Sexy Twists on Vintage Classics

Whether it’s Mozart, a Chanel suit, or Swiss Gruyere paired with a smooth Cab, one thing remains true: Classic never goes out of style. It’s a sentiment that constantly echoes throughout the worlds of both fashion and beauty, and hair is no exception. When it comes to women’s hair, there are several styles that will remain in the fashion canon and grace future runways for years to come. We love when a spicy trend can be added to a vintage staple. To accomplish a modern vintage look, celebrity stylist Sean James tells us, “for classic looks the most important thing is using the right product to set and hold the hair and give it modern texture.” Heeding his expert advice, we’ve curated a list of our favorite classic looks and added ways to give it a fresh sexy feel! 

The Marilyn

The Marilyn is actually a rendition of an even older classic style. This style utilizes rollers or a ceramic curling iron (such as the Platform Bounce Pro Curler) to create curls that ooze sophistication. Typically, these locks live close to the head. For a more modern approach, we suggest letting the curls fall further from the scalp and allowing them to billow by brushing them out and using less hairspray. It’s a great look for wine night with the girls or a special occasion.

The Jackie

If you’re going for a look of allure that is borderline unapproachable, we suggest trying out The Jackie. Paired with some blacked-out sunnies, this is a look that could kill. Although it evokes class with a capital C, it’s actually a great look to try if you are having a bad hair day. Simply wrap the scarf around your head to hide the hair. If you don’t want to hide the hair completely, you can try taming it with a thermal brush like the Stylus Pro. We wouldn’t suggest wearing the style on a date (unless you’re ready to scare the pants off your date, to which we applaud you), but rather wearing it on a swanky vacation or to a bougie brunch. Of course, you’ll need a scarf handy (Hermès, anyone?). To modernize the look, we suggest letting some hippie-chic tendrils daintily fall from the front of the scarf.

The Bardot

Brigitte Bardot is someone who exemplifies sensuality. Her famous ponytail is perhaps the sexiest style on our list. The plump teased ponytail creates the ‘come-hither’ effect that is both inviting and scandalous all at once. Often, this look is accompanied by bangs or loose hair in the front; however, to spice up the look, we suggest pulling all of the hair back into a voluminous bump. Or, you can pull the hair into a slick, tight ponytail and tease onlythe loose hair! To boost volume, we suggest blow-drying your hair first with a lightweight but powerful dryer or adding a root lift spray. This is a great look for a dinner date or an elegant soirée.

The Audrey

Audrey Hepburn is famous for her ability to make glamorous feel approachable (and her outstanding acting performances, of course). One of her most famous looks was her iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s top bun. The vintage style is fairly complex and requires quite a bit of styling and hairspray. The same idea can be achieved through a top knot. Additionally, we think a messier version is actually sexier. If you are into the messy top knot, you can simply slick back your hair into a breezy bun at the top of your head, just beyond your crown. The messier the better!

The Cher

This is a great look for almost any occasion, and very easy to achieve! All it really involves is a middle part, a powerful straightener like the Platform Plus Curve, and hair smoothing serum. This is also a look that translates from generation to generation, and we suggest keeping it as-is rather than adding any more elements to it! The key here is in the simplicity, which allows it to be both edgy and soft all at once. It’s so chic and classic that it has remained powerful throughout the decades.