31 Men's Haircuts That Are Longer On the Top and Shorter On the Sides (2024)

•Wayne Wildrick is a stylist and barber at Scruff's Barbershop in Austin, Texas.

•Giovanni Vaccaro is the artistic director for hair at Glamsquad, an in-home hair, makeup, nail service based in New York.

Spiked Top

This is a good example of how the long on top/short on the sides cut can be worn for versatility. In this shot, Liam Hemsworth's longer hair is styled in a loose, spiky style.

Modern Fade

Singer Khalid's modern curly fade brings out his texture. The result (balanced with a slightly grown-out beard) is the perfect natural look. Be sure to invest in ahydrating conditionerto ensure the hair on top stays moisturized.

Undercut With Fade

Arguably the most high-maintenance look on the list, the undercut requires much longer hair on top, with hair shorn down (in some cases, faded) on the sides. Just how short you go on the sides is best determined by natural bone structure. "Some clients may have bone protrusions on the sides and the back of the head," says Wildrick. "Generally, we don't expose them, so this is where your barber would decide where the fade placement should be to compensate for those irregularities that we all have as humans."

Short Afro

Embrace your natural texture and let the side grow out instead of getting them tapered regularly.

Swept-Back

Bradley Cooper's elegant, swept-back style is one of the most-requested among Vaccaro's clients. "This style is probably the most popular, and my clients always bring in a photo of Bradley Cooper for this one," he says. "It looks good on most men and most textures." To replicate the look, he recommends "keeping the sides wispy but not super tight." In other words, "no barber fades here."

High and Tight

Faded sides with just a bit of length on top equates to a low-maintenance and still plenty of sophisticated style. Will Smith's version is accompanied by a well-groomed goatee, to balance the look.

Wavy Pompadour

For this shot, soccer star Radamel Falcao's hair is styled up and back to create a pompadour effect. The hair on top is worn a bit loose with separation for a more casual look.

Disconnected Sides

This is considered a classic men’s cut; short on the sides and back and left long and thick on top. The soft scissor cut blends the shorter sides to create a smooth transition with the length on top. The hair may be styled back for a sleek, formal look.

Short Sides With Locs

Soccer star Gabriel Barbosa's hair is kept short on the sides—but his long, blondelocsoffer plenty of interest. The key here is to keep hair on the sides faded. So. The look accentuates his locs.

Texturized Top

This is a versatile style, which can be worn messy with a bit of styling paste.

High Skin Fade

Highlight your coils with a high skin fade on the sides. If this is too much, opt for a low skin fade, which leaves a bit more hair on the sides, but it's still faded enough to create a stylish profile.

Wavy Quiff

Give wavy hair an ultra-tousled look by growing out the top section of your hair and using a curl-enhancing product, such as a mousse. It'll help maintain the integrity of your natural wave while reducing unwanted frizz.

Short and Rounded

Comedian Kevin Hart's short cut is rounded, allowing his hairline to take center stage. A slight taper on the sides lends trendiness and a longer goatee adds extra style.

Short, Lean Sides

For this style, as seen on Chris Hemsworth, the hair is cut aggressively short on the sides and back and left long on top. The top and front are cut with a razor to create movement, texture, and separation.

Casual Separation

For this long-on-top style, Zac Efron's hair is razor-cut on top and in the front to add movement, texture, and separation. A bit of styling paste enhances the suave style.

Braids

Copy Travis Scott's braids for a high-contrast, high-impact look. The rapper typically dons about 10 braids that stem from the top of his head while leaving the rest of the hair buzzed close to the scalp.

Shattered Bangs

For this style, the hair is cut short on the sides and back while a razor is used in front to give the bangs a deconstructed look.

Afro Fade

Usher's style combines an afro fade and a mohawk with hair kept extremely cropped on the sides, and higher through the middle. To replicate this look, you'll want to get a trim every four to six weeks, and invest in plenty of hydrating hair products, to keep the longer hairs moisturized. And if you're wondering if a look like this would work for you, do your research. "If you are considering a fade, look up inspiration photos of people who have hair similar to your type and color," says Wildrick. "In my experience, I have generally found that clients with dark and thicker hair can get away with low to high fades whereas clients with light and less dense hair look more suitable with a low fade."

Sleek Bangs

For this style, actor Cillian Murphy's hair is cut close on the sides and back and worn parted neatly in the center. Pomade will help to add shine and control.

Disconnected Bangs

Actor and model Lucas Till is often seen wearing his hair short on the sides and back, with exaggerated length on top. For this style, the front is disconnected from the sides, and the hair is worn brushed forward and to the side.

Locs

The Weeknd's locs mohawk features tightly trimmed sides that match the length of his facial hair.

Wavy Top

For this style, actor Kit Harington's natural wave is combed back, but for a more natural look, the hair can be allowed to fall on its own, without the use of any products.

Line Up

Actor Michael B. Jordan combines a lineup—where the natural hairline is straightened in the shape of a line—with a mid-fade. This style of fade lands below the temples and just above the ear. As Wildrick explains, how short you go with a fade depends on how often you plan to maintain it. "Suitability is always the word," he says. "The best way to maintain a fade (or any look) is to find one conducive to your lifestyle."

Slicked-Back With Side Part

Here, Joe Alwyn's cut is short on the sides, longer up top, parted, and slicked back with a paste.

Full Top

Miguel's thick hair is cut in long layers. The style can be worn loose or styled neatly with products for a more formal look.

Short Sides with Bangs

For more of a boyish look, copy Paul Mescal's signature bangs with short sides.

High Fade With Buzzed Sides

As seen on professional basketball player Steph Curry, a buzz cut keeps hair tight up top, and a high fade raises the hairline. The resulting look is masculine with a bit of an edge.

Perfectly Disheveled

Robert Pattinson effortlessly pulls off this perfectly tousled hairstyle. In fact, he’s known for it. You can mimic his disheveled 'do by rubbing some mouse through your hair for volume. Add in a bit of hair paste or hairspray for a little more height on top. The key is you don’t want it to look over-styled.

High Top Fade

Odell Beckham Jr.'s high top fade is similar to Steph Curry's, however he keeps the top longer. He also bleaches the ends to give it a bit more drama. Work in a light hold styling balm to provide moisture and a natural finish.

Messy Textured Top

Pete Davidson's hair matches his personality—cool, quirky and approachable. To copy his look, use a light hand with hair products for his no-fuss style. Work in some hair paste or hairspray for more volume on top, but keep it slightly messy. (Hair bleach and sunglasses are recommended, but optional.)

Sky-High Pompadour

Give the top of your hair some major volume with a retro-inspired pompadour à la Bruno Mars.