If you’ve ever driven through El Paso, Las Cruces, or anywhere between Texas and New Mexico, you’ve probably seen groups of kids proudly sporting bold hairstyles and cowboy boots. It’s a normal sight, right?
Well, it turns out that some of these fashion choices are actually against the law—at least in Mesquite, Texas. And no, we’re not joking.
Kids Are Breaking the Law With Haircuts?
Yes, really. According to a local law in Mesquite, it’s illegal for kids to have “unusual haircuts”. The law is rarely enforced, but it still exists in the books.
Thousands of kids across Texas and New Mexico are walking around unknowingly breaking this obscure rule. They’re showing off wild fades, vibrant hair colors, and artistic hair designs—basically, anything that’s not a traditional haircut. Most people don’t even think twice about it, but technically, in Mesquite, it’s a legal issue.
What Counts as an “Unusual Haircut”?
The law doesn’t clearly define what makes a haircut “unusual,” which adds to the confusion. It could be anything that stands out—bright colors, sharp shapes, symbols shaved into the sides, or styles that go against local norms.
Of course, today’s youth love expressing themselves through fashion and hair. So, unless someone digs up this law and decides to enforce it, most kids have no idea they’re breaking any rules.
Should We Be Worried?
The mention of kids breaking the law may sound dramatic, but this law is more amusing than alarming. That said, if it were ever enforced seriously, Texas might collect more money in fines from hair violations than New Mexico makes from legal marijuana sales. That’s saying something.
Joking aside, it does raise the question: Should old-fashioned laws like this still be active in modern times?
Fashion Laws Don’t Stop There
The fun (or strange) fashion rules don’t end with hair. In true Texas style, there are also unwritten rules when it comes to cowboy fashion.
For example:
- Don’t tuck your pants into one boot unless you actually own cattle—at least 10 head. Otherwise, you might just be seen as a poser.
- Cowboy boots and hats also come with their own “codes of conduct.” In Texas, people take their Western wear seriously. That cowboy hat you own? There’s a right and wrong way to wear it depending on the occasion.
Should Beauty Schools Teach the Law?
Some people have even joked that beauty schools should include a class on legal hairstyle awareness, especially in towns like Mesquite. Maybe barbershops should have counselors on site to “intervene” before someone gets an illegal cut!
Of course, these suggestions are all tongue-in-cheek, but they highlight how strange and outdated some local laws can be.