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Bangs (North American English) or afringe (British English,Australian English andNew Zealand English) are strands or locks ofhair that fall over the scalp's front hairline to cover theforehead, usually just above theeyebrows, though can range to various lengths. While most modern Western hairstyles cut the bangs straight, they may also be shaped in an arc or left ragged.
The termbangs originally referred to hair cutbang-off (i.e., straight across at the front), although the term is now applied to diverse forms of hair styling. It is probably related tobang-tail, a term still used for the practice of cutting horses' tails straight across.[1] The termfringe refers to the resemblance of the short row of hair to ornamental fringe trim, such as those often found onshawls.[citation needed]
Bangs were worn by both men and women inancient Egypt,ancient Greece, and in theRoman Empire. Hair styles that included bangs can be seen on men and women in artwork of theMiddle Ages. During theElizabethan era and theRenaissance, European men continued to wear bangs, but they were out of style for women. Clergy cautioned against bangs in the 1600s as a sign of a vanity and "a slide into mortal sin".[2]
Bangs, often curled, regained popularity among women in theVictorian era. The "Alexandra fringe", a mass of short, frizzy bangs named forAlexandra of Denmark, became popular in the 1880s.[2] In the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bangs were popular among young female immigrants because the hair covering the forehead helped hide skin blemishes such as smallpox scars and acne which, popular magazines assured them, prevented them from looking like authentic Americans.[3]
Bangs continued to remain popular through the twentieth century in various styles, such as the "Dutchboy bob",Mamie Eisenhower's short waved bangs, andAudrey Hepburn'spixie cut. Among men however, bangs were for decades pretty much uncommon before the early 1960s. That didn't change until therise of british Beatbands such asthe Beatles from about 1963 on. Their hairstyles included bangs and became popular with men.[2]
In 2007, bangs saw another massive revival as a hair trend, this time thick, deep and blunt-cut. In October 2007, style icon and modelKate Moss changed her hairstyle to have bangs, signaling the continuation of the trend into 2008.[4] Fringes also had another revival during the 2020s, particularly self-styled curtain bangs, mainly on social media apps such asTikTok.[5][6]
Recent research has emphasized the role of fringe hairstyles in enhancing facial aesthetics and shaping first impressions. A 2022 study by Park and Jang analyzed the relationship between hairline types and fringe styles, noting that hair accounts for over 70% of a person's perceived appearance.[7] The study classified five primary hairline shapes: round, heart, angular, triangular, and flat and proposed corresponding fringe styles to complement each type:
Choppy bangs: Suited for round hairlines; create a youthful, textured look.
Heart bangs: Designed for heart-shaped hairlines with natural partings or swirls.
Feather bangs: Appropriate for angular hairlines; add softness and asymmetry.
Blunt bangs: Ideal for triangular hairlines; convey a bold and structured appearance.
See-through bangs: Matched to flat hairlines; offer a light and airy style that avoids visual heaviness.
These combinations were developed through empirical modeling using wig prototypes and are intended to serve as educational resources in cosmetology and hairstyling.[7]
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Media related toFringe (hair) at Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition ofbangs (hair) at Wiktionary