55 Best Men’s Short Haircuts & Hairstyles in 2021

 

While often selected for its practicality and smart appearance, short hair needn’t be the safe choice. In fact, a cropped cut makes an excellent option for fashion-forward gents who want to stand out while looking sleek. From sharp crew cuts to cool quiffs, today there is an abundance of on-trend and bold new looks. But, with so many choices, deciding which short-haired style to try can be challenging. Thankfully, we can help make your decision much easier with a selection of inspiring cropped cuts. Here is our roundup of the best men’s short hairstyles and haircuts to try right now.

 

1. Comb Over

The comb over hairstyle can have a very masculine appearance and can suit different textures and lengths. It is brushed to one side, hence the name, creating volume at the top of the head and appearing fuller. It can be paired with several other styles, such as a fade for a more modern approach.

 

 

2. Quiff

The quiff has some length on the back and sides, but most of the volume is in the forelock and is often more casual and textured in appearance than the pompadour; although the two looks share many similarities. It is a timeless and classic style that has been popular since the 50s and can be easily adapted for a more modern appearance.

 

 

3. Buzz Cut

The buzz cut is clipped close to the head and requires very little maintenance making it an appealing option for a man who wants a short hairstyle without much upkeep. It can also be paired with line-ups or hair designs for a more tailored look. When getting a buzz cut, the important thing is to consider the proportions of your face; oval and rectangular shapes work best.

 

 

4. High and Tight

The high and tight is a very short hairstyle with the back and sides shaved to the skin and the top kept slightly longer. It is commonly worn by men in the armed forces and is low-maintenance, masculine, and clean in appearance.

 

 

5. Caesar Cut

A Caesar cut is a classic and timeless choice for men who favor short hair. It is a hairstyle that is even at the top, back and sides, and has straight-cut bangs. They can suit texture, including curly hair, or be created with straight locks.

 

 

6. Hard Part

The hair part is a shaved part that features a clean line created with a razor or trimmer. It is shaved down to the scalp and often to one side. They are versatile and can be paired with various hairstyles, creating a sharp and polished appearance.

 

 

7. Short Afro

There are many ways to style an Afro hairstyle, but opting to keep it short makes it easy to maintain, limiting the volume and texture. The result is an effortlessly cool look.

 

 

8. Side Part

The side part is a classic and versatile men’s hairstyle that can be created with various hair types and lengths and lends itself well to different cuts. It is achieved by making a side part and combing the hair over onto one side. The parting can complement your face shape and bone structure.

 

 

9. French Crop

The French crop is low-maintenance and features short hair at the back and sides with a slight fringe. The length between all three should be very similar, creating a subtle yet dapper appearance that can be styled in several ways. It can be worn by various hair textures and types, including curly and wavy hair.

 

 

10. Buzz Cut with Line Up

The buzz cut is a simple and popular short haircut for men because it is low-maintenance and versatile. Line ups work well with the look because they can create a sharpness and add more personality — a line-up cuts along the natural hairline.

 

 

11. Crew Cut

The crew cut hairstyle is short and simple, with hair longest at the front hairline. It is a timeless choice because of how neat and effortless to style it is, making it perfect for a corporate environment.

 

 

12. Faux Hawk

Not to be confused with the mohawk, the faux hawk is often much shorter in length and has less contrast. The sides are not shaved but clipped slightly shorter than the top, which features a strip of hair. This makes it an easier to wear and less daring option than the mohawk.

 

 

13. Ivy League Haircut

The appeal of the Ivy League haircut is it is very similar to the crew cut and features hair with slight volume at the top and shorter on the sides. It has a very smart and polished appearance, often suiting a preppy aesthetic, and can be easily adapted to cater to your personal preference.

 

 

14. Short Wavy Hair

Short hair can make the hair appear thicker and fuller, and for naturally wavy hair, it makes it easier to style. Keep the length at the top and the sides and back short if you want to highlight your texture yet still enjoy a carefree and relaxed appearance.

 

 

15. Burst Fade

The burst fade is defined by hair that tapers around the ear and the back of the head, creating a rounded and almost semi-circular appearance. The style is versatile and can be worn with various lengths, styles, and textures, adding a cool and edgy element to your haircut.

 

 

16. Edgar Haircut

An Edgar haircut has a cropped, straight cut that goes around the head and is contrasted at the sides with a high fade. This creates an edgy appearance and can make you appear younger. It suits men with long, oval, and angular faces and can be created with various hair textures and types.

 

 

17. Short Messy Hair

The appeal of short messy hair is that it gives an effortlessly cool appearance as if you’ve just rolled out of bed. This look works best with naturally textured hair, and keeping it a shorter length makes it more manageable.

 

 

18. Hard Part with High Fade

A high fade begins and ends high up on both the back and sides of the head and creates a sharp and clean appearance. It can be paired with several different styles, including a hard part, for a masculine and polished appearance perfect for a professional or a gentleman.

 

 

19. Messy French Crop

The French crop is short all around the head, with more length at the front to form a fringe. It is a versatile cut that can work with different hair types, and if you have naturally textured hair, an appealing option would be to wear the look messy and tousled. This is fantastic for someone who wants some volume and to create a more youthful and laidback appearance.

 

 

20. Military Haircut

There are many variations of the military haircut, but it can generally be defined by being short, often no longer than an inch, and having a clean appearance. The hair can be kept longer at the top of the head, with shorter or shaved sides, creating an interesting contrast and making for an incredibly low-maintenance look that requires no styling time.

 

 

21. Afro with Drop Fade

An afro and a drop fade pair well together and can create a textured yet sophisticated appearance. The style drops low and behind the area creating an arc-shaped appearance. This fade gives the face an outline and draws attention to the hair on the crown, which you can keep long or short.

 

 

22. Short Back and Sides

Short back and sides is a look that has distinctly longer hair on the top, with the back and sides kept short and neat. It has been popular for decades and works with various hair textures and types.

 

 

23. Fringe with Taper Fade

A fringe taper fade is a combination that highlights the fringe and the top of your hair and can help to balance the features. The taper gradually cuts the side and the back of the hair short, leaving the top longer; the result is an effortless and cool look.

 

 

24. Hard Part with Quiff

The hard part features a shaved parting that is sharp and clean and traditionally worn to one side. It can be paired with many hairstyles, including the quiff, which has remained a timeless classic style for men of all ages. The quiff creates dimension on the top of your head, while the rest of the hair is kept short.

 

 

25. Mid Fade with Pompadour

The pompadour is simple but voluminous at the top, creating a sleek appearance that works especially well when paired with a mid fade. The combination adds structure and sharpness because of the blending between longer hair at the top and shorter sides.

 

 

26. Natural Short Textured Hair

Keeping your naturally textured hair short can be a way to reduce styling time and can also make your hair appear thicker and fuller.

 

 

27. Short Curly Fringe with Fade

Men who have curly hair can highlight their texture with a short curly fringe paired with a fade. The natural curls look sexy and become the focus of the look, while the fade makes it sharper and more presentable while also creating a contrast.

 

 

28. Bald Fade with Short Mohawk

The bald fade style keeps the hair longer at the top of the head, and the sides and back are shaved off. It is incredibly versatile and can be paired with many different looks, including a short mohawk. The combination makes the mohawk look even more pronounced and creates a rebellious and edgy appearance.

 

 

29. Bowl Cut

The bowl cut looks like someone has taken a bowl and cut it around the head, creating a very rounded appearance. The classic approach falls mid-forehead and features a straight fringe, and the rest of the hair is the same length all around. There are variations to this look, and you can adapt it to suit more textured hair and experiment with fades.

 

 

30. Buzz Cut with Hair Design

The buzz cut is a classic short hair choice for men, clipped very close to the head. It can be paired with several options, including hair design, to create a more customized appearance. Hair design can be simple or detailed and is a way to show off your personality.

 

 

31. Short Back and Sides with Comb Over

A comb over is defined by a side part with hair combed over the side of the hair. It can be paired with several options, including short back and sides. As the name suggests, this hairstyle is defined by being distinctly shorter at the sides with length at the top. Be mindful of your face shape to pick a look that suits you best.

 

 

32. Low Fade with Faux Hawk

The faux hawk lets you enjoy all the benefits of a mohawk without it being dramatic or difficult to wear. It can be paired with a low fade for a more blended appearance; this fade tapers down the sides and lower on the head. The result is versatile and creates interesting proportions.

 

 

33. Short Spiky Hair

Short spiky hair has a distinctively 90s vibe and is often styled with the top kept longer and the sides and back short. Although it is easier to create with naturally textured hair, this look works on most hair types, provided the hair is not too long.

 

 

34. Pompadour with Short Back and Sides

The pompadour haircut is defined by the volume on the top, especially at the front of the head, and can be swept back. The sides and back are often kept short or slicked back. This creates a contrast and gives your look volume.

 

 

35. Short Curtains

The curtain haircut has a long fringe and is typically divided by a middle parting, although the modern interpretation of this look can also include side partings. The back and sides are kept short. The cut works with various hair textures and lengths and can be combined with fades or undercuts.

 

 

36. Short Natural Curls

Natural curly hair is fantastic because there are many ways to style it, including keeping it short. This can make it appear fuller and thicker while also reducing style and maintenance time. It is important to find the right cut to compliment the texture of your locks and highlight your features.

 

 

37. Short Textured Hair

Keeping your textured hair short can make it appear masculine and sexy. It also makes any short hairstyle more interesting and modern and requires little styling.

 

 

38. Faux with Fringe Cut And Fade

There are many variations of the faux hawk, including the adaptation to a fringe and fade. The hair at the top of the head transforms into a fringe which is typically spiked forward using wax. The tapered sides create contrast and enhance the volume at the crown.

 

 

39. Afro with Bald Fade

Afro hair can look neat and stylish when paired with a bald fade. The combination of the fade creates an interesting contrast and highlights the curls at the top of your head. This gives you a choice to keep your hairstyle on top long or short.

 

 

40. Slick Back with Bald Fade

The slick back and bald fade hairstyle are about contrast while still creating a presentable and polished appearance. The bald fade is masculine and smart, with hair transitioning from longer at the top of the head to tapering to expose the skin. It helps achieve even more volume and texture on top.

 

 

41. Drop Fade with Slick Back

The drop fade and slick back are a combination that works well together. The slick back has been a favorite for men’s short hairstyles since the 50s and features the hair combed back around the sides and parted. The addition of a drop fade, which drops low and behind the ear creating an arc-shaped appearance, makes the style look more relaxed and modern.

 

 

42. Slick Back with Taper Fade

The slick back hairstyle pairs well with a taper fade, which adds a modern twist to it. The cut is kept longer on top, while the taper fade gradually becomes shorter on the back and sides of the head. This creates a polished finish.

 

 

43. Waves

The waves hairstyle gets its name because of the pattern and texture used to create it. The ripple appearance is created by combing and flattening the curls and makes it eye-catching and fun. In addition, the look is also versatile and can be tailored to your preference with a fade or lineup.

 

 

44. Butch Cut

The butch cut is a style that has a very masculine appearance. It is kept short, about a ¼ inch in length, all the way around the head with the back and sides cut the same length. The cut follows the contour of the head. Some men opt to tailor their look to their personal preference with a taper fade.

 

 

45. Bowl Cut with Side-Swept Bangs

For a more contemporary take on the classic bowl cut, try partnering it with side-swept bangs. The combination also tends to be more flattering than the traditional look, which features a horizontal fringe.

 

 

46. Buzz Cut with Line Up 

The buzz cut is a simple and masculine look for men who prefer short hair. It is traditionally clipped very close to the head with a razor and is great for highlighting your facial features. The style can be adapted to different hair textures. That said, one of the best ways to wear this cut is with a line-up. This adds more personality to the look as the eye is drawn to the straight lines or sharp angles that it creates. The result is a minimalist cut with an edgy addition.

 

 

47. Clean Shave 

If you prefer a fuss-free approach to your hair and want something without any style time, then consider the clean shave. Men with shaved heads are often seen as stronger, more powerful, and confident. While you may need to make regular trips to the barber to keep your desired length, you will cut down on money for grooming products and have a fresh and cool appearance.

 

 

48. High and Tight 

The high and tight is another short haircut that is considered masculine. Inspired by the military, it is a simple cut with faded or shaved sides and a slightly longer back and top. The hair is still kept short and has a very professional yet rugged appearance. This makes it a popular choice for men because it is a minimalistic and fuss-free option. It can also be adapted to suit multiple hair textures and types. There are a few modern twists, including creating it with longer hair or a pompadour.

 

 

49. Scissor Cut Hair 

As the name suggests, a scissor-cut hairstyle is created using scissors instead of clippers. The cut is also often used to describe a more natural style because of its appearance. It has a slightly more relaxed look than a clipper cut but is also simple and cool. It looks best when the back and sides are cut slightly shorter than the top, allowing you to highlight your texture.

 

 

50. Short Fringe

Fringes can transform your face and highlight your features, but the beauty of this cut is its versatility. There are many ways to wear a fringe, from long bangs to short ones, and they can be adapted to suit various hair textures and lengths. A short fringe is one of the most wearable options because you still get the cool factor of the fringe, but it is not going to be in your eyes. It is a stylish and low-maintenance option, perfect for a gent who wants a modern twist to his standard haircut.

 

 

51. Side Part With Quiff

The side part is versatile and timeless and can be styled in a variety of ways. It can suit most hair textures and lengths and can create a smart and stylish appearance. You can opt for a side part with a quiff if you like looks with volume and want to keep some length on the top. A quiff is brushed upwards and backward and can be done on long or short hair, depending on how dramatic you want it to be. When paired with a side part, it creates a more professional appearance but is still trendy.

 

 

52. Side Parted Short Wavy Hair 

The side part is one of the most versatile and stylish options for men who want a professional and cool appearance. The fantastic thing about this style is that it can be created on various hair textures and lengths. If you opt to keep it short, this is definitely one of the most wearable and low-maintenance options. Another appeal to side-parted short wavy hair is that the parting is less noticeable with short locks, which produces an even more flattering look that is great for every day.

 

 

53. Taper Fade with Slick Back 

The taper fade with a slick back is the perfect balance between edgy and sophisticated. The fantastic thing about the slick back is that it can be done with various hair types and lengths. Although classic styling has its appeal, pairing it with a taper fade will add a modern twist to the slick back hairstyle, which is smart and polished. The taper fade gradually cuts the sides and back of the hair short while leaving length on top. You can choose to style the top with wet gel or pomade for hold and create a shiny and sleek finish.

 

 

54. Wet Hairstyle 

The wet hairstyle is excellent for men who want a look that is stylish and sleek. It has long been a favorite of celebrities and style icons and can be worn in various ways, including slicked back or a comb over. It can also be tried by men of different hair textures, types, and lengths. All you need to achieve this look is a suitable gel, pomade, wax, or mousse; this will depend on your hair thickness and preference. You can also use a comb to style your hair in your desired way or use your fingers.

 

 

55. Disconnected Pompadour 

The pompadour is an excellent choice for someone who wants volume. Loved in the 50s, it has continued to be popular, and in modern times has become adapted to suit various hair textures and lengths. It can be quite a dramatic hairstyle, with short edges and back and hair kept longer on top. That said, there are various ways to change this look to suit you; opting to keep it short creates a much more wearable look. For an edgy interpretation of this style, pair it with a disconnected undercut, which creates an interesting contrast. It also helps achieve a more masculine appearance.

 

 

How to Style Short Hair for Men