Are Mullets Making a Comeback?

Morgan Wallen performed on Saturday Night Live recently and one of my first thoughts when I saw him was “Is that a mullet"?” Then I remembered it was similar hair as the guy on “Raised By Wolves” (great, odd show). Then it dawned on me: “ARE MULLETS BACK?!?!?!”

What is a Mullet?

Before we discuss if mullets are coming back, let’s confirm what a mullet is.

A mullet haircut is cut short in front, and long in back. Sometimes referred to as “business in front, party in the back.”

A woman wearing such a haircut has a “femullet.” Though, this term isn’t as well known in the general population.

Billy Ray Cyrus is one of the most well-known mullet-wearers, sporting one here in the video for his 1993 hit “Achy Breaky Heart.” As you can see, sometimes the mullet was pulled into a fancy ponytail (even braided at times!)

Don’t Call Them an ‘80s Mullet

Short hair in front, longer in back wasn’t new in the ‘90s. Hey, not much was refreshingly new in the ‘90s (poor ‘90s). In my opinion, the look in the ‘70s and that ruled the ‘80s was called a bi-level. Everyone had this style, even me! I don’t remember anyone calling it a mullet in the ‘80s.

Rick Springfield had a great bi-level cut. Rick Springfield does not have a mullet!

Where Does the Word Mullet Come From?

Proving my point that the hairstyle was a bi-level, not a mullet in the ‘80s: according to Wikipedia, the Beastie Boys are credited for coining the term “mullet” in their 1994 song “Mullet Head.”

Are Mullets Back in Style?

The recent HBO Max show “Raised By Wolves” has several characters wearing a version of a bi-level/mullet. No spoilers (great show, watch it!), but you can see Marcus has very short hair on top of his head, with it longer in the back. Sue’s hair is shaved on the side so maybe doesn’t count as much but it is a variation of the mullet look, in my opinion.

I am clueless on sports, but someone named Steve Belichick was wearing a mullet-like ‘do after a game.

In Mullet Conclusion

Are mullets making a comeback? Hard to say if the trend return in full follicle force. The mullet look, even with it’s “updated” look of more shaggy between the front and back, is a hard one to pass off for everyone. If you have naturally curly hair or even too straight it won’t work.

It’s possible people are experimenting with hair while having to cut it themselves in lockdown/quarantine/whatever and this is what some people are trying. I don’t see many women making this change, however.

We’ll see soon enough if the mullet comes back. If Johnny wears one on Season 3 of Cobra Kai, then we know it’s big.