesbian aesthetics: Soft butch, futch culture
• Queer fashion: Rebellion against heteronormative beauty

The cut became synonymous with LGBTQ+ self-expression, particularly among Gen Z.

Cultural Context

Pandemic DIY culture (2020-2021):

• Salons closed, at-home haircuts
• Miley Cyrus’ self-cut inspired experimentation
• “Mistakes” became trends

Y2K nostalgia (2020-2023):

• Early 2000s mullet resurgence (Avril Lavigne, pop-punk)
• 1980s-90s rock revival (Guns N’ Roses, hair metal aesthetics)

Alt TikTok (2020+):

• Alternative fashion, punk, emo revival
• Rejection of mainstream beauty (Instagram face, long extensions)

Salon Demand

Hairstylists reported:

• 200%+ increase in mullet requests (2020-2022)
• Wolf cut searches spiked 500% (Google Trends, 2021)
• Shag cuts (mullet-adjacent) became most-requested style

Styling

Products:

• Texturizing spray (Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray)
• Sea salt spray (beach waves, piecey texture)
• Light pomade (define choppy layers)

Maintenance:

• Trim every 6-8 weeks (keep shape)
• Layers grow out quickly (high-maintenance)
• Air-dry or diffuse (avoid sleek blowout)

Criticisms

• Not universally flattering: Face shape, hair texture matters
• Divisive: “Love it or hate it” haircut
• High-maintenance: Requires styling, frequent trims
• Professional settings: Some workplaces still consider “unprofessional”

Evolution

By 2023:

• Soft mullet: Less extreme, more wearable
• Curly mullet: Embracing natural texture
• Micro-mullet: Very short, almost buzzed sides

Related Trends

• Wolf Cut (2021): K-pop-inspired shaggy layers
• Shag Haircut (2020): 1970s revival, similar layering
• Curtain Bangs (2019): Often paired with mullet
• Jellyfish Haircut (2022): Korean two-layer cut (similar vibe)

Sources

• Miley Cyrus Instagram - Self-cut mullet post (May 2020)
• Vogue - “The Mullet Is Back, and It’s More Chic Than Ever” (September 2020)
• Google Trends: “Mullet haircut” search data (2020-2023)
• Allure - “Why Gen Z Brought Back the Mullet” (June 2021)