A crew cut is a sharp, clean, and all-time look, which makes it the number one choice of men from all around the globe. This haircut was named after the sports crew from the Ivy League. Initially, the members of rowing teams kept their hair off their eyes this way. Now, it’s considered an ageless trend that has an approach to every man. Such men's haircuts were also called short pompadour for their pomp-like tops. The hit among men's hairstyles, a crew haircut is shorter around its back and sides, tapered or faded into a slightly longer top.
What Is A Crew Cut?
by @keller_konturen
A crew cut is a classic and short men's hairstyle characterized by short, semi-short, or medium sides and back with a slightly longer top. This cut is classified as a size 4 because the hair contains an inch-long top with buzzed or tapered sides. A few times, the cut resembles a pomp near the hairline and in such instances is called “a short pompadour.” The crew cut has been able to evolve into various hairstyles, while still preserving the rule “shaved sides, long top.”
Classic Crew Cut
by @birdcobarbers
These crew haircuts are classic. We like that these haircuts are manageable and also appropriate for any occasion. If you are a professional, then such haircuts are for you! Not only do classic haircuts like these have an approach to all hair types but they also can fit any face shape. In other words, you won’t ever go wrong picking one of them.
How To Style A Crew Cut?
French Crop Crew Cut
by @iisakkinummi
Technically, the haircuts you can observe here are French crop. This look can be styled easily by experimenting with different textures and styling products. For example, one French crop can have various textured finishes, which means you will never get bored with it. Use a lightweight mousse if you want to create a carefree messy look.
Brushed Up and Back Crew Cut
by @iisakkinummi
While there’s nothing complicated about this hairstyle, you can take a creative approach to it and play with its variations. Depending on the product you work with, you can create a sleek, pointed, textured, or disheveled finish for your brushed-up look.
Textured Fringe
by @birdcobarbers
If you have a big forehead, you can draw attention from this feature by wearing a textured crop that falls as a fringe. Men with wide cheekbones can balance out their looks with the help of a well-tapered short pompadour. Just be creative when it comes to crew cuts or draw some inspo from a wide variety of Bryce Harper hair looks.!
Surgical Line Crew Haircut
by @javyloso
These haircuts are all trimmed and rather low. And it is quite interesting how these haircuts draw attention towards the front. Shaved lines are pretty simple, yet significant details that add a lot of character to a man’s haircut. The best thing is, your crew hair look can feature this modern element wherever you want, from the sides to the temples.
Crew Cut with A Beard
by @alan_beak
Whether you prefer big and bushy beards resembling the spirit of Vikings or you like to keep things as simple and smart as possible to pull off the best hipster haircut look, you will find this cut a nice base for your beardo look.
Stylist's Advice: Make sure to keep up with the balance: with full beards, it’s better to wear short, well-leveled cuts. And for medium beards or stubbles, add more height with the texture on top.
Mid-Fade + Crew Haircut
by @ryancullenhair
A mid fade cut will keep your look neat, while the sharply chopped textured top will add a sense of modernity and masculinity to it. What makes these ideas so special is the perfectly outlined temples which make the look very clean and sophisticated.
Editor's Advise: If you don’t like to spend much time on styling your hair, you can ask your barber for a slightly textured finish that will show up once you dry your hair with a blow dryer or leave it air dry. As for men who love to keep control under their hair, a semi-shine gel is a must for everyday styling.
Side-Swept Crew Cut
by @alan_beak
While side-swept and side-parted haircuts work well for both casual and official events, they offer a great canvas for styling creativity. Surely, it’s all about the texture and the finish! For big events, nothing works better than shiny pomades that make the structure of your cut as precise as never before. As for regular daily styling, waxes will do the trick.
Short Crew Cut
by @alan_beak
Such haircuts are meant to keep a wearer not only comfortable with his hair but also stylish and modern. They can adapt to any image, whether you’re a businessman or a student. Plus, one can always make his short crew haircut unique and distinctive by choosing a fade that matches his face shape, hair type, and preferences.
Tousled & Textured
by @ryancullenhair
To make the popular messy styling easier, ask your barber for layers on the top. Layered hair is lightweight and manageable, which allows for various styling ideas. Plus, it holds the result in place all day long. You can get your edges layered for a slightly pointed spiky finish. Or, spice up the whole mane with them for a more disheveled look.
Styling Tip: The styling itself can be different, but there’s one way you won’t ever go wrong with: tousling with your fingers. Work the product into your mane and run your fingers through it until you achieve the desired shape.
Curly Crew Haircut
by @ryancullenhair
For men with curly hair, a crew cut is not just a stylish and modern haircut; it’s their chance to tame those stubborn curls, whipping them into good shape. You can regulate the length of the top, as well as define your curls with various styling products to create a unique and striking look for your hair.
Edgy & Textured
by @alan_beak
The crew haircut is as classic as it’s edgy. Sharp short layers and cropped feathers are the best way to add a bit of an edge to your hair. Once you get your cut, feel free to experiment with your styling products.
Styling Tip: If you want every single layer to stand out, a firm clay or strong-hold pomade will be your best friend. For a relaxed, flowing look, anything from daily pomades to waxes will be just good.
Hard Parted Crew Cut
by @alan_beak
Once you get a shaved part in the barbershop, you will forget about those torturous hours of trying to tame your stubborn hair into a decent part. It doesn’t only shorten the styling time. It also gives a very outlined and clean finish to all hairstyles possible. Be it a pompadour, brushed-back crew cut, or a sophisticated side-parted look, a hard part is what will be the highlight.
Remember: while adding a lot of ease to your styling routine, this element will need trimming regularly.
Faux Hawk
by @ryancullenhair
The Faux Hawk is a modern take on the classic crew cut that adds a touch of edginess and flair. Characterized by longer hair at the center of the head, gradually tapering down towards the back and sides, this style mimics the appearance of a mohawk without the extreme shaving of the sides.
Crew Cut with Faded Sides
by @spukthebarber
Introduce an element of contemporary style by incorporating a fade into the traditional crew cut. The fade involves a gradual tapering of hair length from top to bottom, creating a seamless transition between the longer hair on the crown and the shorter sides.
Short Pompadour
by @andrewdoeshair
If you love yourself a pompadour, well our stylists have found a way to combine it with your regular crew cuts. This style features slightly longer hair on top, allowing for a small, controlled pompadour at the front.
Skin Fade
by @spukthebarber
If you’re on the team of men who love extremely short haircuts, we’ve got something trendy for you! This skin fade takes your crew cut to the next level of boldness by incorporating a shaved or "skin" fade along the sides and back. Get this skin fade and you’ll look so clean and polished wherever you go.
Slicked Back
by @xbigwesx
Achieved by combing the longer hair on top back and styling it with a grooming product, this variation of the crew cut is perfect for those who want a refined yet contemporary appearance. Be it to your office, for a date night or a general hangout with friends, this cut leaves you feeling confident 24/7.
Fuzzy Crew Cut
by @alan_beak
LH editors introduce a textured and slightly tousled aesthetic to the classic crew cut. This style embraces a more relaxed and casual vibe, perfect for individuals who prefer a low-maintenance look with a touch of rugged charm. The intentional "messiness" of the Fuzzy Crew Cut adds personality and character, showcasing that even the most structured hairstyles can have a laid-back and approachable feel.
Blonde Crew Cut
by @a.nizhnick
We’ve talked about alterations to the crew cut, so it’s time to discuss eye-catching colors that can transform your usual style. With this style, you don’t only emphasize the clean lines and structured silhouette of the crew cut but also play with the element of color. Choose a blond hue and add a dynamic and vibrant dimension to your hairstyle that leaves you standing out in the crowd.
Silver Crew Cut
by @spukthebarber
If you’re not a fan of blonde, that’s not the end of your crew-cut journey! Silver tones added to your cut give you a distinguished and mature look that carries an air of sophistication and wisdom. The silver hue is ideal for those who have no issue experimenting with their cuts but still want a style that’s a little muted, not too sharp, and not too dull.
Messy Crew Cut
by @spukthebarber
Whether it’s the spring or summer season, if you’re looking to get a crew cut that’s as carefree as the season’s vibe, this messy cut was made just for you. This style breaks away from the precision of the classic crew cut, introducing an effortlessly tousled and carefree vibe. You come off as more playful, free-spirited, and relaxed thanks to the appeal of this style.
Ivy League Crew Cut
by @r.braid
The Ivy League Crew Cut, also known as the Princeton or Harvard Clip, combines the timeless charm of the crew cut with the polished and preppy aesthetics of the Ivy League hairstyle. Characterized by slightly longer hair at the top and front, this style can be adapted to fit into both casual and formal settings.
Military Crew Cut
by @dexterdapper
The military crew cut, often referred to simply as the "buzz cut," is a classic and timeless hairstyle that has its roots in military tradition. This ultra-short haircut is characterized by closely cropped sides and back, leaving the top very short as well. By opting for this cut, you have a clean, neat, and low-maintenance style that exudes a sense of discipline and professionalism.
Long Crew Cut
by @alan_beak
Despite how the crew cut is identified with shorter sides and back and a longer top, you can be a little extra with the hair at the top. Almost similar to the Ivy League cut, your stylist has to strike a balance between a classic shortcut and a longer more textured style.
No Fade Crew Cut
by @charliegray248
While we’ve seen most of the above cuts incorporating little to more evident fades, a no-fade cut is still very much an option for you if you’re not a fan of the tapering technique. According to LH stylists, your cut would maintain an even length throughout the uniform head, very easy to maintain and suitable for all ages. If you appreciate the simplicity and enjoy having a no-nonsense approach, this style aids in emphasizing both effortlessly.
How Do I Get a Crew Cut?
You don’t need to be a barber to notice that the classic crew cut is pretty simple in terms of structure. The good news is, you don’t need to be in a barbershop to get this cut, too. A lot of men have switched to self-haircuts, making it a part of their hair care routine. If you’d like to save some time and money on barbershop sessions, all you need is good hair clippers.
How To Cut A Crew Cut?
- When giving yourself a haircut, the sides are your starting point. First off, think of how you want the sides to look, choosing between a fade or a taper. For the former, the lowest setting will do just great, while the latter will require the number 2 setting. Work on your sides, and then move to the back, tilting your clippers as you move up for even results.
- For the top, use a 3 or 4 to create a contrast between the top and sides.
- Blend the top and sides into a smoother finish by changing attachments and balancing out the hair in an upward motion.
- Add a finishing touch of neatness to your crew-cut hair look by outlining the ears and nape with bare blades.
How do you ask for a crew cut?
What Face Shape Is Good for a Crew Cut?
Another great thing about the men's crew cut lies in its ability to work for everyone. One can tailor and customize his haircut based on his style preferences, as well as hair type and face shape.
- Oval faces have perfectly balanced proportions, so they can rock anything from traditional versions to modern crew-cut fade variations.
- Round faces may appear wide in the cheek area, which you can conceal with a longer top and nicely faded sides.
- Square faces look fantastic with restrained crew-cut military ideas that accentuate their sharp features.
- Diamond faces should opt for a crew cut no-fade versions to balance out the big forehead.
- Heart-shaped faces must only go with a crew-cut low-fade version, as it’s one of the few options that don’t widen the forehead visually.
- Triangle faces had better keep enough volume on the sides of their crew fades to balance out the jawline.
- Oblong faces may appear even longer with a crew haircut, so it’s better to consult with your barber.
Crew Cut Tips
Although every man can wear his crew haircut however he desires, some tips will help you perfect your look no matter what it is.
- Taper off your neckline to create a neater look.
- Don’t wear a beard or heavy stubble to keep your cut tidy and sophisticated.
- If you’d like to add a masculine feel, keep the top long and disheveled.
- Remember that the longer the hair on top, the more time it needs for styling.
- Trim your cut regularly: the contrast should be balanced.
FAQ: Crew Cut
What number is a crew cut?
What is a crew cut number? The back and sides of a crew cut are usually no more than a quarter-inch, or number 4. They fade down to a 1 or 2 in most cases. A classic crew cut should be no more than an inch long on top, which corresponds to the number 8 attachment on your hair-cutting machine.
Is crew cut a fade?
The Crew cut, just like the Buzz cut, gets its name from its military roots. In contrast to Buzz cuts, however, with a Fade the hair is tapered in the back and sides. The word crew cut is typically used to refer to all very short hairstyles. Outside of the military, this is known as a skin fade.
How long does a crew cut last?
A crew cut typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks. The shorter the faded sides and back, the more difficult it will be to maintain and the shorter its lifespan will be.
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