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Buns! Bobs! Mullets! Olympic skating hair by the decade

It's no secret that figure skaters win the superlative for flashiest style at the Winter Olympics. So many ruffles and sparkles! The level of commitment is impressive. From their heads to their toes, figure skaters know how to light up the ice.Recently, on Throwback Thursday, Kristi Yamaguchi mentioned to us that the '90s were the heyday for the ponytail. These days, the tight bun is queen of the
Dorothy Hamill 1976, Tonya Harding 1991, Vanessa James 2014
Dorothy Hamill 1976, Tonya Harding 1991, Vanessa James 2014Getty Images; EPA

It's no secret that figure skaters win the superlative for flashiest style at the Winter Olympics. So many ruffles and sparkles! The level of commitment is impressive. From their heads to their toes, figure skaters know how to light up the ice.

Recently, on Throwback Thursday, Kristi Yamaguchi mentioned to us that the '90s were the heyday for the ponytail. These days, the tight bun is queen of the ice. And all those decades before and after? Check out the most golden hair moments — by the decade — in skating history. 

1970's: The Hamill Wedge

Dorothy Hamill skates at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics.
Dorothy Hamill skates during the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics and right, hits the podium.Today

Hamill's signature bob became an iconic hairstyle of the '70's after she won gold at the 1976 Olympics. The "Hamill Wedge," which was cut specifically for her Olympic debut, had the perfect amount of bounce and flair to take her to the podium (well, that and and incredible amount of skill!) In a sea of sensible pixie cuts, the wedge had the edge to last for years.

1980's: The backwards mullet

Various skaters from the 80's flaunt a short bobbed haircut
Figure skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Rosalyn Summers, Katarina Witt, Kira Ivanova and Genrich Sretensky and Natalya Annenko all rock the '80's buzzed bob at the 1984 and 1988 Winter Games.Today

Female skaters around the world started to chop their bobs sometime in the decade of decadence. But unlike the adorable Hamill Wedge, this style was more severe, with crew-cut sides and a floppier top. It's kind of like a mullet...only in reverse. Classic '80's.

1990's: Pumped-up ponytails

Various female figure skaters with puffy ponytails and teased bangs
Female figure skaters like Tonya Harding, Kristi Yamaguchi and Oksana Baiul wear their hair like true 90's girls. Bonus points for the matching scrunchies.Today

Oh hey there, bangs! The ladies of the '90's took their hairstyles to new heights with some seriously teased ponytails and puffy face fringe. Let's not ruin it with any other commentary: It's that good. 

2000's: Bedazzling

Three female skaters show off their hair accessories at the 2006 Olympics in Turin
Miki Ando of Japan, Fleur Maxwell of Luxembourg and Finland's Kiira Korpi in Turin during the 2006 Olympics.Today

If there's one thing we learned from the '90's it was how to accessorize. This clearly carried over into the mid-2000's when female figure skaters went on accessory overload. Glitter? Check. Butterfly clips? Yes please. Scrunchies? Thick headbands? All of the above!

2014: The bun

Various female figure skaters with sleek bun hairstyles at the 2014 Olympics.
Ksenia Stolbova, Vanessa James, Gracie Gold, and Aliona Savchenko pull off the polished bun during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. We give them a perfect 10!Today

The ladies of the 2014 Sochi Olympics are a perfect representation that when in doubt, go for the classic bun. Sleek and polished, the ballerina's best friend proves it is timeless.

Bonus round: The Bronytail!

Jason Brown competes during the Sochi Olympics.
American figure skater Jason Brown is proof that lovely locks aren't just for the ladies. He sports a long, low ponytail at the 2014 Sochi Games.Today

Jason Brown not only wowed the crowds during the Sochi men’s singles competition, but he also did it with a style all his own. Oh, and also a Twitter account all his own — for his hair, that is. It's a parody account that celebrates the Bronytail in all its glory. The world first caught a glimpse of it when Brown's River Dance routine during qualifications went viral. Add in a winning smile, and this kid's stardom — Bronytail or none — has got legs.

Samantha Okazaki is a multimedia editor for TODAY.com.