When it comes to hairstyles these days men tend to fall into two camps: those who rock long hair and those who keep theirs short.
If you are not a fan of the man bun, mullet or dreads then you’ll firmly be on team short.
But whilst you might think longer hair gives you a bit more scope to style it in different ways, there is a lot more you can do with shorter hair than just a short back and sides.
Outlined below are 14 popular short hairstyles and haircuts for men that you can adopt. Each of which is easy to create and simple to maintain.
The Pompadour
The pompadour is a classic and sophisticated hairstyle that was famously adopted by Elvis, Chuck Berry and Johnny Cash. It involves brushing the hair upward and back, creating volume and height at the front of the head.
The hair is typically styled with pomade, wax, or gel to create a smooth, polished finish, and the length of the hair on top can range from a few inches to several inches, depending on personal preference.
Both the sides and back of the hair can be trimmed to a shorter length or buzzed, creating a high-contrast look. The pompadour is a popular choice for men who want to add a touch of sophistication and style to their look, and it can be adapted to suit a range of face shapes and hair types.
Comb Over with Hard Side Part
This stylish men’s haircut involves combing the hair to one side to create a deep and defined side part.
The hard side part gives the comb over a distinct and defined look, which makes it really stand out. Just the likes of Ronaldo, Justin Timberlake and George Clooney have all rocked it in recent years.
Swept Back Pompadour
As you would imagine from its name, the swept-back pompadour is similar to the pompadour only the hair is swept back at the top.
This hairstyle can be adapted to suit a range of face shapes and hair types and is very much in vogue currently with the younger crowd. It has recently been seen on David Beckham.
Messy Hairstyle
A ‘messy hairstyle’ for men is a casual and relaxed look that involves styling the hair in a tousled, textured, and dishevelled manner.
This style is achieved by using a light hold product, such as a sea salt spray or a texturising spray, and using your fingers to create a natural, carefree look.
The length of the hair can vary from short to medium, depending on personal preference, and the sides and back can be trimmed or faded to a shorter length, creating a high-contrast look.
It is a favourite among men who want a relaxed and easy-going look. It’s also a great option for men with thicker hair, as it adds volume and texture.
Michael Fassbender is one celebrity who has previously been snapped on the red carpet with it.
Simple Undercut
Classic and versatile, the simple undercut is a popular men’s hairstyle that involves cutting the sides and back of the hair very short or buzzed, while leaving the top section longer.
The undercut is favoured by guys who want a modern, edgy look. In the past Zac Efron, Brad Pitt and Chris Hemsworth have all had them in various film roles.
French Crop
The French crop is a short and stylish men’s haircut that involves cutting the hair on top of the head to a medium length, usually around 2 to 3 inches, and tapering the sides and back of the hair to a shorter length, typically with clippers. This creates a highly contrasting look that is both modern and timeless.
The French crop features a forward fringe and is a low-maintenance, stylish and versatile hairstyle that can be dressed up or down, making it a great option for all occasions.
Zayn Malik and Cillian Murphy are among those who have opted for it in recent months.
Buzz Cut
At one time or another pretty much all men would have had a buzz cut.
This simple and low-maintenance hairstyle is where the hair is trimmed to a uniform length using clippers.
It typically involves trimming the hair to a length of 1/4 inch to 1 inch all over the head, although the length can be adjusted to suit personal preference.
The buzz cut is a popular choice for men who want a clean and practical hairstyle, and it is ideal for warm weather or for those who want a no-fuss look.
It’s also a great option for men with thinning hair as it gives the appearance of fuller hair.
The likes of Ewan McGregor, Jason Statham and Nick Jonas have all famously sported buzz cuts.
Short Crop Cut
The short crop cut is a type of hairstyle where the hair is trimmed short and styled in a way that
creates a textured, messy, and often spiky look.
The length of a short crop cut can vary from a few inches to an inch or so, depending on personal preference and hair type.
Zayn Malik has been known to rock this style on occasion.
Crew Cut
A crew cut is a classical type of hairstyle for men that accommodates a short and neat style on the top of the head with tapered back and sides.
To achieve this type of style you can use clippers to create a uniform length all over the head, typically with a length of 1/4 inch to 1 inch, and gradually tapering the hair down to the neck’s nape area.
The likes of Ryan Reynolds and Tom Hardy have been seen with them from time to time.
Outgrown Buzz Cut
An outgrown buzz cut is a hairstyle where the hair has grown past the typical length of a buzz cut.
It typically refers to hair that has grown longer than the standard 1/4-inch to 1-inch length of a buzz cut.
To maintain this style, you can either buzz the hair to the desired length or grow it into another hairstyle.
Adam Levine, Daniel Day-Lewis and Ryan Gosling are among those who have popularised this hairstyle.
Caesar cut
The Caesar cut is a short and classic men’s haircut with a uniform length all over the head, typically around 1 to 2 inches, and a straight fringe cut above the eyebrows. It is named after Julius Caesar, who is said to have worn his hair in this style.
The Caesar cut is achieved by using clippers to create a uniform length all over the head, and using scissors to create a straight fringe that is cut above the eyebrows.
This hairstyle is very low-maintenance and straightforward to style. It is also versatile and can be dressed up or down.
Justin Bieber, Jared Leto, Neil Patrick Harris and Eminem are some of the many celebrities to have worn it.
4 back and sides haircut
The 4 back and sides haircut refers to a hairstyle where the sides and back of the head are trimmed to a length of 4 inches or shorter, while the top of the head is left longer.
This hairstyle is a set-and-forget option for men who want to look cool. The 4 back and sides haircut is also sometimes referred to as a ‘Number 4 haircut’ or simply a ‘4’.
David Beckham and Brad Pitt are known to have adorned it.
High and Tight
The high and tight is a short and stylish men’s haircut that features a close cut on the sides and back, typically with clippers, and a longer length on top, usually around 1 to 2 inches.
Creating a strong and defined look, this hairstyle is achieved by using clippers to cut the sides and back of the hair very short, usually to a #1 or #2 guard length, and leaving the hair on top longer.
Another versatile hairstyle that can be dressed up or down, it is a very good option for all occasions. Ryan Reynolds, Conor McGregor, and Brad Pitt have all made it popular for fashion-forward guys over the last few years.
Ivy League
The Ivy League haircut is named after the prestigious Ivy League universities in the northeastern United States, where it was popular among students in the 1950s and 1960s.
It is achieved by using clippers to cut the sides and back of the hair to a shorter length, usually to a #2 or #3 guard length, and leaving the hair on top longer.
The Ivy League haircut is a popular choice for men who want a professional image. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling and Zac Efron have all previously adopted it over the years.