Here’s a timeless men’s short haircut that will never fall out of fashion. If you’re searching for images of contemporary ways to style the crew cut, you’ve arrived at the perfect spot.
What is a Crew Cut?
A crew cut is a style of men’s haircut that showcases short hair on top with graduated lengths on the sides and back. It derives its name from crew teams at American Ivy League schools as a method for men to keep their hair trimmed and away from their eyes while rowing. This haircut gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly at institutions like Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Cornell.
Initially, it was more commonly known as the short pompadour. It’s also occasionally termed a butch cut, but the distinction between the two is that a butch or a men’s buzz cut is quite short and uniform in length on top. The sides and back are evenly cut or shorter, usually faded using taper fade or shorter faded clippers anywhere from a skin fade to clipper sizes ranging from 1 to 4, depending on the desired appearance.
How to Style a Crew Cut
It’s typical to brush the crew cut hair on top forward, while the bangs may be styled straight up, back, or parted to the side, depending on the length of the top. Based on the length of your hair on top, you might not need to style it at all. The longer the hair on top, the more you’ll want to give your haircut some style. If you’re aiming for a brushed-up, short pomp look, consider using a product like wax or pomade. For a fresher appearance, comb and blow-dry your hair to encourage it to stand up and to the side.
Tips for Crew Cuts
Tapering the neckline can provide an even cleaner and more modern vibe. For an extra polished look, maintain a clean-shaven face and short sideburns. For a more relaxed crew cut style, opt for a longer length on top and keep it a bit tousled. A short haircut like this is simpler to style but necessitates more regular trims to keep the look intact.
Talking to Your Barber/Stylist
Here’s how to request a crew cut:
– Inquire about a short, medium, or long crew cut.
– Indicate whether you’re open to styling it, as this will influence the length of the top.
– Specify your preferred fade type. This can range from a straightforward taper fade with scissors to a skin fade with clippers.
Who Pulls off The Crew Cut Best?
Crew cuts are elegant hairstyles for men and a fantastic choice regardless of age, particularly for professionals or individuals with a more active lifestyle who wish to avoid hair in their way. This haircut also pairs well with sideburns and both short and long beards.
This crew hairstyle is particularly suitable for men with thicker hair. Men with finer hair can also wear it successfully at the right length. It can be a good option if you have a receding hairline or desire a more mature appearance. Consult with your barber to get their advice. The beauty of the crew cut is that it complements most head and face shapes, which is one reason for its enduring popularity.
The Most Popular Crew Cut Hairstyles:
The Timeless Crew Cut Paired with a Beard
Polished and refined, this timeless crew cut features a skin-tight fade that leads to a voluminous, textured top—a versatile style that pairs effortlessly with a full beard for contemporary elegance. Perfect for thick hair, it keeps a tidy silhouette with minimal styling effort. An excellent option for gentlemen averse to the maintenance of longer boys haircuts, this look guarantees you appear sharp with just a quick run of pomade through your tresses.
Textured Crew Cut with Fade Sides
Are you feeling uninspired by the classic side-parted hairstyle you’ve had for the past few years? If that’s the case, consider this textured crew cut with fade sides. It’s polished, masculine, and rejuvenating without hair around your ears. I suggest using a pomade for styling and scheduling an appointment with your barber every four weeks for upkeep.
Crew Cut with a Bold Blowout
Ideal for enhancing volume in finer hair, this upward style radiates a youthful vibe. For maintenance, a swift tousle using a blow-dryer along with some texturizing product works wonders. Just a note, it will need regular attention to keep those sides looking sharp!
Stylish Side Part Crew Cut Featuring a Hard Part
A stylish side part crew cut with a hard part is simple yet impactful. It’s complemented by faded sides and does a great job of drawing attention to your top hair. A side-parted crew cut like this always makes you look fantastic.
Stylish Thick Crew Cut with Tapered Edges
Are you a fashion-forward individual looking to synchronize your hairstyle with your overall appearance? With this stylish thick crew cut featuring tapered edges, your hair can seamlessly accentuate your personal style. When visiting your local barber, ask for a zero-drop fade on the sides and a buzz with a lineup on top. Style with matte clay to showcase your new, bold haircut.
The Stylish Long Crew Cut
This is a stylish and long crew cut with spikes and a surgical line. It’s easy to style and maintains a fresh appearance. Crew cuts are ideal for men who favor shorter hairstyles. It works well with all hair types. Use a high-quality matte pomade like Byrd Matte or Reuzel Clay for styling.
Striking Curly Crew Cut
A curly crew cut is ideal for men who wish to accentuate their vibrant curls. It’s short around the ears and faded into a heavy disconnected top. Daily styling is needed with this cut. A good quality sea salt spray scrunched into your tresses will enhance the intricacy of the curls.
Elevated Style with a Number One Fade
Prefer a shorter look but find skin fades too extreme? This elevated style with a number one fade strikes the right balance, providing a look that minimizes skin exposure. It’s ideal for keeping coarse hair textures tidy and manageable. Apply some gel on top for added hold!
Stylish Short Disconnected Crew Cut with Texture
Thanks to Instagram, this stylish short disconnected cut has become widely popular online. You will always look fantastic with a zero fade on the sides. And you can style the top of this haircut pushed forward or up, based on your vibe!
Casual Crew Cut
The casual crew cut is ideal for men with long, straight hair seeking a quick and effortless haircut to style and maintain. The haircut is short and faded closely around the ears, while a lot of texture has been added to the top to achieve a messy, lived-in appearance. In styling this haircut, use a styling powder and a sea salt spray to boost the shape of your cut and prolong your style.
Stylish Crew Cut with a Subtle Low Fade
Enhancements are favored by clients and barbers alike to complete the look. This is worth considering if you have fine hair or a thinning hairline. This crew cut with a subtle low fade has been executed flawlessly to accentuate the areas for a fuller appearance. Unfortunately, it’s only temporary, and regular trips to the barbershop will be necessary to maintain its freshness.
Stylish Textured Crew Cut with Mid Fade
This stylish crew cut with a mid-fade is classic and lively at the same time. There’s plenty of texture in the evenly chopped layers on the top. The uniform layers were cut short, providing the top some movement and volume that is very easy to manage.
The Ivy League Hairstyle
Embrace a sophisticated vibe with this Ivy League crew cut, a refined mix of classic and contemporary styles. This cut’s longer top tapers into sleek, skin-faded sides, similar to an undercut, but with a polished, more discreet transition. For those with thick hair, this style offers a professional appeal with a touch of fun. The sculpted top with a precise fade provides a sharp, defined appearance that’s adaptable for both work and weekend styles. Upkeep is simple, but periodic touch-ups are necessary to keep it looking fresh.
Textured Crew Cut Featuring a Shaved Line
There are countless styles available when considering short hairstyles for men. However, if you’re up for something adventurous, take a look at this textured crew cut with a shaved line. Ensure you grow the top a little before your barber visit, and request a zero fade on the sides with a line. Incorporate some matte clay for added texture and complete your look with hairspray for lasting hold! I suggest Paul Mitchell’s Freeze and Shine Super Spray as your finishing product.
Stylish High Skin Fade on a Crew Cut
This stylish high skin fade on a crew cut is trendy, suitable for the office, and complements every guy. Next time you visit your barber, ask for a zero fade on the back and the sides with a crew cut on top. Or better yet, show them this photo!
Classic Crew Cut with Defined Lines
This classic crew cut showcases a blend of styles. The short, sharp skin fade paired with defined lines imparts an edgy vibe while maintaining a polished appearance. It carries a hint of greaser charm alongside a traditional military influence. When considering this timeless crew cut, remember to factor in maintenance. Schedule a visit to your barber every 3 weeks and an additional appointment for a neck trim cleanup.
Stylish Crew Cut for Fine Hair
A stylish crew cut is perfect for fine textured hair. The shorter sides will highlight your hair on top, giving it a more voluminous appearance.
Mid Drop Fade with Crew Cut Style
Looking for a stylish haircut for a formal occasion? Request this mid-drop fade combined with a crew cut to elevate your night. A zero fade on the sides paired with a scissor cut on top is a timeless choice. It’s effortlessly styled using a pomade like Suavecito’s Original Hold Pomade for that sophisticated appearance.
Dapper Combover With Slightly Extended Length in the Front
Short and tidy is a common request, and this dapper comb-over features a slight extension in the front. Considerable length and weight remain in the fringe to shape the style, while the back has been trimmed shorter. This technique is often employed for clients with a challenging crown area. You get the best of both worlds with this style, as it’s simple to manage, and you can showcase a stylish look.
Styled Up with Mid Bald Fade
A styled-up crew cut with a mid-bald fade is an ultra-modern and fashionable look that works best on guys with thick hair. It’s a fantastic way to add texture and volume while maintaining a tidy appearance. For styling, work some lightweight pomade through the top of your hair. It will provide you with added definition. This will also assist you in avoiding a greasy or heavy feel throughout the day.
Low-Maintenance Crew Cut
Some men prefer a low-maintenance crew cut that requires minimal upkeep. It’s faded to the skin around the ears and blended into the short top. Remember to be specific to your barber on how much you want off the top, and remember the grade last used. This crew cut has been left long enough to style, so I suggest using a good styling powder for a natural finish.
Swept Hairstyle Featuring Shorter Sides and Bald Fade for Dense Hair
This polished style is ideal for dense hair with natural texture or curl. It can be arranged in various ways based on your liking. To achieve this appearance, ask your barber to cut the sides of your hair close to your scalp. Retain some length on top so it can be styled according to your wishes. Choose a bald fade around the sides and back of your head for enhanced definition. The fade should transition smoothly into the neckline. Complete the look by applying a matte wax like Suavecito Matte Pomade. It’s helpful to sweep back any flyaways or enhance texture as necessary. The outcome is lustrous and styled with hold.
Textured Grey Top with Short Sides
If your salt and pepper hair has become challenging and untamed, why not welcome the transformation? Opt for this textured grey top with short sides. With a fade on the sides, this will help reduce most of the upkeep of your daily styling. The best part about crew cut upkeep is that you’ll only need to invest a little time revisiting the barbershop!
Stylish Very Short Slicked Crew Cut
This stylish short-slicked crew cut is perfect for a guy who wants to maintain a polished image. Let me explain! By asking your barber for a taper fade on the sides and a crew cut, you can easily jump out of the shower, apply some gel, and go! Looking closer, you’ll see that the fringe of this haircut softly covers the forehead. The zero fade allows you to have a polished feel while providing longevity to this style.
Textured and Softened Short Ivy League
This textured and softened short Ivy League cut is neat and fashionable and will never fade from trend. You’ll observe that the fade on the sides is a gentle gradient from the skin to a 2. It showcases a texturized haircut on top to keep a relaxed vibe.
Classic Side Part with a Zero Fade
Possibly one of the most iconic haircuts of all time – you don’t want to miss this side-parted hairstyle with a zero fade. Not only is this look timeless, but it’s also exceptionally simple to style and maintain. A fade on the side guarantees longevity and cleanliness of the haircut. All while the disconnected top facilitates easy styling.
Textured Crew Cut for Thick Hair
If you’re ready to shed some hair, consider this textured crew cut for thick hair. When discussing your haircut with your stylist, be sure to ask them to incorporate plenty of texture. This approach not only eliminates excess hair but also enhances the volume of your thick locks. I suggest using a matte pomade applied from roots to ends on either towel-dried or blow-dried hair.
Classic Pompadour Crew Cut for Mature Men
Looking to maintain a sense of age appropriateness while staying trendy? If this resonates with you, consider asking your barber for this classic pompadour crew cut for men. The overall silhouette of this haircut exudes youthfulness. However, it avoids the more extreme fades found in some contemporary styles. This results in a timeless and polished appearance without being excessively flashy. Use a styling cream to achieve a relaxed finish on the top of your hair.
The Sharp Military Crew Cut Fade
Embrace the precise, structured look with this military crew cut. The tidy and uniform top, paired with a clean fade, offers a striking yet low-maintenance style ideal for those who enjoy a streamlined routine. This cut is suitable for most hair types and highlights the jawline and cheekbones for a commanding, masculine profile. It’s a top pick for men who appreciate a polished and professional demeanor with an air of authority.
Stylish Taper Fade Crew Cut with Mid Fade
Achieve a polished and refined appearance with this taper fade crew cut that flows into a subtle pompadour style on top. Perfect for the gentleman with straight, thick hair seeking a sharp yet easy-to-manage look. The mid fade provides a sleek touch that complements the voluminous top, ideal for those who enjoy blending timeless and modern aesthetics. To keep it fresh, a quick application of pomade will ensure you remain stylish throughout the day.
Textured Quiff with Fade and Defined Lines
This timeless style is ideal for men with medium-length hair. However, it can be adjusted for those with longer or shorter hair as well. An angular face shape is particularly well-suited to this hairstyle. The juxtaposition of the gentle quiff and the precise lines of the fade creates a striking appearance. Apply a lightweight styling cream to achieve all-day hold while preserving texture. Consider using Hanz de Fuko’s Quicksand prior to blow-drying your hair into shape. For extra definition, finish up with a matte clay product.
Casual Side-Swept Crew Cut
Another fade cut is this casual side-swept crew haircut, featuring a more relaxed style with a natural appearance for the top section and medium to short hair to complement it. This look is ideal for men with straight hair and offers one of the most harmonious haircuts for guys.
Stylish Blonde Crew Cut with Tapered Sides
Into classic, timeless hairstyles for men? Check out this stylish blonde crew cut with tapered sides. Ask your barber to trim the hair around your cowlicks while keeping the front a bit longer for added dimension and shape. You might want to snap a selfie for Instagram after achieving such a smart look!
Stylish Silver Crew Cut Featuring Bangs
Color trends are currently favored by men. This stylish silver crew cut with bangs can be an excellent option for you. As with all shades, it’s important to consider your complexion while choosing your style. Since silver is quite light, it’s advisable to have some color on your face to avoid a washed-out appearance. A lighter hair hue can accentuate a pale complexion. I suggest silver for men who possess a glow or Mediterranean skin tone.
Faux Hawk Crew Hairstyle
Sometimes it’s tough to step away from the standard clean crew cut, so consider this faux hawk crew hairstyle as your next look. Upon visiting your barber, ask for a zero fade on the sides. Request a recommendation for the appropriate length on top based on the dimensions of your head and face shape. Finish with matte wax for a dry, textured look or a pomade for enhanced shine and moisture.
Simplified Crew Cut with a Surgical Line
Like the famous Japanese paintings of waves, this short crew cut with a surgical line maintains a neat and tidy appearance. This then draws focus to the front side, where a flow of hair sweeps across.
Effortless Crew Cut Style
This effortless crew cut is ideal for men seeking a hairstyle that demands minimal upkeep. It suits various hair textures and has been expertly tailored to follow the contours of the head, faded closely to the skin, and blended into a slightly longer top.
Contemporary Tapered Crew Cut with Fade
This is a tapered crew cut fade. It’s short on the sides so that the cut could show off the facial features. There’s enough length on top to achieve various styles, too. When you have a lot of length and texture up top, depending on how you cut it, it can give you that messy sort of “model” look that you see in the magazines, or you can sleek it down more to be more conservative. If you’re getting this cut, use products such as 18.21 paste. If you don’t, you won’t get the look that you’re after. It takes at most 2 minutes to apply the product.
Adorable Crew Cut for Young Boys
Most parents are fond of a crew cut for young boys for its practicality and formality. It’s short on the sides while leaving some length at the top to allow a wide array of styles. Adding a strong pomade keeps the style longer.
Contemporary Crew Cut Styles
When it comes to contemporary crew cuts, this is it! Short haircuts like this are perfect for college guys who want that clean, sharp look.
Trendy Crew Cut with a High Fade
With the richness of the afro Caribbean hair type, crew cuts with high fades are an excellent choice. This style features a fade that goes down to the skin around the back and sides and at the midpoint of the skull, starting near the temples. The top is clippered short and then brushed forward to create a crisp hairline. A fashionable cut and style for many, regular maintenance is essential to keep it looking sharp.
Caesar-Style Crew Cut with a Faded Beard
If you’re looking to experiment with a men’s bald fade while maintaining a beard, consult your barber about how to fade your beard as well. This will establish a clean connection between your hairstyle and your beard. Combine this with a crew cut on top for an even sharper appearance. You may be able to replicate this exact look at home with the right products. Seek recommendations from your barber or stylist.
The Contemporary Crew Cut with High Fade
Polish your appearance to achieve that professional vibe with a contemporary crew cut featuring a high fade! It meets the standards of being both sleek and fashionable.
The Modern French Crop Crew Cut
The modern French crop crew cut is gaining popularity. The textured top, paired with the sleek, forward-facing bangs, provides a polished and low-maintenance hairstyle.
Crew Cut Styles for Thinning Hair
A crew cut for thinning hair creates an illusion of fuller locks. A skin fade at the sides and back is coupled with a lengthier top to compliment the shape of your face and head.
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