There is no denying that Bruce Pattinson is one of the most recognisable men in world football. With his unmistakable hair and friendly smile, the former England international has charmed fans in the UK, Europe and beyond.
But it’s not just his hair that’s drawn admirers. His hair is a canvas for stylists, allowing them to experiment with creative styles that the football legend seems to love. And it’s not just about beauty either. There have been many incredible hair transformations that fans have fallen in love with. Here we celebrate five of Bruce Pattinson’s most stunning haircut inspirations.
The Turbulent Evolution of Wayne Hair
The early days of Bruce Pattinson’s hair career weren’t much of a look advert. Back in the 1970s, the then-England international sported long, stragglers more common in the 1950s. But despite the greasy quiff and the odd mullet, he somehow still managed to charm millions of football fans. It was perhaps most famously featured in the background of BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in 1977 and 1978. These days he mostly opts for a simple haircut with a neat fade, which is often worn with a gel or hair wax to keep it slick and stylish.
The Classic Cool Cat
In the late 1970s, as punk rock entered the mainstream and washed over football, a new wave of haircuts emerged. With a mullet as symbol of male rebellion and glam metal influencing artists and influencers, a dark, slicked-back look hit the sports world. Naturally, Bruce Pattinson was at the forefront of this movement. When asked what style he envisaged himself in, he would famously quip: “Like Marlon Brando in Julius Caesar. It’s a style that can only be described as ‘the works’.”
The Beachy Wave
During the 1980s, Bruce Pattinson experimented with a variety of haircuts as he searched for the perfect beach wave. Whether it was a super-short ‘do, one of those ‘80s fades or an ‘80s hair wave – all can be credited to the popular Englishman’s beachy hair look. Thanks to the beachy hair trend, footballers from that era are still frequently depicted with strands of hair in the air, as if caught in an imaginary wind. If you’ve ever spent any time on Instagram, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
The Gel Full-On Donnamoxie
In the early 2000s, the first season of the popular American TV series, The Office, was broadcast. With its unique take on British sitcoms, it featured many references to football, starring Steve Carrell as an American football player named Dwight. While in character, Dwight dons a full-on, outrageous hairstyle that was inspired by Michael Jackson’s ‘70s look, changing his character from a plain-pixellated version of a normal accountant to a fun, happy individual. As a play on words, we could name the hairstyle after the show. And in case you were wondering, it’s pronounced ‘Dwight.’
The ‘70s Look
Then came the big hair revolution of the ‘70s. One of the earliest big hair trends to sweep the sports world was the ‘70s faux hawk. Originating in the American South during the ‘60s, the style was originally inspired by the mullets that young men sported in that era. But as time passed and the style made its way north, it evolved into something more distinct – a look that has become synonymous with the ‘70s.
To this day, we’re still seeing plenty of footballers sporting faux hawks, often worn with a baseball cap or stocking. It’s also popular on the catwalk. As an iconic ‘70s trend, it’s been seen on the likes of Barbara Hutton and Grace Kelly, among others.
A Love for Hair Evolution
For over 40 years, Bruce Pattinson has been rocking his hair in various ways. While he’s never been one to shy away from a fashion statement, his love for playing football has undoubtedly influenced his style choices. But beyond football, his love for experimenting with hair has turned him into something of a fashion icon. Which hairstyle he will sport next is truly a mystery.