Smart, strong, and classic are a few words that come to mind when thinking of a crew cut. It has stood the test of time and continues to do so. A cut that has been around for years with the term ‘crew’ deriving from all-American greatness and from the rowers and athletes that once donned this solid look. With clipped sides and varying lengths on top, this astute style comes in many great forms to complete any man’s look. Check out the following variations to mix your crew up this year.
1. Ivy League Crew Cut
This is where the Crew Cut first began – this variation of the cut cries out for professionalism, confidence, and sleekness. It has a longer grade on top, often cut with scissors as opposed to clippers, which allows for styling and a more natural finish. For a new look that is simple but smart, the Ivy League crew cut is a great choice.
2. The French Crop
Not to be confused with the Caesar Cut, the french crew cut is a minimalist style cut, with buzzed sides combined with the weight of the forward-facing longer hair on top, giving you a really cool, yet manageable style. Add a little mattifying wax to make the choppy texture stand out.
3. Caesar Cut
A cut fit for a ruler, a formidable figure with a formidable style. This style of forward-facing hair, made famous by the man himself, is still on the head of many men to this day. Similar to the French crop, however, the Caesar is shorter fringe length yet another great variation of the crew. Its shorn sides and untimely uniform look are another awesome style to consider – check out this article for more Caesar cut styling ideas.
4. High and Tight
This is a military-style crew, which is popular among stylish civilians. A short clipper length around the back and sides, all at the same length to give that tight look, finishing with a slightly longer buzz to give that well-defined strip at the top, leaving you with a strong marked look.

high and tight
5. The Buzz Cut
The buzz cut, a classic look, clipped down to the same length on top giving a really sleek uniformed finish. Accompanying a buzz you will find high, medium, or low fades to complete your amazing style. A word of warning, however – if you are going to rock a shorter haircut a là Zayn Malik, make sure you protect the skin on your head from damaging UV rays with a hair-friendly SPF or a super trendy bucket hat.
6. Pompadour Crew
This sleek, full-bodied Pompadour cut originates from the 18th Century by Madame de Pompadour. This crew-style cut was taken to rock n’ roll heights in the 50s by the likes of Elvis Presley and James Dean and requires careful styling with pomade. For the man, who wants to quaff longer hair, but with a chic, sharp look of a fade or a taper, this is perfect for the longer-haired man.
7. Curly Hair Crew Cut
Curls can often be tough to handle and difficult to know what style will suit you. However, curls in a crew make such a great, natural combination. Whether you have long locks or a shorter tighter look on top, curls with tapered or faded sides help create a really stylish finish and a great option for summer. Check out
8. Comb Over and Side Sweep
The comb over, this is such a classy look, it really is. Another style that has stood the test of time, a more compact version of the side sweep with that really defined comb tooth style, it is a prolific look to consider. A combover side sweep fits really well with hard partings, to help define your style.
9. Wave Cut
This is a defined look, cropped short like a Caesar style cut, with combing techniques used to create that distinct effect on tightly curled hair. This works really well with fades or tapers and suits short to medium length beards. If you are looking for a change, this really is the one for you.
10. Faux Hawk
The faux hawk is the perfect look for the men out there who are looking for a less intense version of the mohawk. The hair is cut or clipped shorter on the sides but not completely buzzed. The key to this is not to have too much differentiation between the longer and shorter hairs and then allow for the fade lower down, using gel sparingly through the lengths to create soft (but not crunchy!) spikes. This rocking look lets you keep business as usual in the week but keeps your punk style for the weekend.
11. Side Swept Crew
This is a great natural look it is a modern variation of the crew cut with a longer length on top, it is similar in style to the comb-over but for shorter hair. With the side sweep medium fades work really well creating this really smart, a stylish cut which is also extremely easy to maintain.
12. Textured Crew Cut
This is a style that is more suitable for men who find their hair a little on the softer side especially after washing. This is a great option for the men out there with naturally straighter hair, and adding a high fade around the back and sides of the head keeps this look bang up-to-date.
13. Pompadour with Beard
A beard is a great addition to your crew, gone are the days of it being seen as a scruffy look, a well-kept beard says a lot about a man and is a great variation for your style. The maintenance of your beard and skin is very important, make sure you keep on top of stray hairs, wash it regularly, and use beard oil. Fancy a short pompadour more? Customize it fully per your preference!
14. Clean Crew Cut With Beard
If you are after a style with a beard but looking for something less severe than a straight buzzcut, try a buzz style crew accompanied with a shorter length beard giving a really tight look. This is a great option for summer, very easy maintenance and looks incredibly sharp.
15. Bleach Blonde Crew Cut
Yes, this arguably isn’t a different style of crew cut in terms of length and shape, however, adding colour to your look can be the change you need, bleach blonde is a very favourable colour as demonstrated by rappers Eminem and Kanye West. This is a bold style, very striking, and very cool (and not for the faint-hearted!)
16. Hard Parting Crew Cut
This is a style that can be bred into a crew cut. It can give a more defined choice for your crew, taking your strong classic look into a modern-day finish. This style oozes confidence and finesse.
17. Undercut Crew Hairstyle
This is a style that came from Edwardian times, and is embraced and beautifully fashioned by many a stylish man. With medium to long hair on top and the back and sides buzzed short this creates a really cool and defined look. Keep facial hair equally well groomed and you’re good to go! Check out more ‘long on top, short back and sides’ looks here.
18. Crew Cut With Fade
A style of having no hair on the back and sides of your cut, which then gradually increase as you work your way to the top, your hair ‘Fades In’. This style works extremely well with crew cuts, and can increasingly be found with longer lengths. It leaves a very clean finish.
Choose your fade!
High Fade
Give your crew a high fade. Why? Because it’s a solid look. The high fade commonly follows a straight line from the hairline around the back of the head, and the fade drops away down the side and back of the head. It’s a really cool style and well worth considering.
Mid Fade Crew Top
With the mid fade it starts in the middle of your head, which is a great option for your look if you’re not sure about having a high or low fades, it offers a bit more of an adaptable image. The great thing about medium fades is it works with all types of cuts, and works so well with the crew.
Low Fade Crew
I’m sure by now you get a sense of where this is going, for a full look around the back and sides, this is the fade for you. With all these fades they make great inclusions for the different styles in this article
19. Tapered Crew Cut
Working from top to bottom, this describes the style of longer hair at the top but gradually decreasing in length as you reach the hair-line. It’s such great addition to the crew – just add a little hairspray to hold the look together.
20. Crew Cut For Thinning Hair
The crew cut is a fantastic option for men with thinning hair, avoiding the wispiness that longer styles can sometimes bring. Everyone from Brad Pitt to Tom Hardy (pictured) has rocked a short crew cut, and it’s a wonderfully low maintenance cut for the summer.
FAQ
1. Does Crew Cut Look Good?
Most guys can pull off a crew cut, no matter the face shape. Getting any type of skin fade with tapered sides will look attractive. In fact, you can go for a long crew cut, a classic crew cut, or a curly crew cut to experiment and adjust the look per your face shape & personal preference. The truth is that men’s hairstyles work differently on different hair types, which is why you should ask your barber for a customizable look that suits you well.
2. How Do I Make My Crew Cut Look Good?
Take a close look at your forehead size, your hair texture & quality, and try different looks than on! The right type of taper fade blends into the top of the head and has a graduate layer. Make sure to use a small tooth brush to get rid of any knots o stubble strands. The truth is that investing 5 minutes a day (only) will leave you with the perfect messy crew cut!
3. Are Crew Cuts In Style?
Are you wondering what is the best crew cut? Not too sure if modern crew cuts for 2022 are achievable or attractive? Luckily for you, they are! The trick is in rocking a crew cut fade that you really like and styling it with confidence. In the end, this style can suit all the different age groups.
Having Said All Of That
And there you have it! A ton of cool and different cool short haircut ideas. Are you more so a fan of side part looks, and quiff hairdos, or are you looking for a true Princeton good-boy vibe?! Browse through all of these options, we can’t wait to see what you pick out of the bunch and from this list.
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