20 best Dorothy Hamill haircut designs, styles, and ideas
Are you looking to stand out from the crowd? A bold hairstyle can complete your look. There are many to choose from, including Dorothy Hamill haircut designs, which became popular following her Olympic glory in 1976. The designs include a wedge cut, tapered bob, or layered pixie for a fresh, stylish finish.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- 20 best Dorothy Hamill's haircut designs, styles, and ideas
- 1. The classic Dorothy Hamill haircut
- 2. The carefree middle partition
- 3. The youthful pixie haircut
- 4. Perfect middle part haircut
- 5. Tapered wedge hairstyle
- 6. Dorothy Hamill's blonde haircut
- 7. The trendy short hairdo
- 8. Thick round haircut
- 9. Longer layers haircut
- 10. The Dorothy Hamill bob haircut
- 11. Dorothy Hamill's side-swept bangs
- 12. Dorothy Hamill medium style without bangs
- 13. The mushroom haircut
- 14. Thick wavy haircut
- 15. Dorothy Hamill's carefree cut
- 16. Feathered style
- 17. Short bob with fringe
- 18. Simple, neat cut
- 19. Confident medium hairstyle
- 20. Across the forehead blunt cut
- What is Dorothy Hamill's haircut called?
- What year was the Dorothy Hamill haircut popular?
- Who designed the wedge haircut?
- What type of haircut makes you look younger?
- What is the most popular women's haircut right now?
Key takeaways
- Dorothy Hamill is a former Olympic figure skating champion known for her iconic hairstyle.
- Her haircuts, especially the wedge, became fashion trends in the late 1970s.
- Styles like the feathered crop, side-parted wedge, and sleek layered bob are among the most memorable of Dorothy Hamill's haircut designs.
- Her sporty yet elegant looks continue to inspire modern hair trends today.
20 best Dorothy Hamill's haircut designs, styles, and ideas
Dorothy Hamill's haircut in the 70s was chic and short, with many of them gaining massive popularity many years later. They were inspired by her short and sporty hairstyles. Explore them here.
1. The classic Dorothy Hamill haircut
Source: Getty Images
The classic Dorothy Hamill's hairstyle in the 70s, famously known as the wedge haircut, was a stylish variation of the pageboy cut. It became widely popular after the Olympic skater sported it, making it one of the most iconic looks of that era.
What is a wedge style haircut?
This is a short Dorothy Hamill haircut with fringes at the front, and the hair at the sides volumized to add elegance to the hairstyle. The pageboy haircut requires you to have thick and straight hair; therefore, it may not be appropriate for everyone.
The short Dorothy Hamill haircut was not her original creation. The wedge style was invented by Vidal Sassoon stylist Trevor Sorbie in 1974. Dorothy adopted the look around the same time. However, it became widely popular in 1976 when she won the Olympic gold medal in figure skating at just 19 years old.
2. The carefree middle partition
Source: Getty Images
Hair partitions add different dimensions to the face. Dorothy Hamill's haircut designs illustrate how sectioning the hair at the front part plays a significant role in a look. If you have a round face, you can easily and elegantly pull off a Dorothy Hamill middle-partition hairstyle.
3. The youthful pixie haircut
Source: Getty Images
One of the most popular Dorothy Hamill hairstyles that has continued to gain popularity over the years is the pixie hairstyle. She pulled off numerous variations of this haircut elegantly and undoubtedly looked amazing in each one of them.
The pixie haircut gives a strong boss-like appearance that would perfectly suit a serious business meeting. The side view of Dorothy Hamill's haircut appears longer than the back. It starts longer at the front and is trimmed short and shorter towards the back to lay flatteringly at the back of the head.
The pixie haircut is among her classic shorter looks that will undoubtedly give you that desired youthful appearance.
4. Perfect middle part haircut
Source: Getty Images
This hairstyle is an instant eye-catcher that will bring out the sassiness in you. It features a perfect division of the hair on both sides up to the middle of the head. This is one of Dorothy's dark hairstyles.
5. Tapered wedge hairstyle
Source: Instagram
The tapered blonde hairstyle is a beautiful short Dorothy Hamill haircut. Many hairdressers have been inspired by Dorothy's wedge haircuts to create modern variations. Above, you can see the wedge haircut front and back view, showing the full charm of Dorothy Hamill's signature style.
You may add colour to the beautifully tapered hair to add charisma to your finished look. The tapered style is her signature haircut. It features a middle part that leaves bangs across the forehead. It remains an all-time Dorothy Hamill favourite, both in the 70s and today.
6. Dorothy Hamill's blonde haircut
Source: Getty Images
This is a simple pixie haircut, with the main difference being the colour. Other than the usual blonde, you can go for any bright colour that suits you. It is easy to style because you select where you want most of the hair to fall around the face.
7. The trendy short hairdo
Source: Getty Images
The trendy short hairdo best suits anyone who craves an edge to their haircut. If you keenly look at this Dorothy Hamill haircut back view, the hair is styled to sweep to the insides slightly for a soft look. The front and side hair are longer to frame the face.
8. Thick round haircut
Source: Getty Images
Like her classic haircut, anyone with a thick pile of hair would pull off this haircut perfectly. The layers will look impressive as the thickness improves the volume of the hair.
This low-maintenance hairdo requires very few styling products. It suits busy women who have little time for hair care. It is also ideal for those who are comfortable with hair framing their faces.
9. Longer layers haircut
Source: Getty Images
Although this haircut combines several contrasting styles, it still maintains a perfect balance. It features both waves and straight hair, long and short layers, and added volume. The front has long layers that frame the face well, similar to the long Dorothy Hamill haircut. The back has short layers that create fullness, making the overall look well-balanced.
10. The Dorothy Hamill bob haircut
Source: Getty Images
Dorothy Hamill’s short style list would be incomplete without the bob haircut. It is one of the classic Dorothy Hamill's short haircuts that has never ceased to be stylish. It can be pulled off successfully by almost anyone and is also a perfect look for older women.
11. Dorothy Hamill's side-swept bangs
Source: Getty Images
The Dorothy Hamill side-swept bangs style is a beautiful variation of the short stacked wedge haircut. It suits women of all ages. The look feels youthful yet elegant. You can enhance it with hair colors of your choice. It adds vibrance and works well for different age groups, giving your appearance a fresh and modern touch.
12. Dorothy Hamill medium style without bangs
Source: Getty Images
The medium style without bangs is perfect for showing off highlights. It stays in place with the help of a few styling products. This look blends various original cuts to create a fresh hairstyle. It gives you a new appearance without changing your actual haircut.
13. The mushroom haircut
Source: Getty Images
This is another classic Dorothy Hamill haircut that goes beyond age and trends. Women of all ages love it. The style has stood the test of time. It features straight layers in the front and rich volume at the bottom. The hair is cropped with multiple layers, creating a full and thick look.
The Dorothy Hamill haircut in 1980 helped make this style more popular. It showed how timeless and adaptable it can be. This short cut was inspired by the wedge haircut. It has a modern twist that is stylish, fun, and easy to maintain.
It is perfect for daily wear and also works well for formal events. Many women favor this look because it adds a soft, feminine touch.
14. Thick wavy haircut
Source: Getty Images
The modern Dorothy Hamill haircut has seen a rise in different versions to keep up with current trends. The parting at the center does not have to be perfect, so choose the side where you want most hair to fall. The waves are very long, almost unnoticeable, making it the perfect selection for women who do not want to draw too much attention.
15. Dorothy Hamill's carefree cut
Source: Getty Images
Due to the nature of her work as an athlete, it is understandable that Dorothy Hamill often kept sporty and easy haircuts. This hairstyle is slightly longer as it ends at the nape of her neck. It is excellent for women who do not want to lose too much length of their hair. The style can also be great for men with semi-curly hair.
16. Feathered style
Source: Getty Images
Here, most hairs fall on the side with a few strands loosely hanging at the front. The sides are feathered back, and the bangs are off to the sides. It best suits formal occasions and when you want just a little hair on your forehead.
17. Short bob with fringe
Source: Getty Images
This is a combination of the classic and normal bob haircuts. It works best with thick hair for the fringe at the front to fall comfortably on the forehead. The hair at the back is chopped so that it does not fall beyond the neck.
18. Simple, neat cut
Source: Getty Images
It does not have to be complicated all the time. You can go for a simple haircut like this one and still look amazing. This style is reminiscent of the Dorothy Hamill haircut in 1976, which became iconic for its clean and polished look. Ensure the barber is neat so that it does not appear like zero effort was put.
19. Confident medium hairstyle
Source: Getty Images
This is a simple haircut whereby the layers complement the face’s shape. The bangs of this traditional medium haircut are gently swept to the side. This may be a daily look that can be rocked to an event.
20. Across the forehead blunt cut
Source: Getty Images
This hairstyle has a centre part that allows your bangs to run across your forehead for an elegant look. Like the feathered haircut, most hair is on the sides and at the back. However, here, the strands at the front are carefully organized to cover the forehead. It is chic, simple and low maintenance.
What is Dorothy Hamill's haircut called?
Dorothy Hamill's haircut is called the wedge haircut. It became iconic after she wore it during the 1976 Winter Olympics, where she won a gold medal in figure skating. The wedge haircut features:
- A short, stacked back
- Longer layers in the front
- A clean, tapered nape
- Smooth, rounded shape
It is a stylish variation of the classic pageboy cut and remains popular for its timeless, low-maintenance appeal.
What year was the Dorothy Hamill haircut popular?
The Dorothy Hamill haircut became popular in 1976, the same year she won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Her iconic wedge haircut quickly became a national trend in the United States and remained popular throughout the late 1970s and into the early 1980s.
Who designed the wedge haircut?
The wedge haircut was designed by Trevor Sorbie. He created it while working for Vidal Sassoon in the 1970s. The style became famous after Dorothy Hamill wore it in 1976. She debuted the look during the Winter Olympics. It quickly became a trend and is now an iconic haircut.
What type of haircut makes you look younger?
Haircuts that make you look younger often have soft layers, volume, and movement. Here are a few types:
- Bob cut with layers or bangs adds freshness.
- Pixie cut with texture gives a youthful, bold look.
- Long layers frame the face and soften features.
- Shoulder-length cuts with waves add bounce and life.
- Side-swept bangs can hide forehead lines and lift the eyes.
The right haircut depends on your face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle.
What is the most popular women's haircut right now?
The most popular women’s haircuts right now (mid‑2025) include:
- The bixie — a bob‑pixie hybrid with choppy, textured layers for a playful, lived‑in look
- The whisper pixie — a soft, feathered pixie cut that feels modern yet effortless
- The French bob — jaw‑grazing and sleek with soft texture, often without bangs for a polished finish
- The curly tapered cut — ideal for natural curls, defined at the sides and kept voluminous on top
Dorothy Hamill's haircut designs are known for being short, stylish, and easy to manage. From pixie cuts to bobs and pageboys, her looks inspired women of all ages. These low-maintenance styles suit both casual and formal wear. With the right haircut, you can achieve a fresh, youthful look every day.
Tuko.co.ke shared 60 messy hairstyles for men. Though messy, these trending hairstyles are stylish and unique, enhancing the looks of the owners. The rugged and unfinished look makes men appear more masculine, and the rawness of these styles makes them stand out.
Sidecut is the perfect example of how you can go for something easy and fancy at the same time. It does not require you to shave your hair completely to look elegant. Other messy men hairstyles include buzz cut, warped and twisted, and long hair updo.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Caiaphas Wanjala (Lifestyle writer) Wanjala is a curious and questioning reporter who loves digging up information and presenting it to his readers in a catchy and entertaining way. He has a background in IT, he likes to work with web materials and analyze how they perform. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him replaying Red Dead Redemption - Seriously, he can’t have enough of that game. His email: caiaphaswanjala@yahoo.com
Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a creative writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She began her career as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. Sharon has written articles and blog posts for MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, and Industry Biz. She joined Tuko.co.ke as a Lifestyle Writer in October 2024, covering entertainment, sports, education, and finance. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.
