Rock My Billy: Modern Take on the Greaser Pompadour, aka my favorite Men's Hairstyle:

John Travolta plays Danny Zuko, a classic 1950's greaser in the classic musical "Grease." (1978)

The term "greaser" stems from the amount of product that men used to style their hair, giving it a "greasy" look. Styling products have evolved into wax, pomade, or gel that gives men styling options depending on hair type. 

What is a POMPADOUR?

A Pompadour is a hairstyle traditionally created by "teasing" or "ratting" hair, which is brushing the hair towards the root instead of away from the root. This creates the frizz and volume essential to a well heighted pomp. Oftentimes, a section of the hair, such as the very front, is section off in order to remain smooth and cover the hair that is teased. This creates a smooth, yet volumized look. Most men's pompadours rely heavily on styling pomades or waxes since traditionally their hair is shorter than women's leaving less to tease. 

Danny's hairstyle is the CLASSIC Greaser pomp, complete with the comb in his back pocket, which he whips out frequently in the film. Greasers were a subculture that came about in the 1950s that rebelled and deviated from tradition.  The subculture originated from the working class and is often iconic of  the stereotypical "bad boy" who smokes, rides a motorcycle, is involved with a gang, like rock 'n' roll (which was not considered mainstream or appropriate) and is promiscuous or painted to be sexually appealing.

Morrissey
His infamous quiff is not only his signature, but a trendsetting style that swept through the late 1980's and early 90's

Morrissey-singer/songwriter for the The Smiths (debuting in1986)
When the band broke up, Morrissey continued as a solo singer and still performs today.

Morrissey's hair emulated the 1950's greaser (as will be shown below) but gave the appearance of being less scultped, veering away from the classic Greaser with the comb in his back pocket and giving way to a more tousled, hap hazard and melancholic, yet intentional look.

Pompadours range in height, here Morrissey's is pleasantly tall

DKNY Fall 2010
A more relaxed and simple pompadour that is Morrissey inspired

Alexander McQueen 2008
Beach Boy mixed with Rockabilly inspiration

Duckie Brown Fall 2010
An 80's inspired Flat top Pomp

Patrik Evrell Fall 2010
Slightly electrocuted with great volume

Versace Spring 2011

Moschino Spring 2011
Amazing and fun Elvis Presley/Vegas inspired collection
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2012MEN-MOSCHINO

John Cryer is Duckie in "Pretty in Pink" (1986) shown here with costar Molly Ringwald

Duckie's pomp has more front interest than the Danny Zuko, with the hair on the crown pulled and styled forward rather than volumized upwards as in the Morrissey Pomp. 

Duckie's Do has smooth sides, an essential to the traditional Pompadour. This style utilizes natural wave in the hair, rather than coercing it to be straight, as will be shown further below.

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
Extreme Duckie Pomp channeling the 1980's

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
I love the glasses as well.

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
The hair is definitely as important as the clothes

Johnny Depp as Cry-Baby Walker in "Cry Baby" (1990)
A fun Rockabilly inspired movie that doesn't take itself too seriously.
I love it because it mocks the 1950's social problems, it's funny, and of course.. he gets the girl!

Depp's Pompadour is also very classic and slick, with less wave than the previous pomps.

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
An example of a simplified, straightforward pomp

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
Slick, volumized with smooth sides and not a hair out of place= perfection

The Original King- Elvis Presley, rockabilly icon
Elvis needs no introduction, this 1950's/60's legend has an elegant pomp that is well crafted and manicured with a swirl

Bottega Veneta Fall 2010
Elvis inspired Pomp

James Dean, actor of the rockabilly era and his classic Pomp
James Dean defined the "bad boy greaser" look with his white t-shirt, jeans, leather jacket, and cigarettes
His films include  "Rebel without a Cause," "Giant," and "East of Eden."

Duckie Brown Fall 2010
Slightly disheveled James Dean look

Moschino Spring 2011

Moschino Spring 2011

Moschino Spring 2011

Johnny Cash- legendary Country Singer
His pomp looks more lightweight than the "greased" down or thick pomps so far

Moschino Spring 2011

Moschino Spring 2011

Versace Spring 2011
Channeled Rockabilly Style, not only with Hair, but with style accents, such as plaid 

Versace Spring 2011
With a Rockabilly inspiration, the designers created a
"Stray Cats version of the Versace man."
-Style.com review

Versace Spring 2011
Leather, Tattoos, full Hair, and earrings- classic Rocker

Versace Spring 2011
This look is more 80's with the print of the shirt and acid wash jeans, but the Hair is 50's

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2012
His collection looks very 90's to me with a modern edge

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2012
The straight, almost flat top hair with chunky sweaters
His inspiration came from skaters of Huntington Beach

Johnny Iuzzini of Top Chef Just Desserts
Clearly has the Rockabilly style, from the white T, jeans, a chain, Pomp, and of course Tattoos

Johnny Iuzzini- The only reason I watch that show

Moschino Spring 2011
Modern Rockabilly with a Johnny Iuzzini Pomp

While the traditional Rockabilly Pompadour is a statement style, variations on the theme have also proven statement worthy and have a place in the modern fashion world.
So Guys, grab your grease and Pomp it up!