Hollywood Embraces Ice Hockey's 'Lettuce Hair' Trend from Rink to Red Carpet
In a surprising twist, Hollywood's elite are turning to the vegetable aisle for hair inspiration, with the "lettuce hair" trend sweeping across red carpets. This style, a softer version of the traditional mullet, features a wavy top, tapered sides, and a feathery tail that mimics leafy greens, and it's gaining popularity among actors and athletes alike.
From Ice Hockey to Hollywood: The Rise of Lettuce Hair
The lettuce hair trend originated in the world of ice hockey, where players in the 1970s and 1980s embraced mullets. As the mullet faded in the 1990s, hockey players refined it into a more modern look, now known as lettuce hair. Markus Ekroth, a right-winger for Sweden's Nackarockers, explains, "The classic sign of proper hockey hair is that you can clearly see it flowing out at the back while wearing a helmet." His team's TikTok videos showcasing their best lettuce hair have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, highlighting the style's appeal beyond the rink.
During events like the Winter Olympics, lettuce hair is prominently displayed, with players such as the US's William Nylander and Sweden's Mika Zibanejad praised for their "great lettuce." John King, editor-in-chief of Pulltab Sports, notes, "A mullet is hockey hair, but not all hockey hair is a mullet," emphasizing the distinction. Since 2011, King has compiled an annual "All Hockey Hair Team" video, attracting global subscribers, many of whom have never watched a hockey game, underscoring the trend's widespread fascination.
Celebrities and Athletes Leading the Lettuce Look
Hollywood stars are now adopting this hockey-inspired style. Jacob Elordi, known for his role in Wuthering Heights, has sported lettuce hair during press tours, toning down his regency cut to resemble romaine lettuce. Other celebrities like Barry Keoghan, Harry Styles, Glen Powell, Brad Pitt, Paul Mescal, and Austin Butler have also embraced the trend, with Styles's tufty tresses in promotional photos for his album Aperture being a prime example.
In sports, figure skater Ilia Malinin's butter-lettuce locks add drama to his performances, while freestyle skier Mac Forehand's "awesome hair" showcases the style's versatility. Ekroth adds that the look can boost confidence, saying, "It doesn't physically add anything to your performance, but the saying 'look good, play good' definitely applies." Some players even get perms or bleach their hair to enhance the lettuce effect, raising questions about whether Hollywood will follow suit.
The Future of Lettuce Hair in Pop Culture
As lettuce hair continues to gain traction, its journey from ice hockey rinks to Hollywood red carpets highlights a unique crossover in fashion and sports. With its roots in athletic culture and growing celebrity endorsement, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Only time will tell if it becomes a lasting staple in hair fashion, but for now, it's clear that lettuce hair is making a significant impact on both the sports and entertainment worlds.
