Why the “depression hair” hairstyle trend is taking over the world
This season, the fashion world has been overtaken by an unexpected phenomenon: messy strands, tangled locks, and visible untidiness have become not just acceptable, but a desirable element of a stylish look. Why are not only stylists and influencers, but also economists, paying attention to “depression hair,” and why has the discussion about this hairstyle moved beyond salons and barbershops? Behind the strange name lies a mirror of change—both in society and in the economy.
What is “depression hair” and why is everyone talking about it
The term “depression hair” now refers to a hairstyle that is deliberately made to look as if it has been forgotten. These are tangled, loose strands, a weak bun, or a messy ponytail. The hair appears unkempt, but this untidiness becomes an aesthetic stance.
The style did not arise for medical reasons, but as a way of playing on associations: such hair evokes a state of fatigue and apathy, when people temporarily lose interest in their own appearance. At the same time, the trend has become part of a broader fashion wave towards naturalness and rejection of glossy perfection. Many designers and stylists see “depression hair” as a protest against the pressure of beauty standards, since the main criterion is naturalness.
But why has the widespread fascination with this look become so noticeable right now? Almost always, a surge of interest in simplicity and slight messiness coincides with periods of social stress or change.
The history of its emergence and the path from runway to the streets
The first public appearance of “depression hair” took place at the Prada Fall-Winter 2022/2023 show in Milan, when models appeared with deliberately messy hairstyles. After that, the styling quickly spread: similar looks appeared at shows of other fashion houses, including Miu Miu and Balenciaga.
Moving from the runway to street fashion, the style became a topic of discussion on TikTok and Instagram, where thousands of users experimented with recreating the look. Many mass-market brands adapted the trend for their advertising campaigns.
Famous stylist Guido Palau, commenting on the trend for Vogue, noted: “This is not a rejection of care, but a new aesthetic in which reality and imperfection gain value.” Experts note that in major cities in Europe and the US, “depression hair” has become a recognizable symbol of the times. However, on the periphery, the trend is less common, as confirmed by surveys from Western marketing agencies.
Economy and culture: why the trend is linked to recession
Economic crises have traditionally changed society’s demands for appearance and care rituals. In the early 1930s, women began to buy affordable cosmetics more actively instead of expensive accessories, which became known as the “lipstick index.” According to Reuters, a similar surge in sales of budget cosmetics was noted after 2008.
Today’s trend has similar prerequisites: less money means simpler styling. Saving time and money is becoming the new norm, and minimalist care becomes socially acceptable. At the same time, simplifying the routine is not always associated with actual depression; sometimes it is a conscious choice in favor of comfort.
A study by the University of Bath (UK) indicates that the fashion for messiness appears more often in crisis years. However, scientists note: so far, there is no clear evidence of a direct link between the economy and such trends; self-suggestion and public narrative play a greater role.
Other recession trends in the beauty industry
Today, “depression hair” is not the only marker of economic turbulence. Phenomena that experts associate with recession:
- “Recession blonde”—coloring with minimal maintenance, which can be maintained at home without spending extra $
- DIY cosmetics—making masks, creams, and shampoos following bloggers’ advice
- Growth in popularity of budget brands and two-in-one products
- “Lipstick index”—a surge in sales of inexpensive lipsticks and glosses
For example, TikTok blogger Alyona May notes: “I used to dye my hair every three weeks, now I do home toning—and this has become a trend.” Beauty analysts explain: such shifts are observed even in countries with relatively stable economies.
Public and professional reaction
The reaction to the trend is ambiguous. Some stylists see it as a long-awaited freedom from strict standards. Psychologists, in turn, warn: romanticizing fatigue can be dangerous if a person is actually going through a difficult period, and fashion encourages them to ignore signals from their own body.
On social networks, discussions often debate the ethics of the term itself. Some see it as self-irony, others see a problem in the stigmatization of mental states. Whatever position the participants in the discussion take, the question remains open: will a future fashion historian see this phenomenon as a sign of strength or a troubling symptom of our time?
“Depression hair” as a social signal in the context of the impossibility of full rest in the digital age
The fashion for an unkempt hairstyle is also actively considered in a social context. Modern people live in a state of constant race due to societal demands, which especially weigh on women. Today, people rarely can afford to stop and rest. Moreover, rest usually means time spent with a gadget in hand.
Rest, in the view of a city dweller, is a few minutes of free time when one can watch a short video on YouTube or scroll through social networks. Some devote these few minutes to mobile games, including short sessions in online casinos. Preference is given to dynamic gameplay—this explains the growing popularity of crash games.
Watching a plane take off in the Jet-X game and waiting for the “crash” stimulates the psyche, and a person briefly feels invigorated. This is one of the reasons why the game is so popular and why many online casinos offer it to gamers. Information from the website https://jet-x.com.in/, which we found in search results while preparing this article, confirms the growing popularity of Jet-X. Some experts say that this popularity has psychological reasons.
But can social networks and games be called real rest? In fact, a person quickly returns to their previous state of fatigue. Moreover, spending time on such forms of rest, a person often forgets about basic household things. In this context, modern fashion can justifiably be seen as a signal system that points to the widespread nature of the problem.
Factors that amplify the spread of the trend:
- Activity of social networks
- Noticeable rise in prices for beauty services
- Growth of interest in mental health
- Influence of influencers shaping new aesthetic norms
Life after the trend: what’s next for the industry
Most likely, the interest in messiness will last as long as society seeks a balance between saving money and self-expression. In a favorable economic situation, the beauty industry will focus on personalization and self-care using new technologies and products. Experts suggest that even if the “depression hair” trend fades away, the experience of freedom and self-acceptance will remain. Mass culture and social networks have already proven: fashion, reflecting times of crisis, can change the views of millions.
What would you choose—deliberate styling or liberating messiness? Which motives will prove stronger—economic or cultural? The answer to this question largely depends not only on external circumstances, but also on each person’s individual choice.
