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, poofed, or curled with an iron. In some instances, an individual might choose to grow several tails as opposed to a single very long tail. A rattail is characterised by hair longer than the rest of the hair surrounding it.^[1]

The rattail saw a brief period of mainstream popularity during the mid to late 1980s. By the mid 90s it had rapidly fallen out of fashion.^{[citation needed]} However, it has recently^[2] seen renewed popularity.

Cultural prevalence

The rattail can be traced back to China during the 17th Century when the Manchu took over and established the Qing Dynasty. It was known as the Manchu Queue. In the 1980's Vietnamese refugees fled to Australia/USA. The Vietnamese youths were known to rock the rattail and popularised it throughout western culture. The Polynesians also have their variant of the rattail and it is called the "Horse Tail" They are usually thicker and more popular today within Australia/New Zealand youths. The rattail is usually associated with Asian youths, while horsetail is more associated within Polynesian youths.

Some punks and rivetheads have been known to sport rattails, although in a much more punk fashion, sometimes with the tail dyed a different color than the rest of the hair or by shaving the rest of the head, leaving only the tail. It is a very popular hairstyle in Broome, Western Australia and New Zealand, especially among boys, and is sometimes combined with shaved sides as a soft fauxhawk.

New Kids On The Block performer Jordan Knight wore a long braided rattail for much of his time with the band, which helped further the style's popularity.^{[citation needed]}

Former junior welterweight boxing champion Kostya Tszyu sported a rather famous rattail throughout his career.^[3]

Game developer Richard Garriott has worn a rattail since 1984. ^[4]

In the Star Wars universe, Jedi Padawans wear a rattail called a Padawan Braid until they are given the rank of Jedi Knight.

In the HBO series The Idol, the character Tedros played by The Weeknd sports a prominent rattail.^[5]