5 Simple Hair Hacks to Recreating Your Favorite Old-School Styles

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

When you look at the Fall 2016 runways — the place countless trends are born — you may feel nostalgic for your middle-school days. Styles from the '90s such Topsy Turvy ponytails, teased '80s hair, and girlish pigtails are making a comeback.

These old-school trends were reimagined in modern ways. For instance, Preen made us want to embrace scarf headbands, while Prabal Gurung sent his models down the runway with inverted ponytails (re: the Topsy Tail). And, Michael Kors showed us pigtails that you'll want to wear IRL.

"As always, everything old is new." said Kerastase consulting hairstylist Matt Fugate. "Everything gets done again in time, but with a new modern-day twist. This is mainly due to social media and the access that people have to get themselves out there. You can play with so many looks from so many eras. My best advice is to have fun with it. Add your own spin on the trends!"

To help you do that, Matt broke down simple steps to take to recreate some of your favorite throwback styles with a modern twist. —additional reporting and styled by Rachel Adler

Makeup by Angela Calvin of Blushington salon in NYC.

Grown-Woman Pigtails

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The throwback look: Pigtails. "I think it’s safe to say almost all girls have rocked pigtails in their lifetime — from when you were a little kid to Pippy Longstocking's signature 'do," said Fugate.

Runway spotted at: Michael Kors Fall 2016

The update: "For the new twist on the look, this is definitely what I would call the cool-girl balanced pigtail,'" he explained. "Essentially, this look takes the old-school pigtail and makes it a more vertically parallel pigtail. Instead of having your pigtails stick out to the side like when you were little, you do a lower placement, almost bringing the pigtails completely to the back of the head."

Grown-Woman Pigtails

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

DIY it: "It is all about balanced sectioning with this look," Fugate started. "Part hair where you want it. For this one, we did a side part, but when we sectioned off the pigtail, we ensured that they were the same in size. Feel the density of your hair as you pull the tails back, as you don’t want one pigtail looking strong or one wimpy."

Secure the tails at the nape of the neck, and make sure it looks super parallel. "The closer they get together the cooler," he added.

Grown-Woman Pigtails

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Forgoing traditional elastics will also update your double ponytails.

"A fun twist on the look is to wrap the pigtails in elastic twine vs. rubber bands. This gives it a little more attitude," Fugate explained. "The twine also gives you control when styling the hair. And, it helps to avoid bumps and rigidness in the hair that elastics can cause. When you are wrapping the twine, it is locking the hair in place, rather than using a rubber band moving the hair around a lot as you flip the hair into the band loop."

To secure the tails, hold the pigtail where you want it to stay, then wrap the twine around. "Once you start wrapping, you can’t really move it around as you can with rubber bands," Fugate said.

Grown-Woman Pigtails

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Fugate added that you can have fun with it choosing twine with different thickness or colors that contrast with your hair. Try black on blonde or a bright statement shade on brunette. You can also try ribbons, shoelaces, or any other crafty tie of your choice.

Unfussy Ballerina Bun

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The throwback look: "Remember going to Ballet class and having to rock the ballerina bun?" said Fugate. "Or even just a normal bun that we used to do right at the back of the head? "Well this new topknot takes a more edgy look."

The update: "This is no longer the tightly-wrapped ballet bun," he described. "This one is effortless and a statement. The higher you move the bun on the head, the cooler it becomes. You want to make people stop and look at your hair. Rock this bun, and your hair will be the first thing that people notice."

Runway spotted at: Thakoon Fall 2016, created by Odile Gilbert for Kerastase Paris

Unfussy Ballerina Bun

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

DIY it: Start by pulling all of your hair on the very top of your head, and secure it with an elastic.

Unfussy Ballerina Bun

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Twist the loose hair of the tail, and keep turning it until it coils into a tight bun bun. "The twisting of the hair helps the bun take shape," Fugate explained. "This look is awesome for girls with a ton of hair!"

Wrap hair around the secured elastic area. "Have fun with this part — there is no 'perfect' way to do it," he added. "Embrace the different shapes of the twist. The end look should be something that is 'perfectly imperfect.'"

Unfussy Ballerina Bun

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Use hair pins to keep it in place and centered. If you have trouble getting your pins to stay, Fugate advises spraying them with a dry shampoo for more grip.

Unfussy Ballerina Bun

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Let the wispy pieces fall around your face to give it even more of an effortless vibe. The less you look like you tried, the more modern it is.

Not-Your-Prom Braided Chignon

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The throwback look: "Updos and chignons used to be an old, stuffy look," Fugate said. "We’d rock it at homecoming and prom, but never for the everyday look. This new take on the chignon challenges just that. It's more wearable. The twists and shape it takes on makes it edgier and funky. Girls experiment more and more with their hair, and I think the quickness of this style and the ability to actually do it at home makes it even better."

The update: "The braids are the key to taking this look to the next-level and making it more modern and cool," he said. "Braids are having their moment, and you can do so much with them from a three-strand to fishtail and more. As we go into Fall, this braided chignon takes a different approach to braids versus the festival-style braids we rocked in the Summer."

Runway spotted at: Marchesa Fall 2016

Not-Your-Prom Braided Chignon

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

DIY it: Start by creating a ponytail at the nape of the neck, and then wrap half of the ponytail around the elastic. Add hair pins for extra holding power.

Not-Your-Prom Braided Chignon

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Create a three-strand braid with the "tail," and secure it with an elastic.

Not-Your-Prom Braided Chignon

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Wrap the braid around into a bun shape and pin it. "Because it is bound at the nape and bound at the tail, it makes it so much easier to wrap and looks cool at every angle," Fugate said.

Not-Your-Prom Braided Chignon

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

While it appears to be complicated, your friends will never know it's just a three-strand braid and a ponytail!

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The throwback look: "Throwing it back to the '90s now!" Fugate said. "The Topsy Tail was every girl’s go-to back in the day, and it is actually my new partner in crime lately. The Topsy Tail was an essential tool to help easily create lopped ponytails, but they’re not just for that typical ponytail that you used to do!"

The update: "Now, we can make cool updos and looks with a throwback tool," he explained. "This helps bring the craft of hair artistry into your home, and gives girls the power to do fun updos themselves. I am a huge proponent on making use of old things and bringing new light to them. Topsy Tails do so much more than create that ponytail we grew to love. You can create sick updos, tuck in fly-aways, weave in stray hairs in braids, etc."

Runway spotted at: Prabal Gurung Fall 2016 featured an twisted "Topsy Tail" ponytail

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

DIY it: Create two pony tails: one at the crown to top of the head and one towards the middle of the head/nape of the neck, and secure them with elastics. "These will act as your base and will also be rolled inside out and will become the texture to the updo," Fugate explained.

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

First, create a flipped ponytail on your top section. To do this, use the Topsy Tail tool or make a hole on top of the elastic with your finger, and pull the tail over the top and through it.

Then, create a second identical style on the bottom section, using the loose hair from both ponytails. The Topsy Tail can guide both ponytails into the space right above the elastic of the bottom pony, or try the trick with your fingers from above.

"Basically, thread the tail behind the elastic (close to your scalp), then pull the hair through the loop and pull the Topsy through when you are done with this step," Fugate advises.

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

"When you are done with this step, it should look like the top pony and bottom pony were flipped into the bottom to create one large pony that hangs low at the nape of your neck," Fugate noted.

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Once ponytails are combined, twist the loose tail until it is taut (the same way you create a topknot above.
"Once it is really twisted and roped, you can start draping it around the nape and pin it in place, Fugate said. "This is when the fun begins. Be playful here. The whole look is sort of je ne sais quoi, and no two will look the same."

Use hair pins to secure your work in place, and set with hairspray.

Double Topsy Tail Updo

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

From the side, it looks like a chic updo that extends from the crown to the nape. An average French twist this is not!

Crown Heights

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

The throwback look: "In the '80s, teasing the hair was something everyone did — the bigger the hair, the better," Fugate said. "Head scarves have had a couple different appearances throughout hair history, from the '40s-war era to the '70s hippie-chic style."

The update: "Teasing is no longer something that has to stay in the '80s, nor do head scarves have to stay in the '40s and '70s," he explained. "For this look, it is all about mixing the eras together to create a superchic, rocker-girl style. The combination of the teased, texturized look and the head scarf creates more impact and interest. The hair sort of takes on a '50s – '60s [Brigitte] Bardot style, yet mixed with the turban-like headscarf, you modernize the look."

Runway spotted at: Preen Fall 2016

Crown Heights

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

DIY it: Tease hair and do a combed-back style, leaving the rest of the hair textured and messy. To tease hair, gently rub a comb back and forth.

Crown Heights

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Solution: Work from your forehead back towards the crown, with the amount of hair you'd grab to pull it into a half-up style. Once you're done teasing, secure the half-back section with a clear elastic.

Crown Heights

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Tie your scarf however you'd like around your crown, covering the elastic. If you feel you need extra hold, pin it into place. The hidden mini ponytail helps keep that volume from falling.

"You can have fun here," Fugate added. "Pair the teased look with a more subtle headband or smaller scarf. Or even grab some chic barrettes and hair accessories. It's about experimentation!"

We used a Cult Gaia Turband ($60).

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