— Edward Hopper

Usually associated with big voices, loud guitars and rock-hard hairspray, the shag is a little like the people who wore it back in the ‘70s and ‘80s - these days it is a little more refined, but when encouraged the playful edge comes out.

As people are better embracing their natural hair – for all its texture or lack thereof – the ‘70s shag haircut has seen a revival at just the right moment.

40 years on from its youthful, rebellious head turning years, it’s more relaxed, beautifully understated yet somehow maintains a subtle edge – equally suited for the workplace or the return of ‘a night out’ - who would have thought ey.

The cut’s modern take sees full fringes turn to gentle side sweeps, with layers that frame the face; a blessing for commitment-phobes. It grows out beautifully, is long enough to tie up, and when you let your hair down, can be worn both air dried or blow dried for volume no other haircut can give.

Like an old master painting or a sculptor moulding their medium, when it comes to cutting in the shag, each hair you snip is unique to that person in front of you. It is a truly visual cut, where feeling the hair and constantly seeing how it sits is more important than any technique.

For straight fine hair, it gives a tousled movement and heavy build-up of reassuring weightiness – volume in places where you want it.

When on textured hair, whether you are 2a-4c, it encourages bevels and moments of movement within hair that is ordinarily bulky and non-moving; curls fall around the face and any hint of triangular shape is left to the distant memory of maths Zoom calls.

It’s imperfect, and it works for just about anyone, no matter the length, fullness or texture of your hair.

References: Chrissie Hynde, Gigi Ringel, Mica Arganaraz, Freja Beha Erichsen, Debbie Harry, Alanna Arrington, Halle Berry, Clara Deshayes, Joan Jett.