When it comes to low-maintenance haircuts, the high and tight is one of the most popular styles to try this year. The high and tight haircut is a military-inspired cut that offers a practical and stylish look for guys who want a masculine style. While the classic version will make you look like a marine, the high and tight fade is a modern hairstyle that resembles a buzz cut but with some extra length and flexibility. Whether you want a professional cut that looks rugged and handsome for work or a simple and sharp trim for a functional finish, there are high and tight hairstyles to consider.
Some men will want a short high and tight with a fade on the sides and back for a modern cut, while others may need longer hair on top with an undercut for versatile styling. With so many different types, it can be tricky picking the perfect hairstyle for your needs. To inspire you with ideas, we’ve compiled a list of the best high and tight haircuts for men to get right now. From short to long and fade to undercut, explore these high and tight hairstyles to find cool cuts and trendy styles you’ll love.
What Is The High and Tight Haircut?
The high and tight is a classic military men’s hairstyle featuring short hair on the sides, back and top. The high and tight haircut starts with a taper fade or buzzed cut on the sides and back with slightly longer hair on top. While there are many different types of fade haircuts to consider, the most popular cut is a high skin fade that tapers the hair into the skin. Some guys will ask their barber for no fade, preferring an undercut or shaved sides for an edgy look. If you want the gentleman’s version, you may even request a low and tight, a short haircut that features a low taper fade.
Similar to a buzz or crew cut, the modern high and tight offers many styling variations and can be styled into a comb over, French crop, pompadour or spiked hair. This low-maintenance haircut for men looks great with most face shapes and has been worn by celebrities, including David Beckham and Brad Pitt.
High and Tight Hairstyles
Buzz Cut with High Skin Fade
High Skin Fade with Short Side Part
High Fade with Short Crew Cut
Mid Fade with Hard Part and Brush Up
High and Tight Fade with Crew Cut
Skin Fade with Short Texturd Top
Bald Fade with Slicked Back Hair
Butch Cut with Beard
Hard Part Fade with French Crop
High and Tight Skin Fade
Burr Cut with Bald Fade
Low Skin Fade with Short Tight Top
High Fade with Buzz Cut
High Fade with Wavy Brushed Back Hair
Shaved Sides with Buzz Cut Top and Hair Design
Skin Fade with Hard Side Part
Mid Bald Fade with Very Short Top
How To Cut A High and Tight Haircut
The high and tight haircut consists of trimmed hair around the sides of the head with longer hair at the top. Generally, the contrast of the high and tight cut looks best with a high skin fade.
To get a high and tight haircut, your barber will start by using hair clippers to fade the sides. Your side hair needs to be cut at a length of #0 to #3, while the hair on top will use guard sizes #3 to #5.
The only tricky part of the haircut is pulling off a clean, tight fade; otherwise, using clippers to buzz the hair is all that you need to do in order to get the cut.
What Do I Need For The High and Tight?
Not much is required to get the high and tight hairstyle for men. However, you’ll need at least an inch of hair length on top of your head to avoid getting a simple buzz cut. Otherwise, no special hair styling products are necessary.
If you plan to cut a high and tight yourself at home, ensure that you have a functional pair of hair clippers with guards ranging from #0 to #5, although you’ll mostly need the #0, #1, and #2 sizes. This will help you properly fade or get the length of cut you want.
Although product is not necessary for the hairstyle, having some pomade, putty or wax around certainly won’t hurt. Applying hair product to the style, even though it is short, can offer some shine and hold for a sleeker, more stylish look appropriate for work or your social life.
