Tubular! The Mall Bangs Are Back and Gen X Is Here for It (Or Not)

Mall bangs are often voluminous, wispy pieces that pair nicely with a side part and bouncy tresses. As Ransom explains, “Mall bangs are big, bouncy and full of attitude. They’re not just simple forehead fringe—they’re styled, fluffed up and often curled or flipped to create even more volume.” 

If they look rather familiar, all the icons of the ‘80s and ‘90s were sporting this look, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Pamela Anderson and even beloved characters like DJ Tanner from Full House. In the middle of perms and mullets, mall bangs were the *it* fringe to rock during those eras—even if it’s making some nostalgic or feeling full on-cringe in their seats right now. 

Ah, remember a time when malls were a thing? “The name ‘mall bangs’ comes from their peak popularity in the 1980s, when teenagers and young adults often sported this hairstyle while hanging out at shopping malls. The look became a defining feature of that era’s fashion, frequently seen in movies, TV shows, and pop culture,” explains Cavalcante. Today, celebs like Keke Palmer, Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter are showing off their own version of mall bangs—even if they haven’t set foot in a local Bath & Body Works in years. 

First and foremost, come prepared with photos of your desired fringe. It’s helpful to find images similar to your hair type and face shape. It will give you a better idea of what your new cut can possibly look like, so no surprises here. Once you finish the consultation, Cavalcante suggests asking your stylist for thin, voluminous bangs for soft layering, a feathery texture to avoid heaviness and a slightly curved shape to blend nicely into the rest of the hair. He adds, “If you want a more dramatic ‘80s effect, request more height and teasing.” 

Can All Hair Types Rock Mall Bangs?

Both hairstylists say it’s best for medium to thick hair, however finer locks can still try their hand in the trend—they’ll  just need a little more volume and styling products to keep their bouncy bangs. In regards to hair type, Ransom went into more detail on how to style your fringe. “If you have straight hair, you’ll need more teasing and texturizing spray to the volume, whereas wavy hair can use their natural texture to add movement, but can use a blow dryer and round brush to give it more shape.” She continues, “As for curly and coily hair, you may need to stretch the bangs first with a blow dryer before styling. A larger curling iron or a round brush with tension will help smooth while keeping volume.”