“Slut Strands”: The Signature Hairstyle of Women’s Olympic Snowboarding

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, it wasn’t just Chloe Kim’s attempt at a 1260 during the women’s snowboard half-pipe that caught viewers’ eyes. Female snowboarders and skiers across various nationalities were seen sporting a hairstyle known as slut strands: two face-framing strands of hair on both sides of the face left loose from their helmet. This seemingly small fashion statement has a significant meaning. For the talented female athletes who hit the slopes in Beijing, slut strands were a symbol of femininity and indicated their pride as female athletes in male-dominated sports. Slut strands function as a way to combat the androgynous silhouette of winter sports gear and signifies that these female athletes are representing women everywhere. This simple hairstyle unites female snowboarders and skiers from all over the world in an impactful display of solidarity and fellowship.

Despite the popularity of the hairstyle, the term “slut strands” is surrounded by controversy. While it’s unclear who coined the phrase, some female athletes dislike the name because it contains a derogatory word. In an interview with InStyle, American snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim explains, “We need to change the name to beauty strands. I hate the term. Beauty strands make me feel beautiful, and it’s such a cute thing.” Though some athletes see changing the name to beauty strands as an overdue update, the current name is also an important reminder that the struggles female athletes face need to be taken seriously, and serves as a nod to those who pioneered women’s snowboarding and skiing. Additionally, it would be challenging to attain mass usage of a new name due to its significance in snowboarding culture.

On the other hand, some find the term empowering because it allows them to reclaim a derogatory word to make a feminist statement. In a November TikTok video, American Olympic snowboarder Maddie Mastro proclaimed, “Sl*t strands 4 life.” Similarly, Elsa Watkins, founder of skiing and snowboarding apparel company “The Slut Strand Society,” uses the term to empower female snowboarders and skiers and give them a space to “band together.” On the company’s website, she explains that despite the negative connotation of the term “slut strands,” it should be reclaimed and celebrated because of its powerful meaning and prevalent usage among female athletes.

The slut strand look originated in the ‘90s and peaked in popularity in the early 2000s. The look typically consisted of polished ponytails and updos softened by romantic face-framing strands, ranging from delicate wisps to boldly colored waves. However, slut strands weren’t just an everyday look: they graced fashion runways from New York City to Paris in the ‘90s. Supermodel and fashion icon Kate Moss, for instance, rocked brunette slut strands and a chic bun at a Donna Karan Fall fashion show in 1993. It’s no surprise that slut strands are trendy again, as social media platforms have brought ‘90s hair trends, like butterfly clips and scrunchies, back into the spotlight.

Today, celebrities like Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, and even Meghan Markle have experimented with the hairstyle as well. The ‘80s aesthetic of Dua Lipa’s latest dance-pop album “Future Nostalgia” features her with platinum blonde face-framing strands that give an edgy, vintage look. Bella Hadid has mastered the slut strand look as well. The supermodel’s Instagram is peppered with photos of her posing in her thin, dark slut strands that are often combined with sleek ponytails to create a trendy and refreshing cut. For a more elegant take on the style, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle utilizes wispy strands to add casual sophistication to her updos and create a timeless haircut that she even wore to her wedding.

Gen Z has popularized a similar look via TikTok. E-girl hairstyles with bleached/colored and chunky face-framing strands are immensely popular because they create a bold look without the commitment that comes with dying a full head of hair. Common colors are ash blonde, cherry pink, and peacock blue. Some opt for two-tone slut strands or even dye their curtain bangs in vivid hues for a more eye-catching look.

Slut strands, once dismissed as a fashion regret of the ‘90s, have made a huge comeback, in part because of their popularity in women’s winter Olympic sports. Just two strands of hair have the power to unite an entire generation of female athletes, serving as a symbol of feminism and resilience on the slopes. Fashion trends go in and out of style by nature, but even if slut strands become a thing of the past, their message will be passed onto the next generation of female snowboarders and skiers.