The history of humanity is closely linked to the evolution of hairstyles. Like many elements of history, hairstyles go through cycles of popularity, decline, and resurgence. A prime example is the perm. Once celebrated on the heads of metal singers, perms later became a staple for women seeking volume in hair salons. Today, in an unexpected twist in hair fashion, perms are embraced by Generation Z men, TikTok influencers, and even actors in their thirties.
2024 (and likely 2025) will go down in history as the year of the “broccoli haircut,”–a term increasingly used in the salons frequented by Generation Z.
Perms are making a comeback. This revival isn’t a new phenomenon. A simple walk through a shopping mall, outside a high school, at a gym, or in a town square reveals that perms are no longer just associated with old women or the stars of the 1980s and 1990s metal scenes. Generation Z has made perms their own.
Interestingly, the new trend has only captivated Gen Z men, and this is evident on social media. Typing hashtags like #permmen, #menperm, #hairperm, and #permanentkrullen or searching “Broccoli Hair” on TikTok shows just how much things are changing.
@love_curls77 EL CORTE DE PELO BRÓCOLI es un estilo de cabello que se caracteriza por capas cortas e irregulares que imitan los floretes del brócoli. El costado del cabello se puede cortar al ras o rapar muy cerca del cuero cabelludo. #hairstyles for #men #shorthair #broccoli #haircut #treanding
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More than just a passing trend. The broccoli perm phenomenon has gained significant attention and resonance beyond TikTok and Instagram. Reporters and trend experts from major publications, including NPR, GQ, The Guardian, Fast Company, and The Sydney Morning Herald, have all explored the booming popularity of perms among young men, particularly Generation Z, as part of their personal style.
The rise of this trend has also caught the attention of hair salons and beauty schools, which are no strangers to evolving styles. “There was a time when I would bang out seven or eight spiral perms for women a day, but men were rarely on board. Now the industry has changed and there’s a rise in men asking for perms,” Danielle Tedesco, a hairdressing and barbering instructor at TAFE NSW in Australia, told The Sydeny Morning Herald.
Another stylist in Australia reported an increase in clients ages 16 to 27 looking to add volume to classic mullet cuts, which were trendy in the 1980s and recently made a comeback among younger generations. “Young guys are going hard and there has been a big rise in perm requests in the past eight months. Barbers like us now offer chemical treatments, which is great for anyone who still feels strange about going into a salon,” he said.
Old style, new approaches. Just because the perm is back doesn’t mean young people are looking for the same aesthetics as the metalheads of the 1980s. In fact, over the past few months and years, new terms have emerged that reflect their desires. These include “Zoomer perm,” “alpaca haircut,” “bird’s nest,” “bussin cut,” and perhaps the most popular and descriptive of all: “broccoli perm.”
Has broccoli become an aesthetic icon? In a way, it has. The term is graphic enough that it requires little explanation and can easily be recognized in the hairstyles worn by many young Gen Z individuals. “Broccoli” refers to the shape and pattern of the hairstyle, which features cropped sides and long, layered curls on top that are combed forward. The end result resembles a bunch of broccoli with its florets. Examples (and memes) of this hairstyle are abundant on TikTok.
Conquering pop icons. However, the trend isn’t only thriving on social media platforms. A few months ago, fans of superhero movies were surprised by an unexpected twist in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. Set photos revealed David Corenswet as Clark Kent for the first time. Surprisingly, Corenswet had a distinctly different aesthetic compared to Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, and Henry Cavill, who played Superman in previous films.
“We’ve crossed a threshold.” Gone are the days of the middle parting, carefully styled hair, and discreet volume. Gunn’s portrayal of Clark Kent features tousled hair and is a clear example of the popular broccoli haircut. Interestingly, the Wikipedia page now uses Corenswet’s photo as Clark Kent to illustrate this hairstyle.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen Gen Z fashion not in an explicitly Gen Z character, but in an iconic pop culture figure,” Matthew Ellis, a Portland-based media studies professor, told GQ. “When I saw even Superman has the haircut, I was like, ‘Alright, something has happened. We’ve crossed a threshold.’”
More examples… and possible origins. Corenswet provides one of the most high-profile illustrations in recent months but isn’t alone. Influencers like Noah Beck, Jack Doherty, and Bryce Hall, and athletes such as Harvey Elliott and Darcy Byrne-Jones have all embraced this style. Successful actors like Timothée Chalamet, Jeremy Allen White, and Paul Mescal, and even K-pop stars have also jumped on the bandwagon. However, where did it all originate?
Some attribute the trend to K-pop aesthetics and the historical role of perms among men in Asian communities. Others believe its rise in popularity is linked to visibility gained on platforms like TikTok or the influence of the pandemic. On the other hand, many appreciate the cut’s comfort and practical advantages.
“Virility and identity.” The trend has been developing for some time, tracing back to at least 2020. It connects with a long-standing idea shared by Pascal Matthias, a fashion professor at Southampton University in the United Kingdom. “You can have money, wealth and power. But thick hair for men is linked to masculinity, virility and identity,” he told The Guardian. In the end, the broccoli perm has achieved a rare distinction: It’s won over Superman.
Image | Erik Drost
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