Short haircuts have been a staple of men’s fashion for decades, offering a clean, polished look that’s both practical and stylish. Whether you’re a businessman, an athlete, or just someone who appreciates low-maintenance grooming, there’s a classic short hairstyle that’s perfect for you.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 20 timeless short haircuts for men, detailing each style and offering tips on how to achieve and maintain these looks.
1. The Crew Cut
The crew cut is a quintessential military-inspired haircut that’s been popular for generations. This no-nonsense style features hair that’s cut short and even on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top. The top is usually trimmed to a uniform length or gradually tapered from front to back.
To achieve the crew cut:
- Start with clippers set to a short length (usually #2 or #3) for the sides and back.
- Use scissors or longer clipper settings to trim the top, leaving it about 1 inch long.
- Blend the sides into the top for a seamless transition.
The crew cut is ideal for men with straight or slightly wavy hair and works well for most face shapes. It’s a low-maintenance style that’s perfect for those who want a clean, professional look without much fuss.
2. The Buzz Cut
The buzz cut is the ultimate short haircut, featuring hair clipped very close to the scalp all over the head. This military-inspired style is one of the easiest to maintain and exudes a rugged, masculine appeal.
To get the buzz cut:
- Choose a single clipper length (usually between #1 and #4) for the entire head.
- Run the clippers over your entire scalp, moving against the direction of hair growth.
- Pay extra attention to the crown and neckline to ensure even coverage.
The buzz cut is ideal for men with well-shaped heads and strong facial features. It’s also a great option for those dealing with thinning hair or receding hairlines, as it minimizes the appearance of hair loss.
3. The Ivy League
Also known as the Harvard Clip or Princeton, the Ivy League is a sophisticated variation of the crew cut. It features slightly longer hair on top, allowing for more styling options while maintaining a neat, professional appearance.
To achieve the Ivy League:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #3 or #4 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 1-2 inches in length.
- Gradually taper the hair from front to back and blend it with the sides.
- Style the top with a side part or brush it forward for a more textured look.
This versatile cut works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s perfect for men who want a polished look that can be dressed up or down.
4. The High and Tight
The high and tight is another military-inspired cut that’s gained popularity in civilian circles. It features very short hair on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top, creating a stark contrast.
To get the high and tight:
- Buzz the sides and back very short (usually with a #1 or #2 guard).
- Leave the top longer, typically about 1 inch in length.
- Create a distinct line where the short sides meet the longer top.
This bold style works best for men with straight hair and strong facial features. It’s a low-maintenance cut that’s perfect for those who want a clean, edgy look.
5. The French Crop
The French crop is a stylish and modern take on the classic Caesar cut. It features short, textured hair on top with even shorter sides and back. The defining characteristic is the short fringe (bangs) that’s cut straight across the forehead.
To achieve the French crop:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 1-2 inches in length.
- Texturize the top using point cutting or thinning shears.
- Cut a straight fringe across the forehead.
This versatile style works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s particularly flattering for men with high foreheads or receding hairlines.
6. The Textured Crop
Similar to the French crop, the textured crop features short sides and back with longer, heavily textured hair on top. The main difference is that the fringe is often left longer and more tousled for a messier, more casual look.
To get the textured crop:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Heavily texturize the top using point cutting or thinning shears.
- Style with a matte product for a tousled, bed-head look.
This style is perfect for men with thick hair who want a low-maintenance yet fashionable look. It works particularly well for those with round or square face shapes.
7. The Regulation Cut
The regulation cut is a classic military style that’s similar to the crew cut but with a more defined taper on the sides and back. It features short hair all over, with a gradual transition from very short sides to slightly longer hair on top.
To achieve the regulation cut:
- Start with a #2 or #3 guard on the sides and back, gradually increasing the length as you move up.
- Blend the sides into the top, which should be about 1 inch long.
- Taper the neckline and around the ears for a clean finish.
This timeless style is suitable for most hair types and face shapes. It’s an excellent choice for men who want a neat, professional look that’s easy to maintain.
8. The Short Pompadour
The short pompadour is a modern take on the classic 1950s style. It features short sides and back with longer hair on top that’s swept back and up to create volume.
To get the short pompadour:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Gradually taper the hair from front to back.
- Style by brushing the hair back and up, using a pomade or styling cream for hold.
This stylish cut works best for men with thick, straight hair. It’s particularly flattering for those with oval or oblong face shapes.
9. The Butch Cut
The butch cut is a very short, all-over cut that’s similar to the buzz cut but slightly longer. It typically features hair that’s about 1/4 inch long all over the head.
To achieve the butch cut:
- Use clippers with a #4 or #5 guard all over the head.
- Ensure even coverage by running the clippers in multiple directions.
- Pay extra attention to the crown and neckline for a uniform look.
This low-maintenance style is ideal for men with all hair types and works well for most face shapes. It’s a great option for those who want an extremely easy-to-maintain cut.
10. The Caesar Cut
Named after Julius Caesar, this classic style features short, layered hair that’s brushed forward on top with a short, horizontal fringe.
To get the Caesar cut:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #3 or #4 guard).
- Leave the top slightly longer, about 1-2 inches in length.
- Layer the top hair and cut a short, straight fringe.
- Style by brushing the hair forward and applying a light styling product.
This timeless cut works well for most hair types and is particularly flattering for men with receding hairlines or high foreheads.
11. The Short Quiff
The short quiff is a stylish variation of the pompadour that features shorter sides and a more textured top. It’s characterized by hair that’s brushed up and back at the front, creating a small “quiff.”
To achieve the short quiff:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length, with the front slightly longer than the back.
- Texturize the top using point cutting or thinning shears.
- Style by brushing the front hair up and back, using a matte product for hold and texture.
This modern style works best for men with straight or slightly wavy hair. It’s particularly flattering for those with oval or diamond-shaped faces.
12. The Fade
The fade is a popular style that features hair gradually tapering from longer on top to very short or bald at the sides and back. There are various types of fades, including low, mid, and high fades.
To get a fade:
- Start with the desired length on top (usually 1-3 inches).
- Begin the fade at the chosen point (low, mid, or high on the sides).
- Gradually decrease the clipper guard size as you move down the head.
- Blend each section carefully for a seamless transition.
Fades work well with most hair types and face shapes. They’re particularly popular among men who want a clean, modern look with some style versatility on top.
13. The Short Slick Back
The short slick back is a sleek, professional style that features short sides with longer hair on top that’s combed straight back.
To achieve the short slick back:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Gradually taper the hair from front to back.
- Style by combing the hair straight back, using a pomade or gel for a slick finish.
This sophisticated style works best for men with straight or slightly wavy hair. It’s particularly flattering for those with square or oval face shapes.
14. The Textured Buzz Cut
The textured buzz cut is a modern variation of the classic buzz cut that features slightly longer hair on top with added texture for a more stylish look.
To get the textured buzz cut:
- Use a #2 or #3 guard on the sides and back.
- Use a #4 or #5 guard on top.
- Texturize the top using thinning shears or a razor.
- Style with a small amount of matte product for added definition.
This low-maintenance style works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s perfect for men who want a bit more style than a traditional buzz cut offers.
15. The Short Spiky Hair
Short spiky hair is a playful, youthful style that features short sides and back with slightly longer, textured hair on top that’s styled into spikes.
To achieve short spiky hair:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 1-2 inches in length.
- Texturize the top heavily using point cutting or thinning shears.
- Style by applying a strong-hold product and using your fingers to create spikes.
This energetic style works best for men with straight, thick hair. It’s particularly flattering for those with round or oval face shapes.
16. The Flat Top
The flat top is a distinctive style that features short sides and back with longer hair on top that’s cut to create a flat, level appearance when styled upright.
To get the flat top:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #1 or #2 guard).
- Leave the top longer, typically 1-2 inches.
- Use scissors to cut the top hair so it’s perfectly level when standing up.
- Blend the sides into the top for a seamless transition.
- Style using a strong-hold gel or pomade to keep the hair standing upright.
This bold style works best for men with straight, thick hair. It’s particularly striking on those with square or oval face shapes.
17. The Short Faux Hawk
The short faux hawk is a toned-down version of the mohawk, featuring short sides with slightly longer hair on top that’s styled into a central strip.
To achieve the short faux hawk:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #2 or #3 guard).
- Leave a strip of longer hair down the center of the head, about 1-2 inches long.
- Gradually taper the sides into the longer top.
- Style by applying product and using your fingers to push the central hair up and together.
This edgy style works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s perfect for men who want a bold look that’s still appropriate for most settings.
18. The Short Messy Look
The short messy look is a casual, effortless style that features short sides and back with slightly longer, tousled hair on top.
To get the short messy look:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #3 or #4 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Texturize the top heavily using point cutting or thinning shears.
- Style by applying a matte product and using your fingers to create a tousled, bed-head look.
This relaxed style works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s ideal for men who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look.
19. The Short Side Part
The short side part is a classic, refined style that features short sides and back with slightly longer hair on top that’s parted to one side.
To achieve the short side part:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #3 or #4 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Create a part on one side of the head.
- Style by combing the hair to either side of the part, using a pomade for a polished finish.
This timeless style works well for most hair types and face shapes. It’s perfect for men who want a versatile look that can be dressed up or down.
20. The Short Curly Cut
The short curly cut is designed to embrace and enhance natural curls while keeping hair neat and manageable.
To get the short curly cut:
- Clip the sides and back short (usually with a #3 or #4 guard).
- Leave the top longer, about 2-3 inches in length.
- Use scissors to shape and define the curls on top.
- Style by applying a curl-enhancing product and allowing hair to air dry or using a diffuser.
This stylish cut is ideal for men with naturally curly or wavy hair. It works well with most face shapes and is perfect for those who want to celebrate their natural texture.
In conclusion, these 20 classic short haircuts for men offer a range of styles to suit every preference, hair type, and face shape. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance buzz cut or a more stylized quiff, there’s a short haircut that’s perfect for you. Remember to consult with a professional barber to find the best style for your individual features and lifestyle. With the right cut and a little styling know-how, you can achieve a timeless, masculine look that never goes out of fashion.