MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

'Pigtail theory': Here's how TikTok trend encourages you to experiment with your hair

TikTokers have been making videos experimenting with the pigtail idea since the original video about the theory went viral

The 'Pigtail Theory' asserts that wearing your hair in bunches while working as a server, waitress, or stripper results in much larger tips. It started after a user identified as Grace claimed in a video that she received greater tips when she wore pigtails to work. Later in 2022, Grace's TikTok video reappeared when Stirling's clip about enjoying the hairdo had nearly 4.2 million views.

Since then, the trend has grown stronger. Pigtails have long been associated with youth in pop culture, with characters like Angelica Pickles, Bubbles, Boo, Emma Bunton, and Britney Spears all wearing them.

READ MORE

Try Bouba and kiki effect on TikTok to reveal who you are attracted to

TikToker uses wood shellac as hair spray. What happens next?

What is the pigtail theory?

A short but impactful TikTok video about wearing pigtails to work was submitted in September 2021 by TikTok user, Grace. She is depicted in it sporting pigtail braids, a pink cap, and a black T-shirt. Grace appears to be a typical employee in the service sector—comfortable and well-groomed.

Grace captioned the video, "When you wear pigtails to work, and make double the amount of tips than usual." It is implied that she received higher tips, most likely from male clients, as pigtails tend to make wearers appear considerably younger. The experience she described was shared by many people who used the hashtag "pigtail theory."

TikTok encourages women to wear pigtails

TikTokers have been making videos experimenting with the pigtail idea since the original video about it went viral. Typically, they explain the idea, demonstrate how to put their hair up in pigtails, and then discuss the results in the videos, KnowYourMeme reported.

According to many of the videos, the girls did in fact receive higher tips when they wore their hair up in pigtails. Some further allege that older guys "creeped on them" more when they had their pigtails in, indicating a troubling trend. All that is left to consider is whether it is worthwhile to enable possibly predatory guys in order to gain access to more money.

A woman shared her pigtail experiment on twitter, saying, "testing the pigtail theory today, lets see how it goes."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.