Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons currently has 36 unique hairstyles. A handful of these styles are available at the start of the game, and the rest can be unlocked by purchasing hairstyle packs at the Nook Stop. Originally the packs lacked diversity, with the majority of options geared towards straight-haired styles and omitting curly and diverse hair types. While steps have been taken to improve selection, there is still a shortage of more inclusive styles in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and the addition of another style pack might help improve the selection.
The first extra hairstyle pack was added during the Animal Crossing Winter Update in November of 2020. The pack included short loc styles, an afro, and a smooth, shaved option, among others. However, the 6 new styles didn't address the lack of curly hair options, or long diverse styles that would help more players feel included when making their character. These hairstyles also can't be accessed until players are established in their game and can purchase the pack, creating unfair hurdles to be able to use more inclusive styles.
The lack of representation in Animal Crossing has been discussed by fans on Reddit, who have gone so far as to build their own hairstyle options to mod into their games. Players like Mimilegend discuss the lack of interest Animal Crossing has shown to other hair types before the Winter Update, and how it has lead to frustration and sadness among players who hoped modern games would be more invested in the diversity of their fanbases. While Animal Crossing has taken a step in the right direction with recent updates, there are a few more styles that could help bridge the holes still present in the game's selection.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Could Add Curly Hair Options
Currently, there are several different hairstyles Animal Crossing should add in future updates. Long locs and braids would give New Horizons players more long-hair options to select from. Curly hairstyles are also lacking, and a set of styles focusing on ringlets, thick curls, and tight curls in varying lengths would fill out the missing types. Animal Crossing would also benefit from adding a few more wavy styles, or longer braids, to shake up the many ponytail options currently included in the game's style packs.
While it isn't clear when there could be another style pack in upcoming updates, or if it is something developers have in the works, hopefully, more information will be available soon. With Animal Crossing's 1st anniversary around the corner, and spring and summer events coming up on Animal Crossing's calendar, there will be plenty of opportunities for more content to be added to what is already available in the game. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an adventure based on self-expression and creativity, and adding more character customization options would only improve how this is expressed on each unique island.
Source: Reddit