51 Best Short Haircuts For Men: The Most Versatile Trim There Is

Short back & sides, done well: the must-have short hairstyles for men.

51 Best Short Haircuts For Men: The Most Versatile Trim There Is

Image: DMARGE/Getty

Short hairstyles for men have always been a popular choice. They’re versatile, stylish, and can be easily customized to suit any personality. When you choose a short haircut, you’re essentially making a statement about who you are and what you want to project to the world. Are you looking for a classic and timeless look? Or do you want something more edgy and daring? The possibilities are endless.

The best part about short haircuts is that they’re constantly evolving. There are always new trends and styles to try, so you can always find something that reflects your current mood or sense of style. And because short haircuts are so versatile, you can easily change them up if you want to experiment with something new.

Some popular short hair simple hairstyles for men include the crew cut, buzz cut, Mohawk, slicked back, undercut, French crop, faux hawk, textured crop and quiff. Remember, the important thing is to choose a style that you feel confident and comfortable with. Let’s dive in!

What The Experts Say

Adam Walmsley: Salon Owner At Friends & Family and Hairdresser Extraordinaire

We asked Adam Walmsley, a hairdresser and salon owner with over 20 years of experience cutting men’s hair, all about short hair for men:

When it comes to cutting short hair:

  • Keep the contrast in length to a minimum when choosing short haircuts for men. Having a short haircut that blends gradually from the back and sides into a slightly longer length on top will increase longevity and versatility.
  • Make sure your hairdresser graduates your hairline around the back and sides as close to a natural finish as possible. This means no hard lines on the neck!

When it comes to styling short hair:

  • The best thing about short hair is its versatility. If you want something slick, you can opt for a classic pomade which will imbue it with a lovely shin for those occasions where you want to look sharp.
  • For casual occasions, something like a clay is great, offering the same hold as a pomade but with a matte finish. Its fibrous nature also offers a more textured finish if you like a messier look. Moulding pastes work here too.
  • Most men find that one of these options works and will stick to their chosen product for years at a time. Why not get a wax in your rotation too? This will give you another option should you want to keep things fresh and is a perfect middle ground for work. We recommend Davines for a strong hold.
Clays For Days
Davines: This Is A Strong Moulding Clay 75ml

Davines: This Is A Strong Moulding Clay 75ml

This Is A Strong Moulding clay allows for lets you get creative with hairstyling, providing a long-lasting hold without a sticky or wet-looking finish.

Asking Your Barber For A Short Haircut

Don’t expect to just sit down in the chair and let your barber cut away. It’s always useful to have several examples of the short hairstyle you’re after stored on your phone, whether these be of celebrities or images you’ve found online.

Use celebrities as inspiration for hairstyles for short hair, as you’re unlikely to replicate their exact look.

As any good barber will tell you, we’re not all made for the same style of a short hairstyle, no matter how good it may look on someone else. Like it or not, there are several different hair types; straight or wavy, thin or thick, there’s a lot to consider.

These factors and many more can have a direct effect on the short haircut that works for you. A good barber or hairdresser will also ask you questions about what you wear. They’ll approach your overall cut with this in mind to keep you looking good in your threads.  

Maintaining Short Hairstyles For Men

Short haircuts look their best when they are just that, short. Inevitably, your hair grows and after 2-3 weeks it will start to look a little untidy, especially around the neckline and over your ears. To help combat this unkempt look, make sure you revisit your barber every four weeks at the very least. If you’re able to maintain a regular schedule, hitting that sweet 3-week mark will have you looking slick and suave all year round.

Keeping on top of the maintenance will be of particular importance to guys with thick hair. When you get your hair cut short, it’s always a good idea to ask your barber to point cut it to create some texture, allowing you to be able to run your hands through it much easier, and removing some of the weight.

If you have thick hair, this texture will disappear as your hair grows, making it harder to style and taking longer to dry.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans with short hair.
Chris Evans attends the The Gray Man Netflix special screening at Zoopalast on July 18, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. Image: Getty

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill with short hair.
Henry Cavill rocking the short hair look. Image: Getty

Tom Brady

Tom Brady with short hair.
Tom Brady keeping things short. Image: Getty

Austin Butler

Austin Butler with short hair.
Austin Butler attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Image: Film Magic

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling with short hair.
Ryan Gosling seen leaving the Good Morning America studios in Times Square. Image: Getty

Our Favourite Short Hairstyle Ideas

Need some inspiration? We’ve rounded up some of the most popular men’s short hairstyles to help you decide which is best for you.