Dating back to the Victorian Era, a Gentleman is distinguished, refined, and well-educated.
If you’re looking to adopt a more sophisticated look for work or your personal life, check out these timeless hairstyles that the most dapper of gentlemen have been donning for generations.
Although many young men shy away from the idea of investing time in their appearance, it can go a long way when it comes to confidence and networking.
Whether you’re interested in dressing better at work or just want a new style overall, these classic hairstyles will give you that gentlemanly edge.
01 The Classic Side Part
A side part is one of the most classic hairstyles around. It’s also a great hairstyle for men with thinning hair, as it will help disguise balding areas, as well as look great on men with thick hair.
Side parts are perfect for both professional and casual settings, making it a very versatile hairstyle.
Quite simply, this hairstyle consists of parting the hair on the side, then combing the hair over to one side.
This is an easy cut to style. You will need to have the right cut but every barber knows how to do this cut. It might be best to take a photo so that you can get the length you desire. After that, it’s as simple as adding a little pomade and using a comb to part your hair to one side.
A variation is a fade. This hairstyle is perfect for guys with thick hair, as it provides a low-maintenance look that will still look stylish and modern. The side part fade involves parting your hair to one side, then gradually fading the hair from short at the sides to longer towards the middle.
02 The Pushed Back Haircut
The slicked-back haircut is a great choice for men who want a stylish cut that is easy to style but has more of an edge than the classic comb-over.
This hairstyle can work for both short and long hair and can be styled in a variety of different ways, making it a great choice if you like to switch up your look often.
For a classic slicked-back hairstyle, apply a small amount of pomade to your hair, combing it all back towards the nape of your neck. Do be careful not to use too much product as you want to avoid a greasy look.
For a more modern take on the slicked-back hairstyle, apply some cream or styling paste to your hair, then rake it backward with your fingers for a textured and messy look similar to that sported by celebrities such as Bradley Cooper.
I had this hairstyle for a few years and really loved it.
03 The Longer Side Part
This hairstyle is essentially a longer version of the classic side part and is perfect for adding some texture and volume to your long hair. It has more length and volume, it is more nonchalant.
To achieve a longer side part, simply part your hair on the side. You can use a small amount of product to add texture and volume to your hair if desired. Again, avoid overdoing it as it will look to try hard if you use too much product.
This cut is a great way to add some extra style to a classic haircut. However, with more length, it will require more styling and care to keep it looking sharp.
04 The Crew Cut
A crew cut is one of the most common and classic hairstyles for men. This short hairstyle is perfect for almost any hair type and face shape. It’s a fuss-free, manly haircut that has been sported by gentlemen for generations.
To achieve a classic crew cut, simply have your hair cut short all around, with just a little more length left on the top.
You can also have your hair cut with a taper, where the hair is shorter at the back and longer on the top, which makes a crew cut look more fashionable and modern.
05 The Butch Cut
The butch haircut is a short and textured hairstyle that is perfect for guys who want a low-maintenance yet stylish look.
I myself got a buzz cut about 2 years ago. I liked it but ultimately, it was too extreme, too edgy to look gentlemanly. I eventually settled on the butch cut as a great middle-ground. It’s like a less extreme cut of the buzz cut and is more widely suitable. It is great for work and for casual settings and boasts extremely low maintenance.
This hairstyle is suitable for almost any hair type and can be styled in many different ways. To achieve a butch haircut, simply have your hair cut short all around with scissors to add texture.
This is a great hairstyle for guys who want to add some extra style to a short haircut and can work for most hair types and face shapes.
It’s the gentleman’s version of the buzz cut and looks great with a little stubble or a light beard.
06 The Pompadour Hairstyle
The pompadour hairstyle is one of the most popular hairstyles among men and is a great option if you are looking for a classic look with some flair.
This hairstyle is best suited to thicker hair with some workability and can be styled in many different ways to suit your personal taste.
To achieve a classic pompadour, simply apply product to the top of your hair, parting the hair towards one side and combing it upwards towards the middle. You can use a small amount of pomade, hair gel, or styling paste for this.
For a more modern take on the pompadour, simply apply product to the top of your hair, then rake it upwards, leaving it a bit messier than a classic pompadour.
If you have very thick hair and want to achieve a pompadour, you will likely need to use some product to make your hair thinner and easier to comb upwards. Pompadours are perfect for any hair type and are a great way to add some extra style to your look.
While the pompadour can look great, it requires more styling and maintenance than other cuts on this list so make sure to take this into consideration.
07 The Man Bun
The man bun is a modern, casual hairstyle that is perfect for gentlemen who want to add some extra style while staying on trend.
It’s a long textured hairstyle that is easy to style but does require some more maintenance than other cuts on this list. You will certainly need to invest in some high-quality shampoo, conditioner, and a hairdryer.
I actually sported a man bun a few years back and with this have some cautionary advice. While this style looks great with a beard and when well-maintained looks very gentlemanly, it may not be acceptable in some workplaces so make sure to check this.
Also, if you currently have short hair, you need to be committed to growing your hair out for at least 8 months, which will inevitably include some bad hair days/months.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when men would only be seen in a suit and tie.
However, some cuts have stood the test of time for a reason; these classic hairstyles are all good considerations for the modern gentleman.
Whether you want to go for a more sleek and modern look or keep it classic, these hairstyles are sure to impress.
As always, we hope that you found this post useful. If you have any thoughts or experiences to share on this topic, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.