If you need a trendy casual look, these summer haircuts for men are cool and functional styles that will keep you fresh and looking good. These stylish men’s summer hairstyles are short, low-maintenance and flattering choices that can be easily achieved with a quick trip to the barber.
While some longer styles can still be practical, the most popular haircuts offer a balance between form and function to create a ruggedly handsome and charming vibe. Whether you’re going to the beach, a pool party or a Vegas day club, the right spring-to-summer style will elevate your look and help you stand out.
For inspiration, here are the best summer haircuts for men who want to stay cool and fresh.
Cool Men’s Summer Haircuts
Buzz Cut Fade
The buzz cut fade is a low-maintenance, masculine haircut for men who prefer a clean and fresh look. This short style can be an effortlessly cool option that requires no styling or product but may need frequent trims. With so many different types of fades, you can ask your barber for a high, mid or low skin fade to complement your buzzed hair. If you want to buzz your hair at home, invest in good clippers and maintain your cut regularly.
Side Swept Crew Cut
The side swept crew cut is a cool and modern military-inspired style for guys who want short hair with some styling flexibility. This classic haircut style features longer hair on top that can be swept to one side. Pair the cut with a mid fade and a short beard for a sharp and masculine look.
Textured French Crop
The textured French crop is a casual and youthful style that creates a fuller look. The style is deliberately loose and slightly messy on top, which contrasts nicely with the sharp line of the fringe. Use a pomade or lightweight gel on damp hair to achieve a piecey textured appearance.
Modern Quiff
The modern quiff is a stylish choice for guys who want a casually cool look in the summer. You can part your hair on the side, comb it over, leave it slightly tousled, or brush it forward and up in a textured style. Paired with a clean beard and mid to high fade, this look is sophisticated and sexy.
Comb Over Fade
The comb over fade is a versatile haircut for the modern gentleman who wants a style that can be classy or casual to suit any occasion. The trendy comb over can be defined by short tapered hair on the sides and back with longer hair on top. When styling, the look often features a deep part and a lifted swoop just above the forehead. It’s easy to achieve with a blow dryer, round brush, and some hairspray.
Short Curly Hair
Short curly hair is a fresh and easy style for guys who were born with a challenging texture. The curls can be used to create some major volume while the cropped cut and clean skin fade offer a trimmed summer style. The cut flatters the texture of curly or wavy hair with very little effort, but it always looks irresistible.
Messy Brushed Up Hair
The messy brushed up hair look is the perfect choice for trendsetters who like to turn heads. Cut the hair on top two to three inches long, then brush it straight up in the front. Use a texturizing pomade to move chunky pieces of hair on top in every direction, and pair the style with a shaved or buzzed undercut for emphasis.
Slick Back
The classic slick back is both gentlemanly and rugged, and there are several ways to wear and style this versatile cut. For summer, trim the hair on top to three or four inches in length and opt for a skin fade on the sides. Use strong pomade or gel to slick all the hair straight back for a sleek sexy finish.
High and Tight Fade
The traditional high and tight will always be a sensational summer look with a refreshing twist. You can consider asking your stylist for an extra high skin fade on the sides for some additional interest. An optional hard part on one or both sides can add even more visual appeal and help you make this cut your own.
Long Surfer Hair
Long surfer hair is a trendy summer style for guys who want to spend time at the beach. Luckily, you don’t have to be from California to rock the surfer look. To achieve the style, grow out your locks to just below shoulder length, then create an undefined part on one side. Golden highlights and caramel lowlights create a sun-kissed glow, and a few natural waves create a hot beachy look.
Brush Cut
The brush cut is a very short style for guys who prefer a trimmed and even look all over the head. The current trend calls for hair about a quarter inch long following the contour of the head. For a clean and refreshing look, pair the cut with a skin fade on the sides and a short, well-groomed beard.
Short Messy Hair
Short messy hair is a popular style that can be flirty and fun throughout the year. To achieve it, grow your hair to about three inches long, consider adding some blonde and platinum highlights, and pair the style with a taper fade. Use a round brush to give the hair on top some lift while maneuvering it up and back for a cool, casual look.
Bro Flow
The bro flow is a casual and carefree hairstyle that can be worn in several flattering ways. Your stylist will create an effortless look based on your hair’s natural shape and texture. Feel free to brush your hair away from your eyes, part it on the side, or even pull it back into a short ponytail.
Blowout with Taper Fade
The blowout with a taper fade is a cool hairstyle that requires a little practice with a blow dryer, a round brush and styling products. Work the gel through damp hair, then aim the blow dryer at individual sections wrapped around a thick round brush. For extra volume, allow your hair to completely cool before running your fingers through.
Hard Side Part with Tapered Sides
The hard side part with tapered sides look is a modern riff on the timeless comb over. Use a high-shine pomade or gel on damp hair, then brush it over from a well-defined hard part. Pair this with a high taper on the opposite side for a rugged and handsome look.
High Volume Brush Back
The high volume brush back is a flattering choice for guys who like to push the boundaries with bold and adventurous styles. To achieve the height, use some strong styling products and a blow dryer or a large-barreled curling iron to lift the hair on top. A mid skin fade and line up can add striking visual appeal.
Cropped Caesar with Fade
The cropped Caesar with fade can be a fashionable modern haircut that will work with any texture to create an eye-catching finish. Also known as the short French crop with bangs, this style comes with natural wave patterns that become apparent when the hair is cropped and brushed forward. The style stands out even more when paired with a high skin fade.
Fohawk Fade
The fohawk is a cool haircut for men who want to bridge the gap between punk rocker and soccer dad with an edgy look. This summer, pair a chunky fohawk with a fade and a slightly curved line design on the side for a modish look you can wear every day. For more formal events, tone down the height and hold everything in place with some high-shine gel.
Cool Ivy League
The Ivy League haircut is a classy look that features a crew cut with a longer side-swept fringe and some texture. The hair on top should be at least an inch long while the bangs must be slightly longer and styled to one side. A skin fade on the sides and back will complement the hairstyle. For the perfect finish, some matte texturizing pomade will help you create the matte textured look. This summer style is cute, versatile and fun for men of all ages.
Modern Mohawk Fade
The modern mohawk fade is a trendy take on the traditional style that is suitable for any occasion. The strip of hair down the center is wider than the archetypal mohawk. Rather than the quintessential undercut to create bold contrast, this version features a burst fade for a more gradual transition. The mohawk fade is a cool summer look that allows you to experiment with a stylish and fun choice.
Short Pompadour Fade
The short pompadour fade is an understated and handsome take on the classic pomp. The hair on top is styled upward and backward in the same manner, but thanks to the shorter hair length, this version is far more subdued. The mid skin fade on the sides and back creates a stunning transition between the lengths, offering the illusion of more height.
Effortless Ponytail
The effortless ponytail is a youthful and chic men’s hairstyle that can be paired with a suit and tie at the office, a baseball jersey or a swimsuit. To do it, just pull your shoulder-length hair back into a short pony at the back of your head. Rather than pulling your hair all the way through at the last pass, pull it through about halfway for a half bun, half ponytail look.
Short Spiked Hair with Fade
The short spiked hair with fade look is trendy, fun, and surprisingly easy to style. This style takes the shape of a French crop, but it’s slightly longer and the fade starts lower on the sides of the head. Brush the hair on top forward and upward for texture and lift. For a bolder statement, add a hard part, a skin fade, a meticulously shaped beard, and even an off-the-wall color to the mix.
Shaved Head
The shaved head look has been a popular summer style for decades, but despite what you might believe, it isn’t the easiest look to maintain. To rock this sexy and sophisticated look, you will need to shave and moisturize your head every single day. If you like the rugged and manly look, pair it with stubble or a full beard.
Messy Quiff with Bald Fade
The messy quiff with bald fade is a youthful and fearless hairstyle that is perfect for the fashion-forward. This cut starts with the classic quiff, and it involves using texturizing pomade to create a slightly tousled and piecey finish. The bald fade on the sides contrasts nicely with the messy styling on top.
Tight Curls with High Skin Fade
If you want to embrace your natural hair texture this summer, try tight curls with a high skin fade. The style takes the shape of a crew cut, but instead of very short hair on top, your stylist can manipulate your curls into tiny twists. Wear this cut with a high skin fade to draw even more attention to the fashionable texture on top.
Waves
Waves are everywhere this summer, and hairstyles are no exception. This fresh look starts with very short almost buzzed-length hair without any scalp showing through. Use a wave brush to create the unique pattern, and, for long-lasting results, wear a wave cap to bed at night. A bald fade and sharp line up at the forehead will add extra sex appeal.
Thick Curly Hair Fade
The thick curly hair fade is an excellent option for guys who want to show off their natural texture without extra length. This look mimics the shape of the classic Caesar cut, but the top is left significantly longer to allow the curls to shine. Use a curl-defining pomade for polish and ask for a high skin fade. It will draw the eye upward by creating the illusion of more height.
Short Sides with Long Hair on Top
A short sides with long top haircut is the most versatile style for guys who want endless options. Whether you want a quiff, comb over, crew cut or slick back, getting a fade or undercut can take your hairstyle to the next level. The longer hair on top can be brushed forward, back or to the side for a stylish finish.
Short Side Swept Fringe with High Fade
The short side-swept fringe with high fade is a phenomenal haircut for guys who want to use fringe to balance a big forehead or long face shape. Ask your stylist for a crew cut-like shape but leave the hair in the front two to three inches long. Sweep this longer section of hair off to one side for a charming and boyish appearance.
Man Bun
The man bun is a popular longer summer hairstyle for guys who want to maintain their length but tend to overheat when wearing their hair down. Whether you have curly, straight or wavy hair, brush your locks to the back, twist the strands around and secure the style with an elastic. You can keep the hair neat or let some tendrils hang free for a more carefree look.
Short Curly Afro
The short curly afro is an iconic haircut for black men that creates a handsome and stylish look. With a skin fade on the sides and back, this afro is a modern variation that will always be fashionable. Ask your stylist or barber to shape your afro to about the middle of the back of your head. Combine this with a skin fade that starts at the temples and works its way around to the nape of your neck. A crisp line up at the forehead and temple gives a clean finish.
Popular Summer Hairstyles For Men
The most popular summer men’s hairstyles are the messy modern quiff, comb over fade, brushed back undercut, French crop, short curly hair taper and crew cut. These trendy haircuts are masculine and low-maintenance options that will keep you fresh and clean-cut. With short sides and a longer hairstyle on top, you can create all the coolest summer styles.
