17 Best 70s Haircuts for Long Hair That Still Feel Cool Today
Long hair gives you plenty of room to play, but it can also start to feel heavy, flat, or a little too familiar. That is where 70s haircuts for long hair come in. These cuts use layers, fringe, feathering, and soft movement to make long hair feel lighter without losing the length you love.
The best part? You do not need to look like you stepped out of an old yearbook. Modern versions keep the soft texture and playful shape of the decade while adding cleaner ends, easier styling, and more wearable layers.
I love how these cuts can move from relaxed and boho to polished and glamorous. One cut can feel soft on Monday, wild on Friday, and full of bounce after a weekend blowout.
Below, you will find 17 of the best 70s haircuts for long hair for straight, wavy, curly, fine, and thick hair. Use them as inspiration before your next salon visit.
Why Are 70s Haircuts for Long Hair Popular Again?
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The 1970s gave us some of the most recognizable long hairstyles ever. Think feathered layers, airy bangs, flipped ends, shag cuts, and big blowouts.
Modern stylists now use those ideas in softer ways. They remove extra weight, shape the face, and create movement without making every haircut look overly retro.
These styles work especially well when you want:
- More lift around the crown
- Softer movement through long lengths
- Face-framing pieces
- Bangs without a heavy blunt shape
- Easy texture for waves and curls
- A fuller look for fine or flat hair
If volume is your main goal, you may also like these volume haircuts for long hair.
1. Classic Long 70s Shag
The classic long shag is one of the easiest ways to bring true 70s energy into long hair. The stylist keeps your overall length but adds shorter layers through the crown and middle sections.
Those layers stop long strands from hanging like one heavy curtain. Instead, the hair falls in different directions and moves when you turn your head.
A long shag works especially well on naturally wavy hair because each layer helps the wave pattern show. Straight hair can also wear it well with a loose blowout or soft bend.
Best for: medium to thick hair, natural waves, and anyone who loves relaxed texture.
If you like this shape but want more modern options, browse these long shaggy haircuts.
2. Farrah Fawcett Feathered Layers
Few hairstyles capture 70s glamour like Farrah-style feathered layers. The key feature is the way the front layers sweep away from the face.
The stylist usually starts shorter pieces around the cheekbones or jaw. Each layer gets longer as it blends into the rest of the hair.
The finished shape looks soft, wide, and full of movement.
- Front: dramatic face-framing layers
- Sides: feathered away from the cheeks
- Ends: light and airy
- Styling: round brush or large rollers
A center part makes the shape feel even more classic. You can also use an off-center part for a softer modern version.
3. Jane Birkin Fringe With Long Layers
Want something softer than a dramatic shag? A Jane Birkin-inspired cut gives long hair a relaxed French feel.
The main feature is the fringe. It looks light, slightly imperfect, and almost grown in rather than sharply cut. Long layers keep the rest of the hair loose and natural.
This cut works beautifully when you prefer hair that does not look overly styled.
Why it works:
- The fringe frames the eyes.
- Long layers stop the hair from looking bulky.
- Slight waves add an effortless finish.
- The shape works well with natural texture.
The goal is not perfect symmetry. A little movement actually makes this cut look better.
4. Stevie Nicks-Inspired Rockstar Shag
The Stevie Nicks-inspired shag feels moodier and more dramatic than a classic feathered haircut.
It usually combines long lengths with crown layers, wispy fringe, and plenty of movement around the face. Waves add to the effect, but the cut itself creates much of the shape.
| Feature | What It Adds |
|---|---|
| Short crown layers | Extra lift |
| Wispy bangs | Soft framing |
| Long ends | Dramatic length |
| Loose waves | Rockstar texture |
This style is a great match if you like long hair but want it to feel less polished and more free.
Let the layers move naturally instead of forcing every section into the same curl.
5. Long Layers With 70s Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs and long layers belong together. Both shapes move away from the face, so the blend looks natural and balanced.
The bangs usually open near the center and become longer toward the sides. The longer pieces then connect with the front layers.
That soft transition matters. It keeps the fringe from looking disconnected from the rest of your hair.
Ask your stylist for:
- Curtain bangs that open around the eyes
- Longer pieces around the cheekbones
- Soft layers through the mid-lengths
- Feathered movement around the front
For more ideas built around this fringe shape, see these long layered haircuts with curtain bangs.
6. Bardot Bangs With Face-Framing Layers
Bardot bangs sit somewhere between full fringe and curtain bangs. They look fuller near the center and longer toward the outer edges.
Pair them with long face-framing layers, and you get a cut that feels soft, romantic, and slightly undone.
The shorter front pieces can start near the cheeks, jaw, or collarbone depending on how much movement you want.
- Cheekbone layers create stronger framing.
- Jaw-length layers feel softer.
- Collarbone layers keep more fullness.
- Longer bangs give you easier grow-out.
This option works especially well if you want bangs without committing to a short, straight-across fringe.
7. Soft Shag With Long Wispy Bangs
A soft shag gives you the movement of a classic shag without the sharp contrast between short and long layers.
The crown still gets lift, but the transitions stay smooth. Long wispy bangs add another soft layer around the eyes.
This haircut can be a smart choice if you want your first shag but feel unsure about very short crown pieces.
The overall look stays light and feminine.
Great choice for: fine to medium hair, soft waves, and anyone who prefers subtle texture.
A lightweight styling cream can define the layers without making the ends feel stiff.
8. Wavy 70s Shag With Feathered Ends
Natural waves and feathered ends create one of the easiest 70s combinations.
The shag layers help waves form at different heights. The feathered ends stop the bottom from looking thick or blocky.
The result has movement from roots to tips.
| Hair Area | Suggested Shape |
| Crown | Shorter layers |
| Face | Soft framing |
| Mid-length | Medium layers |
| Ends | Feathered and light |
You do not need perfect curls here. Loose bends and uneven waves actually suit the shape.
Scrunch your hair while drying if you want to bring out more natural texture.
9. Curly 70s Shag With Rounded Layers
Curly hair can look incredible in a 70s shag when the layers follow the natural curl pattern.
Instead of cutting every layer at the same length, the stylist creates a rounded shape. Shorter curls sit higher around the crown, while longer curls fall toward the shoulders and back.
This creates volume without turning the ends into a heavy triangle.
Keep in mind:
- Curl shrinkage can make layers appear shorter.
- Dry cutting can help a stylist see the true curl shape.
- Rounded layers create a softer outline.
- Long fringe can blend into curly face-framing pieces.
The goal is balance. You want lift at the top without removing too much weight from the bottom.
10. Straight 70s Shag With Choppy Layers
Straight hair makes every layer easy to see, which gives a choppy 70s shag a strong shape.
Shorter pieces around the crown create lift. Longer pieces through the bottom protect your overall length.
The contrast creates texture even before you curl or wave your hair.
If your hair often feels flat, this style can add more life without requiring a dramatic chop.
You may also like these choppy long layered haircuts if you want more textured options.
Styling tip: bend a few front pieces away from your face rather than curling every section. That small change gives the haircut a more relaxed finish.
11. Hippie-Inspired Long Layered Cut
Not every 70s haircut needs heavy shag layers. A hippie-inspired long cut can stay simple.
Keep the hair long. Add gentle layers through the bottom. Frame the face with a few soft pieces.
The shape should feel natural rather than heavily styled.
This cut suits you if you want:
- Maximum length
- Minimal daily styling
- Soft movement
- Easy waves
- A laid-back center part
It also works well if you are growing out a shorter layered style and want the ends to blend more smoothly.
For more classic layering ideas, look at these layered haircuts for long hair.
12. 70s Wolf Cut for Long Hair
The wolf cut borrows from both the shag and the mullet, but the long version can look much softer than the name suggests.
The crown has shorter layers. The sides stay textured. The bottom keeps noticeable length.
That contrast gives the haircut its wild, airy shape.
| Choose This If You Want | Skip Heavy Layers If You Want |
| Strong crown volume | One-length fullness |
| Visible texture | Very sleek styling |
| Messy waves | Minimal layering |
| A bold shape | A subtle change |
A long wolf cut looks especially good with waves because texture helps connect the shorter and longer sections.
13. 70s Butterfly Cut With Flipped Layers
The butterfly cut may feel modern, but its big sweeping layers have clear 70s roots.
The front sections fall shorter. The back stays long. When you style the layers away from your face, they open like wings.
This creates the illusion of shorter hair around the front while keeping your full length at the back.
Why many long-haired women like it:
- It creates visible volume.
- It frames the face.
- It works with blowouts.
- It keeps the back long.
- It gives heavy hair more movement.
Use large rollers or a round brush if you want the layers to look extra full.
14. Long V-Cut With 70s Feathering
A V-cut creates a pointed shape at the back rather than a straight line.
When you combine that shape with 70s feathering, the layers flow downward toward the center. This helps very long hair look more shaped from behind.
The front can stay feathered around the cheeks and jaw while the back keeps its dramatic length.
This cut works especially well on thick hair because the layers can remove some bulk without taking away the overall length.
If your hair feels heavy, these long layered haircuts for thick hair can give you more ideas.
15. 70s Fringe Cut With Face-Framing Pieces
A full 70s fringe gives long hair a clear focal point.
Unlike a very blunt modern bang, this fringe often looks softer around the edges. Longer side pieces connect the bangs with the rest of the haircut.
That connection helps the style feel balanced.
A fringe can also change how the face appears.
| Fringe Shape | Visual Effect |
| Light and wispy | Softer look |
| Full and rounded | Strong retro feel |
| Long at the sides | More face framing |
| Center split | Curtain effect |
If you want to soften a rounder face shape, longer side pieces may feel more flattering than a very short fringe. You can also compare these long layered haircuts for round faces.
16. Long Layered Cut Made for a 70s Blowout
Some haircuts look good air-dried. Others truly shine after a blowout.
This long layered cut belongs in the second group.
The stylist creates several layers around the face and through the upper lengths. Each layer has enough room to curve away from the head when styled.
The blowout then makes the haircut look fuller than it actually is.
For the classic shape:
- Lift the roots.
- Direct front layers away from the face.
- Curl the ends outward.
- Let each layer cool before brushing.
- Finish with a light hold spray.
Large rollers can also help you create that soft, rounded shape without making the hair look too curled.
17. Modern 70s Layered Haircut
Want the feel of the decade without looking overly retro? A modern 70s layered haircut gives you the best balance.
The stylist keeps the main ideas: movement, face framing, airy ends, and crown volume. The difference comes from cleaner blending and softer transitions.
You can customize the cut based on your hair type.
- For fine hair: use fewer layers so the bottom still looks full.
- For thick hair: add more internal layers to remove weight.
- For straight hair: use visible face-framing sections.
- For wavy hair: let the natural bends shape the layers.
- For curly hair: build a rounded silhouette around the curl pattern.
This is one of the easiest choices if you want a retro influence while keeping the haircut easy to wear now. You can also compare it with other trendy haircuts for long hair.
FAQs
Yes. Many classic 70s styles were made for long hair. Shags, feathered cuts, curtain bangs, and long layers create movement while keeping plenty of length. The main goal is to remove weight in the right places so the hair looks softer and fuller.
The feathered layered cut is one of the most recognizable. It uses face-framing layers that sweep away from the cheeks. The long shag is another classic option, especially when paired with fringe and natural waves.
Yes, but fine hair usually looks better with fewer layers. Too many short layers can make the ends appear thin. A softer shag with long crown layers and light face framing can create movement while keeping fullness through the bottom.
Thick hair often works well with feathered layers, long shags, wolf cuts, and V-shaped cuts. These styles remove weight and help the hair move more freely. Ask your stylist to keep enough density through the ends so the haircut still looks full.
No. Bangs help create a stronger retro look, but they are optional. You can use cheekbone layers, jaw-length pieces, or collarbone-length framing instead. These longer pieces can give you a similar effect with less maintenance.
Final Thoughts
The best 70s haircuts for long hair give your length more shape without taking away what you love about having long hair.
You can go dramatic with a wolf cut, soft with Birkin fringe, glamorous with feathered layers, or relaxed with a boho shag. I would start by choosing the feature you want most: volume, bangs, movement, or face framing.
Then build the rest of the haircut around it. A few smart layers can make long hair feel completely new.
Save your favorite ideas, compare a few shapes, and bring clear examples to your next haircut.
Victoria writes practical haircut guides for HairLushly, focusing on long, medium, and short haircuts. Her content helps readers compare real-life haircut options, understand maintenance levels, and choose styles that fit their hair type, lifestyle, and daily routine.
