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

Usher, Jamie Dornan, and Charles Melton with Short Sides and Long Top Haircuts for Men

Getty Images / Byrdie

Although most men's hairstyles tend to be on the shorter side, that doesn't mean there isn't an abundance of styles and variations to pick from. There are quiffs, pompadours, Caesar cuts, and braids, to start. One of the most popular types of haircuts for men, however, are those that are longer on the top and shorter on the sides. And even then, barbers can get extremely creative depending on what the client is looking for.

Apart from style, one must also factor in their lifestyle and how much maintenance they want to commit to. For example, certain types of fades and buzz cuts will require frequent trips to the barber shop, which may not be ideal for someone with a hyper-busy schedule or an on-the-go lifestyle. "The shorter the haircut, the more maintenance it will require," confirms Texas-based barber Wayne Wildrick, so make sure to take that seriously ahead of making your choice of cut.

Other than that, it's all about personality and what type of look you want to wear. So, we tapped Wildrick and hairstylist, Giovanni Vaccaro, to share the 31 best haircuts for men that have longer tops and shorter sides. From Chris Hemsworth's signature preppy look and Travis Scott's braids to Charles Melton's wavy quiff and Bradley Cooper's swept-back style, find them all below.

Meet the Expert

• 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.

01 of 31

Spiked Top

Liam Hemsworth

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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. The hair can also be combed neatly with a bit of pomade—try American Crew Pomade ($19)—for a more formal effect.

02 of 31

Modern Fade

Khalid

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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 a hydrating conditioner to ensure the hair on top stays moisturized.

03 of 31

Undercut With Fade

Zayn Malik with an undercut

 

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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."

Byrdie Tip

A mousse is the perfect styling product for men and it can be used to style all hair types.

04 of 31

Short Afro

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

 D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

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

05 of 31

Swept-Back

Bradley Cooper

Steven Ferdman / Stringer / Getty Images

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."

06 of 31

High and Tight

Will Smith

Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

 

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.

07 of 31

Wavy Pompadour

Radamel Falcao

 

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

08 of 31

Disconnected Sides

Justin Timberlake

Frazer Harrison / Staff/Getty Images

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.

Byrdie Tip

As with any style, keep in mind that some looks are better on specific face shapes. This particular style looks best on a narrower face.

09 of 31

Short Sides With Locs

Gabriel Barbosa

Wagner Meier / Stringer / Getty Images

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

10 of 31

Texturized Top

Jamie Dornan

Dave J Hogan / Contributor / Getty Images

This is a versatile style, which can be worn messy with a bit of styling paste—we like Ouai Matte Pomade ($24) or combed neatly and parted, for a more formal look.

11 of 31

High Skin Fade

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Steve Granitz/WireImage / Getty Images

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.

12 of 31

Wavy Quiff

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Give wavy hair an ultra-tousled look by growing out the top section of your hair and using a curl-enhancing product, such as the Rizos Curls Curl Defining Mousse ($22). It'll help maintain the integrity of your natural wave while reducing unwanted frizz.

13 of 31

Short and Rounded

Kevin Hart

Gregg DeGuire / Stringer / Getty Images

 

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.

14 of 31

Short, Lean Sides

Chris Hemsworth

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

15 of 31

Casual Separation

Zac Efron at the Australian Premiere of Baywatch

Brendon Thorne/Stringer/Getty Images

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.

16 of 31

Braids

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

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.

17 of 31

Shattered Bangs

Ashton Kutcher

C Flanigan / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

18 of 31

Afro Fade

Usher

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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."

Byrdie Tip

A low fade allows for more gradience, which you can’t get with a mid or high fade. 

19 of 31

Sleek Bangs

Cilian Murphy

Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

 

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.

20 of 31

Disconnected Bangs

Lucas Till

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

21 of 31

Locs

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

The Weeknd's locs mohawk features tightly trimmed sides that match the length of his facial hair. To keep locs moisturized and healthy, use a lightweight oil like the Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend ($14) once or twice a week.

22 of 31

Wavy Top

Kit Harington

Vera Anderson / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

23 of 31

Line Up

Michael B. Jordan

Steve Granitz / Contributor / Getty Images

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."

Byrdie Tip

"If you go in for a skin fade, it will show signs of growing out within a week," says Wildrick. "If you are trying to maintain that look, you will need to be back in the shop every one to two weeks."

24 of 31

Slicked-Back With Side Part

Joe Alwyn

Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

Here, Joe Alwyn's cut is short on the sides, longer up top, parted, and slicked back with a paste. Try Fatboy's Perfect Putty ($21) for a similar style.

25 of 31

Full Top

Miguel

Steve Granitz / Getty Images

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. For volume—without stiff hold—use a product like R+Co. Balloon Dry Volume Spray ($32).

26 of 31

Short Sides with Bangs

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

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

27 of 31

High Fade With Buzzed Sides

Steph Curry

Steve Jennings / Contributor / Getty Images

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.

28 of 31

Perfectly Disheveled

Robert Pattinson hair

Tibrina Hobson / Stringer/ Getty Images

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. 

29 of 31

High Top Fade

Odell Beckham Jr

Allen Berezovsky /Getty Images

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.

30 of 31

Messy Textured Top

Pete Davidson hairstyle

John Shearer / Getty Images

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.)

31 of 31

Sky-High Pompadour

men's haircut longer on top short on sides

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Give the top of your hair some major volume with a retro-inspired pompadour à la Bruno Mars. To keep it in place, use a medium-hold pomade that gives hair a shiny finish, such as Hanz de Fuko's Modify Pomade ($25).

FAQ
  • What is the difference between a fade and a taper?

    A taper is when the stylist cuts hair in a way that the length gradually gets shorter. A fade also gradually gets shorter, however it eventually fades into the skin. A fade is good if you want a short and tight style, while a taper is more natural. 

  • What haircut looks best on men with round faces?

    A haircut with short sides and long top is flattering on men with round faces as it creates the illusion of a slimmer face—so all of the above 31 styles are good options. If you have a round face, avoid hairstyles that have volume on the sides.

  • What hairstyles are best for men with cowlicks?

    Grab some hair gel and a hair dryer to help tame your cowlick. You can embrace your cowlick with messy or tousled hairstyles like Robert Pattinson’s look above. A pompadour hairstyle also works well with cowlicks. For a low-maintenance style, grow your hair out for a cool, shaggy look. 

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