Teenage hairstyles

Ah the Mowhawk – synonymous with punk the first time around, and later with numerous punk subgenres such as ska and hardcore. Unfortunately for the wearer, where once the haircut used to scream 'anarchy!', Jedward's quasi-Mohawk has had the devastating effect of rendering all such haircuts merely 'silly' Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian Photograph: Dan Chung/guardian.co.uk Teenage Mods in a cafe in 1966 The classic mod haircut would never get you chucked out of school - the subculture's idea of rebellion was way too sophisticated for that Photograph: David McEnery/Rex Features Photograph: David McEnery/guardian.co.uk Now this is more like – a definite contender for a brief period of banishment from school. It's clever though – lose the pony tail and teachers will be none the wiser ... Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: guardian.co.uk In the good old days all wannabe eco warriors were channelling the ' Swampy ' look. These days, however, they seem to look more and more like George Monbiot – not that 'benevolent academic' is a bad style per se. But you know what I mean Photograph: John Powell /Rex Features Photograph: John Powell /guardian.co.uk A teenage girl undergoes an elaborate backcombed hairstyle Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: guardian.co.uk Now this is how to carry off blaxploitation chic – it's just right on so many levels Photograph: Gunnar Larsen/Rex Features Photograph: Gunnar Larsen/guardian.co.uk A Teddyboy gets the attention his hair rightly deserves Photograph: Paul Schutzer/Getty Images/Time & Life Picture Photograph: PAUL SCHUTZER/guardian.co.uk Booorriiiing. The TV show Skins is supposed to be an insight into the underbelly of 'real' teenage lives. But really it's about a bunch of self-obsessed poshos and their lame barnets Photograph: Richard Saker/PR Photograph: Richard Saker/guardian.co.uk So who looks more fun to hang out with? The bunch of future Tory-voting City workers in the previous picture – or this group of mischief-seeking young London punks in the 70s? Thought so Photograph: Janine Wiedel /Alamy Photograph: Janine Wiedel /guardian.co.uk A group of new romantics at the infamous Blitz Club in Covent Garden in 1980. The guy on the far left looks about 12, yet he's riffing on Sammy Davis circa the ratpack years. Amazing. The hair? Juniors do Spandeau Photograph: Homer Sykes/Getty Photograph: Homer Sykes/guardian.co.uk The 60s had the mods and rockers; the 70s had the punks; 80s had the new romantics; and the 90s had grunge. Meanwhile, in the noughties we had (and my goodness do we still have) emo - which has created an army of social networking-obsessed teenage boys who inexplicably model their hair on Delia Smith circa 1987 Photograph: Martin Godwin Photograph: guardian.co.uk Teenage skinheads in the 70s Photograph: Feri Lukas/Rex Features Photograph: Feri Lukas/guardian.co.uk Lots of teenagers today are seemingly obsessed with wearing their hoods up the whole time – which is possibly why you see fewer and fewer teens sporting pleasingly elaborate hairdos. After all, when your hair's covered the whole time, what's the point in making an effort? Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Photograph: Matt Cardy/guardian.co.uk And it's not only hoodies – it's all these flaming hat-wearing pop stars. Popular beat combo N-Dubz are just one of many guilty parties Photograph: Andy Sheppard/Getty Photograph: Andy Sheppard/guardian.co.uk