expression, noun
slicked-back hair; hair smoothed down
Refers to hair that has been combed or pressed flat, often with oil or water, giving a neat, controlled appearance. The term is a noun phrase describing the hairstyle itself.
彼は撫で付け髪で会議に現れた。
He showed up at the meeting with his hair slicked back.
撫で付け髪は昔のサラリーマンの典型的な髪型だ。
Slicked-back hair is a typical hairstyle of old-time salarymen.
撫で付ける is the verb meaning 'to smooth down (hair)', while 撫で付け髪 is the resulting hairstyle.
Compound of 撫で付け (なでつけ, the continuative form of 撫で付ける 'to smooth down') + 髪 (かみ 'hair').