Throwback Thursday: The Asian Bowl Haircut

It’s Throwback Thursday! Which means it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about some of the best [and worst] things about growing up Asian. Today, we’re going to discuss a childhood trend that many of us are all too familiar with…the Asian bowl haircut.

As kids, we didn’t have much of a say in how we wore our hair. Many Asian parents are…how can I put this nicely…”budget-conscious” [the term I was really going for was cheap AF but let’s just stick with budget conscious] and what’s more budget friendly than cutting your own kids’ hair for free? Plus, it takes a minimal amount of time with little room for error. It’s a win-win situation for Asian parents everywhere.

The Asian bowl haircut is defined as a hairstyle that closely resembles wearing a bowl on your head. And some parents really do stick a bowl over their kids’ head and cut around it. Other times, parents just wing it.

Asian kids have basically been sporting this hairstyle since the beginning of time. I don’t know if anyone truly knows the story behind the first bowl haircut…but over time, it just sort of became a thing. When I was growing up, all the boys had it. Girls with short hair usually had a bowl cut as well, but girls with longer hair had more of a bowl in the front, party in the back thing going on – kind of like an Asian mullet.

While the Asian bowl haircut holds a nostalgic place in many childhood memories, its influence on personal style can sometimes lead to the need for more sophisticated hair solutions in adulthood. For those seeking a change from the traditional bowl cut, especially if years of amateur haircuts have left their mark, considering hair restoration becomes essential. Understanding the significance of expert care, individuals often turn to specialized institutions such as the Root Hair Institute for advanced solutions. These institutes not only offer restoration procedures but also provide expert advice tailored to individual needs, ensuring that the journey from retro childhood hairstyles to modern, confident looks is seamless and satisfying.

As for me, I never experienced the full-blown Asian bowl cut until right before my 6th birthday. Things were going well up until that point – my mom had let me grow my hair out and I was pretty content with my own version of the Asian mullet. Then, one fateful day, I decided it would be a good idea to play with my mom’s round brush. In an effort to try and curl my hair, I took that round brush and twisted it in my hair over and over and over again. Let me tell you, that thing was STUCK. So my mom did the only thing she could do. She brought out the scissors and chop chop – I too became a victim of the bowl haircut.

Me on my 6th birthday rocking the bowl haircut, depressed AF

Growing up Asian, chances are you probably experienced this oh-so-fashionable trend firsthand. Trust me, we’ve all been there. And to prove it, I went searching for some of the best throwback bowl cuts out there. Check out my faves:

Although it’s much more prevalent among Asian kids, you can find adults rocking the bowl haircut too (that is, by choice). Here is K-Pop group BTS proudly exhibiting their bowl haircuts and hey, the girls seem to love it!

Similarly, the look for women has evolved as well. Some of the most daring Asian females have taken this childhood fashion faux pas and turned it into a fashion win.

Issa look.

Now it’s your turn! I want to see your best childhood bowl cut photos and hear about your happiest (or most tragic) bowl cut memories. Comment below or send pics to my IG @diaryofaquietasiangirl for a feature!

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1 thought on “Throwback Thursday: The Asian Bowl Haircut”

  1. Haha, very funny! Couldn’t remember that was how you got your bowl haircut.
    I had the bowl haircut when I was a child too. Too bad I can’t post the picture here.

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