The mullet may be one of the most divisive hairstyles there is, but if you were in doubt about its appeal today, look to Charlize Theron sporting the cut in the chicest way possible.
At the Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) 2022 Summer Block Party, the actress debuted a jet-black mullet, dressed in top-to-toe Dior. While the hairstyle may be for professional reasons – she’s reprising her part as Andy in The Old Guard – Theron is not the only A-lister to have recently pulled off the cut with aplomb.
From Kristen Stewart to Miley Cyrus, the red-carpet mullet is increasingly commonplace, but the resurgence in Hollywood and beyond can be contributed to several factors.
Firstly, pop culture references, from Tiger King to Stranger Things, have played a part. As has high-fashion – the mullet has been sent down major runways over the last few years, including Balenciaga and Kenzo.
Then there’s the role social media plays in the popularity of a hairstyle. According to analysis by hair brand Cloud Nine, the mullet is currently the leading Eighties hair trend on TikTok, with 6.7 billion views of videos baring the hashtag, a 90 per cent weekly increase. The more you see it, the more you want it, so it seems.
Plus, there’s the impact of the pandemic. Spending so much time indoors left many of us craving a transformative look, and the Marmite-esque mullet demands attention. With its rebellious nod, it requires guts. In turn – as Charlize et al demonstrate – it oozes confidence. And who doesn't want that?
