Rattail (haircut)

Child in the 1980's with a rattail.

A rattail is a hair style that is characterized by a long "tail"-like element of hair growing downward from the back of the head. The rattail usually hangs naturally; however, it can be braided, treated as a dread, permed, straightened, or curled with an iron. In some instances, an individual might choose to grow several tails as opposed to a single very long tail.[1]

The rattail saw a brief period of mainstream popularity during the 1980s and has rapidly fallen out of vogue. However, it has recently seen renewed popularity.

Cultural prevalence

The rattail seems to be rather commonly seen on manga characters. For example, Dr. Tofu (a character in Ranma 1/2) and Masaharu Niou from Prince of Tennis all have small ponytails resembling rattails. Tenchi Masaki also is seen with a rattail. Auron from Final Fantasy X also sports a rattail in a concept art by Tetsuya Nomura (it is not visible in game because of his high-brim collar). However, this may be due to the hairstyle's similarity to the queue. Miroku from Inuyasha also has a rattail.

Shaved head with long braided rattail

Some punks and rivetheads have been known to support them also, although in a much more punky style, totally shaven head, except for a tuft of hair at the back, usually dyed in various luminous colours. In Australia it is predominantly associated with the "bogan" subculture, but is prevalent throughout society. It is a very popular hairstyle in New Zealand, especially among boys, and is sometimes combined with shaven sides, a soft mini-mohawk and 'tram tracks' in Maori designs.

Former junior welterweight boxing champion Kostya Tszyu sported a rather famous rattail throughout his career.[2]

The television show Dog the Bounty Hunter stars Leland Chapman and Tim Chapman, both of whom wear a variation of this haircut.

Inter Footballer Rodrigo Palacio is known for sporting a rattail, and Cristiano Ronaldo had in the past a variation of this haircut.

Jet Li's character from Lethal Weapon 4 had a rattail hairstyle.

In 2013 pop star, Rihanna, sported a hybrid of a rattail and mullet, creating a new hair style phenomenon called the "Sting Ray".

In Disney's 43rd 2002 animated feature Treasure Planet , Jim Hawkins sports a rattail throughout the movie until the end. [3]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rattail haircut.

References

  1. ↑ "Rat Tail Hairstyle". Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Shane Mosley & Kostya Tszyu: Boxing’s Smiling Assassins". Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-beauty/news/rihanna-debuts-new-rat-tail-mullet-hairstyle-2013208