The gentleman haircut is a classic style that looks flattering and stylish. Great for guys with short, medium and long hair, these sophisticated hairstyles work well for professional men who need cuts that transition easily between work and casual settings.
Inspired by traditional looks, classic gentleman’s haircut styles are typically shorter and emulate the suave features of the side part, comb over and slick back. The modern gentleman starts with a fade, taper or undercut on the sides and back and keeps the hair on top longer for limitless styling options.
To inspire you with cuts and styles, we’ve compiled a list of the best gentleman haircuts to get right now. Whether you want a short haircut with a taper fade or a longer style that flows, explore these dapper cuts to find a chic and fashionable hairstyle you’ll love!
Elegant Gentleman Haircut Variations
Crew Cut
The crew cut is a cool, fresh, and unapologetically short haircut. Designed for its functionality, this minimalist cut is the ultimate low-maintenance hairstyle and can be styled to work with all hair types and textures. While the military-style dictates an even length all around, the modern crew cut haircut is often paired with a skin fade, taper, or undercut on the sides and back.
With a timeless appeal, this short cut looks good in every setting and is simple to style with some pomade, wax, or cream for a textured finish. The only upkeep is that you’ll need regular trims to keep it clean and sharp.
Slick Back
The slick back fully embraces the suave aesthetic of the refined modern man. This vintage look has the appearance of a man who could have confidently stepped off the set of Mad Men and into the modern world without a second thought. The slick back hairstyle works well with thick straight hair trimmed at a medium length, and is best achieved using a strong, shiny pomade or gel. Because this is such a sleek and professional look, it styles handsomely with a clean face or light stubble but can be paired with a full beard as well. Clean and bold, the slick back is a statement haircut for the modern gentleman.
Bro Flow
The bro flow is a casual and sexy longer hairstyle for guys who want to maintain medium length hair for a chic style. This look has a carefree, minimal upkeep attitude. The bro flow is great for guys with straight, wavy, and curly hair. To maintain the style, you’ll need to use a quality shampoo and conditioner to enhance volume and fullness but stop frizz. Pair this hairstyle with some light stubble or a short beard to complete the look. Like the fringe, just add a low-hold product such as styling cream to texture the hair and reduce potential frizz.
Comb Over
Whether you want a casual look or are planning to attend a formal event, the comb over is a way to elevate your hairstyle. The comb over is neat and polished, giving the modern gentleman an air of class and refinement. As one of the best haircuts for adding volume to your hair, this is a great choice for guys with all hair types. The cut is easily styled, although the sides should be tapered or faded to keep the look fresh.
Side Part
The side part is the classic gentleman’s haircut, allowing you to achieve a clean-cut and stylish look with effortless styling. Classy and undeniably handsome, the side part works with any face shape and hair texture. For men who aren’t sure what style will work best for them, the side part is a good place to start. The look is easy to achieve with just a comb and some gel, and requires minimal upkeep without sacrificing style.
Fade Haircut
The fade haircut has become the most common way for guys to cut their sides and back. While most gentleman styles were traditionally paired with a taper on the sides, trends have changed in recent years and guys are opting for shorter cuts. Low-maintenance and sophisticated, popular gentleman haircuts are combined with a fade to elevate the hairstyle and focus the eyes on top. Guys can choose to get a low, mid or high fade cut and then tailor it further with a drop or skin fade. Universally flattering and versatile, the best men’s hairstyles often come with a fade haircut on the back and sides.
Ivy League
The Ivy League is a dapper haircut for the classy gentleman. This sophisticated men’s hairstyle could easily be styled by the likes of James Bond, Don Draper, and other men experienced with the finer things in life. The Ivy League haircut gives you both class and manageability. This style works for both short and medium length hair, and you can go slightly longer between cuts than the crew cut. Nevertheless, you’ll still want regular cuts to keep this hairstyle clean and fresh.
Quiff
The quiff is one of the most popular haircuts for men who want a refined and masculine look. Versatile and trendy, the quiff can be paired perfectly with everything from a professional suit for work to jeans on date night. The quiff works for short to medium length hair, a variety of textures, and is an easy cut to style and manage. Undeniably timeless, the quiff is a classic hairstyle for men everywhere.
Fringe
The fringe is a classic but casually cool look that gives some texture and design to your natural hairstyle. Thicker wavy or curly hair will naturally fall into a fringe, but that doesn’t mean it is only for those hair textures. The fringe is one of the easiest styles for the man in a hurry; just add product for some texture and hold, then let it go.
Buzz Cut
The buzz cut is without a doubt an easy and low-maintenance men’s hairstyle worth getting right now. The buzz cut requires zero styling, and is ready at a moment’s notice. This look does require frequent cuts to maintain, but those cuts are simple and could easily be done at home with clippers. Buzzed haircuts look great with beards for a strong, manly finish. Whether you have thick hair and want a clean look or have thinning hair and prefer to minimize the contrast, the buzz cut is a great option.
Mid Fade
The mid fade is one of the most popular types of fades for men to get. The mid fade haircut offers the perfect balance between a low and high fade, allowing you to get an edgy modern cut without exposing too much scalp. This cut pairs well with any hair texture and length, and can be fitting for any occasion. This fade cut will mean frequent trips to your barber, but it is so versatile that it’s well worth the effort. Modern and trendy, the haircut works well with the slick back, comb over, quiff, side part, pompadour, faux hawk, crew cut, and messy styles.
Short Back and Sides
The short back and sides haircut is a fashionable style that continues to be a hot hair trend in barber shops around the world. Whether you want a cool cut or need a professional hairstyle, short hair on the back and sides can complement every look. Handsome and fresh, your short haircut can be a fade, taper, or undercut, but the result is a nice cut that highlights the hairstyle on top. This look stands out but also gives you more balanced features. Make sure to invest in a top-rated hair product to enjoy countless styling options.
Hard Part
The hard part is a modern take on the side part and comb over hairstyles. To get a hard parted haircut, your barber uses a razor to shave a thick line and create a defined part. Most guys get a taper or fade on the sides and back to highlight the longer hair and styling on top. From a clean shave to a full beard, the cut works with all types of facial hair. Because it requires precision and a fresh cut, the parted look requires more maintenance than other hairstyles, with daily styling and regular barber visits to maintain the part.
Wet Hairstyle
Much like the slick back, wet hairstyles are sleek and stylish, and are perfect for guys with short to medium length hair. The fade adds a trendy adaptation to this vintage hairstyle, providing the contrast necessary to draw attention to the suave look. This style is best achieved using a mid to high hold product with a high shine such as pomade or gel. As a nice blend between classic refinement and new fashion, we recommend you grow a full beard that is trimmed and well-groomed.
Taper Fade Comb Over
The taper fade comb over is another way to blend modern and traditional styles. The taper fade haircut can be trimmed high, medium, or low to accommodate your desired look. The comb over fade styles naturally with a beard, so feel free to grow and trim short facial hair for a masculine look. Just make sure to maintain and groom it regularly for a stylish finish.
High and Tight
The high and tight is a military-style haircut that leaves the sides faded, tapered or shaved, and the hair on top slightly longer. With its military roots, this is a strong and masculine hairstyle that falls between the crew cut and buzz cut. You’ll want to use a matte pomade or wax for a textured look. Add a short or long beard to complete the masculine aesthetic if you’d like.
French Crop
The French crop is a short gentleman’s haircut that is meant to be modern and easy with a classic vibe. Also known as a crop top, this hairstyle is great for textured hair and is flattering for any face shape. With an air of confidence and sophistication, the French crop is often combined with a fade to create a trendy cropped style. Use a light hold, low shine styling product such as clay or wax for achieving this unique look.
Butch Cut
The butch cut is essentially a slightly longer buzz cut, putting it up there with one of the more masculine, no-nonsense haircuts. This cut is ideal for men with thick, coarse hair textures, and short facial hair. The look exudes strength and confidence but should be reserved for guys with strong facial features. The butch cut is practical yet daring and can be easily cut at home with hair clippers.
Short Afro
The short afro is an ideal cut for black men who want the practicality of a short haircut without sacrificing length. The short afro hairstyle looks great on guys with thick curly hair and is generally cut with a fade on the sides. Use a product with a matte finish for a more natural look, or a high shine product for sleek curls. Any fade styles beautifully with full facial hair, and black men who appreciate the afro hairstyle will be well-advised to maintain a nice beard for the look.
Curly Hair Taper Fade
The taper fade with short curls is a cool haircut for guys with curly hair who want to control their locks. The shorter curls will reduce the amount of time spent with styling and managing, keep them out of your face, and reduce frizz. The taper fade is a sure way to add a cool, and refreshing touch to a gentleman’s curls.
Clean Shave
The clean shave takes confidence but pays off in a strong, masculine appearance. This style works best for men with a neck-and-shoulders build, and pairs very well with some facial hair such as heavy stubble or a thick beard. For a man who is thinning or losing his hair, a shaved bald head is a way to embrace a clean look and exude confidence in the process.
