Having never lived through the 80s, I can easily slip on my rose coloured specs and relive the grandest parts of the decade- courtesy of Madonna and Pretty in Pink. I sense this is likewise the case with other post 80s babies. Being nostalgic for a time you’ve never experienced (call it faux nostalgia) has its perks though. When 80s trends re-emerge in contemporary fashion- the bubble skirt, shoulder pads and bike shorts- they are embraced by us young ones with gusto. Apparently real 80's survivors run in the opposite direction. It’s understandable. In twenty years time, I’d baulk at the sight of 16-20 somethings in jeggings. What am I saying, I already do that.

 The latest 80‘s ‘trend’ to be offered redemption is the undercut. Recently touted by A Current Affair as the hottest new hairstyle, its got Tracy Grimshaw and her football shoulder blazers nodding in approval. The thing is, A Current Affair’s trend reports are at least a year behind so if you’re a frequent visitor to this site, chances are you‘re already scoffing. But lets not be snobbish about trends.

Contrary to its 80’s roots, the undercut is now commonly accompanied by natural waves rather than a frizzy perm ala Cyndi Lauper. Since Alice Dellal hit the it girl circuit in 2007-8 shaving half your head has been the look du-jour, provided you had the balls and/or bone structure for it. It’s most flattering with long hair cascading down one side of the face and effectively turns long haired fairy girls into badass Neo Goths.

 For boys the undercut paired with a side fringe has been promoted to the chief indie hair style. It’s also been seen with the edgy blunt bowl cut that’s come back with such force-I‘m sure Spock would be proud.

 What I am not convinced about however is the faux undercut. It was rather sweet at Marnie Skillings SS09 (half the model’s hair was slicked back and pinned under the other side) but let’s face it, with an undercut, it should be all or nothing. Would Lady Gaga wear a kitten heel? And while I’m on the subject, don’t give me that half corn-rowed hybrid either. Trying to be both ghetto and punk does not work. Hence why such a thing as ghutto is neither a musical genre or style.

 In my experience, Melbourne girls seem to have no qualms with undercuts. To put it simply, they look hot. Coincidentally though, the girls with the best undercuts also have a figure like Alice Dellal and an avant garde style to match. I suppose the conclusion to be drawn here is that attitude is a prerequisite for this look. Undercuts go hand in hand with a ‘no apologies style’ and that’s how it should be.

Photos: Max Sanderson