Shag Haircut 101: 70s Shags, Wolf Cuts & Mullets
The shag has never really gone away. It just keeps reinventing itself.
It began as a messy, rock ’n’ roll 70s haircut, came back through alternative scenes, appeared on red carpets and eventually became the wolf cut, the shullet and about twenty other things people argue about online.
That’s part of the reason we like it. There isn’t one correct version.
A shag can be soft and floaty, choppy and dramatic, long and rock ’n’ roll, short and a bit punk, curly, wavy, androgynous or completely your own thing.
So, what actually is a shag?
A shag usually has layers through the crown, movement around the sides, shorter pieces around the face and a fringe or bangs.
The ends are often choppy or separated rather than perfectly blunt. It should feel lived-in and move naturally, rather than looking like every hair has been persuaded to stand in exactly the same place.
The length can be anything from a short crop to long hair below the shoulders. The layers can be subtle or dramatic, and the fringe can be soft, short, curtain-like or unapologetically in your face.
There’s probably a shag in there somewhere for most people. We just need to work out which one.
Shag, wolf cut, shullet or mullet?
The names overlap, which is why searching for haircut inspiration can get confusing quickly.
A classic shag usually has softer layers and a more blended shape. It often feels relaxed, textured and wearable.
A wolf cut tends to have more contrast between the shorter layers on top and the longer lengths underneath. It can feel fuller, more dramatic and a little more deliberately chaotic.
A shullet sits somewhere between a shag and a mullet. It has the movement of a shag with a stronger shape through the back.
A mullet usually has a clearer difference between the shorter front and sides and the longer back. It can be subtle, extreme, neat, messy or anything in between.
You do not need to decide which word is technically correct before your appointment. Bring us the pictures you like and we can work out what is actually happening in them.
Can you have a shag with straight, wavy or curly hair?
Yes, although the haircut will behave differently depending on your texture.
Straight hair can show off the shape and separation very clearly, so the layers need to be balanced carefully to avoid making it feel too thin.
Wavy hair often works beautifully with a shag because the natural movement helps create the shape. We can encourage the wave rather than fighting it into submission.
Curly hair needs a little more planning. Curl pattern, shrinkage and density all affect where the layers should sit. Sometimes we will keep more length or weight in certain areas so the curls have room to form properly.
Fine hair can absolutely have a shag too. It does not have to mean removing loads of hair. Thick or dense hair can benefit from layers that release some weight while keeping the overall shape strong.
What about a razor-cut shag?
Many shags are created with a razor because it can create softness, separation and movement without leaving a hard, blunt line.
At RCNQ, we choose the technique around your hair and the result you want. That might mean a razor, scissors or a combination of both.
A razor is not automatically right for every texture, so your hair’s condition, density, curl pattern and previous haircut history all matter. You can read more about our approach on our Razor Cuts Manchester page.
How do you style a shag?
The general idea is not to make it too neat.
For waves and curls, apply a small amount of product to damp hair, scrunch it into place and let the texture do its thing. A diffuser can help if you want more volume.
For straighter hair, a little texture spray, styling cream or dry shampoo can help bring out the layers. You can also add waves with a styling tool if you want a more finished look.
The shag should not require a daily battle. It might need a little encouragement, but it should still have some personality when you do very little to it.
What should you bring to your appointment?
You do not need to know whether you want a shag, wolf cut or shullet before you arrive.
Bring screenshots, saved posts, Pinterest boards, old photographs or even a badly drawn picture on your phone. We genuinely do not mind.
It can be more useful to show us details from a few different images:
“I like this fringe.”
“I want this amount of movement.”
“I like the length here.”
“I do not want the sides to be this short.”
We will talk through what is realistic for your hair, how much styling you want to do and what you want the haircut to feel like when you leave.
Shags at RCNQ
We have cut lots of different versions of the shag over the years, and no two have been exactly the same.
That is the good bit.
The best shag is not necessarily the one that looks most impressive in a photograph. It is the one that works with your hair, your face, your lifestyle and the way you actually want to look.
If you are thinking about a shag, wolf cut, shullet or textured mullet, take a look at our Razor Cuts Manchester page or book your haircut at RCNQ.
Bring the pictures. We’ll work out the rest together.