In defence of the side part: All the proof you need that this 'cheugy' style isn't cancelled.

2021 was full of many not great things. Pandemics. Civil unrest. Political battles. And, of course... the massive hair division. 

In case you don't recall, that's when Gen Z shamed the absolute millennial out of us over our side parts (let's... not talk about the skinny jeans).

Watch: Got one of those fancy Mermade Hair Wavers and don't have a clue how to use it? SAME. Let's learn. Post continues below.

It all started with this clip from @Lady-Gleep, who said, "Prove me wrong, but I don’t think there is a single person who looks better with a side part than they do a middle part." 

All of us. 

In a monstrous move, she then declared "the middle part is far more supreme" - telling anyone with a side part to... change to a middle one. 

@glowyberd When I don’t have bangs I rock the middle part I swear #BeautyTutorial #fyp #middlepart ♬ Middle part baddies - glowy berd

The #middlepartchallenge was then born, and the beloved side part style was absolutely dragged through the streets of TikTok, labelled 'cheugy' and 'cancelled'.

I heard that Gen Z said you look old if you part your hair on the side so I did a center part and now I look like I'm in a cult.

— Allison Carter (@AllisonLCarter) February 2, 2021

... Or so we thought. 

Because as it turns out, the side part isn't really dead. Nah. It's still very much alive and kicking. In fact, we're going to go as far to say it's very much the 'in' thing for hair at the moment. 

Yep. We said it.

It all started when we saw K.Stew on the 2022 Oscars red carpet. There was something about her side part that just felt... nice. Comforting. Like a warm hug. 

And then all of a sudden... there were more side parts. And more. From Billie Eilish to Zendaya, Mila Kunis to Jennifer Garner.

And then we watched - enthralled - as the side part continued to OWN the red carpet.

Goodness, it felt good.

So, in defence of the side part, please enjoy a bunch of celebrities proving a trend isn't dead until they say it's dead.

Kristen Stewart.

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Billie Eilish.

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Zendaya.

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Mindy Kaling.

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Mila Kunis.

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Penelope Cruz.

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Jessica Chastain.

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Jennifer Garner.

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Amy Schumer.

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Kirsten Dunst

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Rita Ora.

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Maude Apatow.

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Laura Harrier.

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Caitriona Balfe.

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Taylor Hill.

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Halsey.

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Feature Image: Getty; Mamamia; Instagram/@entertainmenttonight.