The Side Ponytail Is Back!
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Remember this hairstyle from the 80s?
If you are a child of the 80s, you probably remember wearing this awesometastic 'do.
According to Urban Dictionary, the side ponytail was a pretty awesome hairstyle that was popular with girls in the late 1960s and again in the mid-1980s. Since I wasn't around during the 60s, I am focusing on how I saw the trend in the eighties. It was recently paid homage to by the movie Napoleon Dynamite in which Napoleon's love interest Deb (played by actress Tina Majorino, see photo on the left) sports it nicely.
Well guess what, the 'do has made a comeback! Please read on to see how it looked back in the eighties and what the updated side ponytail looks like now.
Photo is a screen grab from a scene in the 2004 flick Napoleon Dynamite
The Side Ponytail: Then and Now
How it was seen in the 80s and the updated look for the new millenium.
The 80s style side pony was a ponytail positioned high on either the left or right side of the head. It was commonly paired with heavily-gelled spiky bangs and huge colorful plastic earrings. Sometimes girls would sport it higher than usual, supported by layers of thick elastic bands or ribbon, like in the photo to the right.
And now, more than twenty years later, fashion blogs and magazines have reported that the side ponytail has made a comeback but in a subtler, softer and more elegant fashion. The updated version is positioned lower, just off center near the nape of the neck, as seen on Carrie Underwood in the photo below. 
I personally think that the side ponytail is pretty and, if done in the updated version, classy and definitely more interesting than the regular pony. I never wore it high on my head back when I was a teen in the 80s although I do remember sporting it that way when I attended a retro costume party a few years ago.
(Photo credits: 80s high side pony / Carrie Underwood photo)
Will you wear the side ponytail?
Let's discuss!
So... is this 'do from the 80s really back? Are you willing to wear it again, either in classic 80s fashion or with a contemporary spin? Please do share your thoughts here!
(Photo shared by StarMama on Flickr)
Will you wear the side ponytail?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byOf course! It's totally rad.
Laughlots01 says:
I let it hang lose! i love side pony-tails!
Posted January 16, 2012
Mary says:
YESSSS! if only my hair was longer.. -_-. Id wear it the 80s style way but not as high, I'd let the hair fall down to the side of my ear. If my hair was longer and I didn't have neck fat Id wear it this way ALL THE TIME! woo.
Posted December 31, 2011
Vanessaaa says:
HELLZ YA
Posted December 11, 2011
wrinklestudent says:
I love having a side pony. It keeps the hair out of my face and is super cute, but requires almost no effort.
Posted October 13, 2011
star says:
i like it
Posted September 27, 2011
No way, Jose.
lovelylashes says:
Honestly, I think it is so ugly, especially when worn high on the head! The new look is better but my bra strap length hair just doesn't do it justice.
Posted November 18, 2010
Ramkitten says:
I think I'll stick with the alligator clip in the back of the head 'do. Somehow, whenever I tried a side-tail back in the day, it always migrated toward the back of my head. Weird.
Posted December 21, 2009
How to wear the side ponytail, 80s style
Brave enough to wear it the eighties way? Follow these tips.
Feeling kinda retro?
Here are tips to get an authentic 80s side ponytail look.
It's fairly easy to sport the side ponytail in 80s fashion, just follow these tips:
1. Twirl your hair around a curling iron. Better yet, crimp some angular waves into it. Remember, curly hair was in vogue during that decade.
2. Gather all of your hair into one side and secure it with an elastic band. If your hair isn't long enough, you may also slather on some styling mousse first so that the style will hold.
3. Secure all stray hairs in place with colored bobby pins.
Here's a selection of scrunchies and banana clips which were totally awesome ponytail holders back in the 80s. Wear your high side ponytail loud and proud with these colorful retro hair accessories.
(Photo from Bella Sugar)
How to wear the updated side ponytail
Three stylish and contemporary looks you can try out!
Tutorial 1: A simple side ponytail with a twist
A pretty and elegant update to the retro side ponytail.
This side ponytail is positioned lower on the head and features an easy and elegant twist. It is then accessorized with a jewel-crusted ponytail holder. Check out the short video for the instructions.
France Luxe Pave Peony Swarovski Ponytail Holder
Tutorial 2: A quick and stylish side ponytail
Another cute update to the 80s side pony.
This side ponytail is quite different in that it begins with a half ponytail. The rest of the hair is then gathered toward it with a jaw clip. Watch the short tutorial for the instructions.
Chic jaw clips for this particular side pony style.
Tutorial 3: A braided side ponytail
A sophisticated look you can wear to parties and other formal events.
This style starts with a french braid up on one side of the head which ends on the nape of the opposite side. Very chic and elegant. Watch the tutorial below.
France Luxe Classic Rectangle Ponytail Holder
Add a touch of romance to your side ponytail
Get romantic, flowy curls with the Conair CD82ZCS Instant Heat 1-1/4-Inch Curling Iron.
Ever wanted flowing, princess-style curls? This curling iron is the answer.
Conair CD82ZCS Instant Heat Curling Iron, 1.25 Inch
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Conair's 1-1/4-inch curling iron is ideal for creating those big bouncing curls. Featuring dual voltage settings, the iron lets you select either standard North American 125-volt or 250-volt foreign electricity operation, so you can use your curler when you're traveling abroad. Its sure-grip handle has a patented design for greater control and precision, and the electronic on/off touch pad is easy to use.
Look at all these people talking about the side ponytail!
Let's see how they're choosing to wear it, shall we.
- Like How Your Hair Hangs? Praise the Laws of Physics
- More recently, Joseph B. Keller, a Stanford mathematician, figured out why the ponytails of joggers sway from side to side, instead of up and down with the jogger's head. He found that the up-and-down motion was unstable, and that the ponytail could ...
- Refined, with a side of wacky
- Among the glitterati was Adele, who traded in her bouffant ponytail for shoulder-length loose hair and wore a custom Giorgio Armani gown with black sequins, mesh overlay and three-quarter-length sleeves. Bruno Mars didn't have sparkle, but he did shine ...
- FASHION WEEK: Victory Roll at Jenny Packham
- Bring the right side of the rolled up and over to the left, covering any gaps at the front; secure with pins. Repeat for left side (up and over to right). Spray the back ponytail with hairspray and tease generously. Cover the teased ponytail with a ...
- Baftas and Grammys 2012 best and worst-dressed: Liz Jones on the fashion hits ...
- By Liz Jones On Sunday, two of the biggest style events, the Baftas and the Grammys, went head-to-head either side of the Atlantic. So who came out top: movie stars or musicians? The main hurdle on the red carpet at the Baftas was that it was freezing, ...
What else are people saying about the side ponytail?
Check out these Twitter updates.
Listen to "Side Ponytail"
An 80s style punk rock track by indie pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart are an indie pop band from New York City and their 2009 single "Come Saturday" was released along with B-side "Side Ponytail", a short chainsaw buzzing pop song wherein singer Kip Berman declares "Side pony tail forever!". Do you agree?
How about some 80s side ponytail tees?
Shirts that feature the ubiquitous 80s hairstyle.
What do you think of the side ponytail?
Are you set to welcome this trend back?
Share your thoughts here! Feedback on this page is most welcome too.
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cyberjob008
Sep 30, 2011 @ 7:45 am | delete
- I do not like side ponytails, but they look good on some people. It depends.
Check out latest hairstyles> on http://www.fashionin.net/lifestyle
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StellaSingles
Jul 1, 2011 @ 11:53 am | delete
- great lens, some of those pictures were just hilarious.
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GrowWear
Sep 16, 2010 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- The side pony tail coming back is nice, but if they come back with those bangs from the 80s, well, I might just run and hide. :D
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ClaudeKinney
May 11, 2010 @ 8:47 am | delete
- Excellent Lens!! I enjoyed reading it.
I'd Love for you to visit my lens & give me some feedback.
Best Flat Iron
Straightening Iron
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eclecticeducation
Mar 26, 2010 @ 12:02 am | delete
- lol!!! Wow! I so remember this. Yes, i wore my hair like that at times and thought it was so cool. lol!!! I can't believe it is making a comeback. Great lens. Blessed by an Angel.
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by arncyn
I design retro graphic tees & funky wedding invitations and blog about asian pop culture in my free time. I'm also the designated Squid Angel for Weddings:... more »
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