Man Bun VS Topknot
The fashion world has embraced the man bun and the topknot for a while now and this past year it was accepted by the masses. Male models and hipsters claimed this look from the overly popular undercut that was popular in the early 2010’s. Every couple of years, men’s hairstyles generally see a huge trend in a one popular look. Now that we are halfway though the 2010’s, being able to tie your hair is now accepted.
What would you consider the difference between a man bun and a topknot?
The main difference is that a topknot only consists of having long hair on the top of your head. Where you truly look like a samurai. Man buns on the other hand are what I consider when a guy actually has long hair all over. It serves a purpose, which is to hold back hair. Think Johnny Depp, not edgy samurai.
The topknot needs to go. It basically is the new mullet of the millennium. This hairstyle was created because guys with undercuts wanted to do the man bun but didn’t have long hair on the sides of the head. Thus it was born. Placed at the top of your head. A topknot is essentially a high ponytail. While the man bun is placed at the back of the head to actually keep your hair back. The origin of the topknot is related to Japanese samurai culture. Since men in the noble class were samurais it became a symbol of status. Now guys walk around thinking it’s a form of being more hip or cooler than other guys.
I have been guilty of even doing the topknot about 2 years ago and constantly debating if I really should just grow all my hair out or just the top. I remember at first most people thought it was weird or thought I was actually from Asia… Then I decided to cut this past December because it was something I was over. It was too trendy to be taken seriously by the professional world. I am a graduating senior in university. It had to be gone. I’ve gotten more compliments about my hair now than when I actually had the topknot.
And just like my topknot, the masses will follow and see how ridiculous they are. I remember in high school how guys who had mohawk or fauxhawks would grow rattails. Some would even take it a step further and dye the rattails. Hopefully the topknot dies by the end of the year and I wonder what crazy hairstyle trend will take over many tops of many men’s heads.
