Less length doesn’t have to mean less style! Today, let’s explore some short haircut styles for men with straight hair.
Is it me, or does it seem as if curly hair is all the rage these days? Maybe it’s because I live in a family-oriented neighborhood with a high concentration of schools.
I have friends whose teenage sons style their hair to get that curly top aesthetic all the cool young kids are sporting.
That’s not my speed, though. I’m always on the lookout for good short haircuts for men with straight hair. See, I have naturally wavy hair. However, after I’ve washed it, I prefer to comb my damp hair out and apply some styling products so that it dries straighter.
By the way, did you know there’s a proper way to wash and condition your hair?
Just because you have less to work with than gents with longer hair doesn’t mean you can’t make an impression. Even more, shorter hair is so much less hassle, in my opinion.
Short haircuts for men with beards create a stylish, modern look that enhances facial features and is easy to maintain. Check out 13 low-maintenance men’s short choppy hairstyles for 2024 if you’re looking for trendy, easy-to-manage haircut ideas.
Let’s take a look at some cool styles.
15 Short Haircut Styles for Men With Straight Hair
Popular men’s hairstyles like the fade, undercut, and pompadour can transform your look and keep you on trend effortlessly. Short simple men’s haircuts are easy to maintain, offering a clean and stylish look without the hassle of complicated grooming routines. Here are 15 haircuts and hairstyles that work well with short hair, straight hair, and short, straight hair. Heck, even if you have curly hair, you can always straighten it and try some of these cool cuts out.
Either way, these are definitely worth showing your barber for your next haircut! And all personal styles are represented, from the rebels to the traditionalists.
The Ivy League
Here’s a haircut you can file in the good boy section. In the ‘50s, the Ivy League was the conformist answer to the rocker’s pompadour.
It’s almost like a crew cut but with a side part on the longer top. To this day, it’s an excellent choice for a professional or overall classic look.
The Army Buzz
The main benefit of the army buzz cut is that it’s easy to maintain. It doesn’t work for all guys, but when it does, it really suits them.
Those with angular facial features can sport a buzz cut well because there’s no hair blocking their naturally defined bone structure. It’s also just great if you love military style.
And if you like, check out our in-depth guide on different army cuts!
The Crew Cut
The crew cut looks great for those with thick or thin hair and is particularly complementary to square face shapes. It has the disciplined “good guy” look of a military cut, but the slightly longer hair up top allows you to add some personality.
So, it’s standard, with all of the potential to still be distinct.
The Caesar
The Caesar features short layers up top with short sides all around. Its defining feature is the short, cut bangs in the front.
This cut goes in and out of style constantly. However, it always looks good on people with oval face shapes (which is probably the shape Caesar himself had).
The French Crop
With short hair, the French crop looks a bit like the Caesar, depending on how you cut your would-be bangs. However, it can add a Peaky Blinders vibe if you allow just a little bit of length up top to contrast the short back and sides.
Even more, you can decide on how dramatic you want the taper to be. It can be gradual, like with a fade, or so dramatic that it’s one step away from an undercut.
The Undercut
An undercut simply means the top of your head is significantly longer than the sides, with no gradual fade.
Of course, the effects are more dramatic the longer your hair is up top. However, it’s a statement look that works with all hair lengths.
Spiky Hair
Okay, so you might think that this style is a little too early aughts boy band, right? Not if your hair is short enough (avoid the frosted tips, too). With short hair, say about an inch long, you can use hair products to spike the top to add structure to your naturally straight hair.
To inject more intention into the aesthetic, add a side part for even more architecture.
The Fade
This can be worn with long hair or short hair. Basically, your barber will create a literal fade from the top side of your head down to the actual sides. It creates a gradient of sorts. It’s like an undercut but one with gradual sides instead of dramatic ones.
You can then wear the top slicked back or with a part. Unlike with long hair, you don’t have to worry too much about whether or not the top of the fade will stay in place. Short hair has less movement and fewer places to go on your head than long hair, after all.
Or you can fade it low, with the short hair starting closer to your earline, for a unique and fashion-forward look.
Note that a fade differs from a taper (here’s how).
Short Finger Waves
You don’t actually need wavy hair to pull this off. And applying it to short hair adds a modern touch to a vintage classic. Any hair stylist will know how to do it, but you can do it at home, too, using wave-making products.
Or, if you’re so bold, you can try old-fashioned curlers. All you need is a slight wave to get the effect.
The “Sloppy” French Crop
This is basically a French crop, but you’ve textured and styled the top in bedhead style.
When it comes to short hair, I think this simply adds character and dimension to your hair instead of actually looking messy. Unlike with long hair, everything tends to stay in place with little product.
A Hard, Dramatic Part
This is definitely a trendier cut, which is why it looks great with zero fade. By creating an instant fade right beneath a side part or by starting the part higher up on your head, you draw attention to the line.
This allows it to be a harder line, serving as a decorative element on your head.
The Induction
The induction is just the shortest buzz cut possible.
It actually works well on people with thick, coarse hair because you can cut super close to your scalp while still maintaining a whisper of your hair’s character.
The best part? It’s the easiest cut to maintain.
The Short Quiff
A quiff, in general, is one in which your hair has more length and airiness, vertical volume up top than on the sides. Even with short hair, you can make this happen by using the product, and possibly a hair dryer, to add that soft volume.
I also love that when you do this with short hair, it looks cleaner and less trendy than when you do it with long hair.
The Faux Hawk
Hear me out. When your locks are super short, a faux hawk isn’t as punk rock-looking.
It sort of just adds some architecture and texture to your hair. If you add bangs to it, it ends up looking a bit like the Caesar or a French crop since the whole top of the head is textured to begin with.
Another thing you can do is add a side part and let the faux hawk middle spikes lean away from the part a bit, creating an edgier rendition of the Ivy League.
The Classic
And, of course, you can always just comb all your hair back for a timelessly handsome Cary Grant look. He is, after all, a true fashion icon.
This is the cut professional men have been doing for decades, and it actually works for all hair lengths.
Of course, you’ll need a good inch or two all around to make it happen.
You don’t need the sides to be shorter to do this, though you have the option to cut it that way if you like the silhouette it creates. And you can always add that side part for a bit of structure.
FAQ
Do you still have some questions about straight, short haircuts? No problem. Here are some commonly asked questions with quick answers:
Which Haircut Is Best for Short and Straight Hair?
There are several ways a man can cut his short, straight hair. A buzz cut or its shorter equivalent, the induction, is great for people with angular features. The men’s butch cut is a low-maintenance hairstyle that’s short and neat, perfect for those who prefer a clean, simple look.
Meanwhile, several variations of the classic taper on the sides look great in most face shapes. Some include a short quiff or the Ceasar. It’s a matter of your preferences and how much maintenance you’re willing to deal with!
How Should Guys Style Short Straight Hair?
How you should wear your hair depends on your style. If you like a classic, professional look, you can part the side and do an Ivy League.
You can also simply style the sides of your hair back to achieve a similarly clean look without any tapering. Meanwhile, you can go for textures such as short bangs or even finger waves if you want something more eye-catching.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need Long Hair To Look Good
I know that conventional standards often make naturally textured, thick, long hair feel like the gold standard. A lot of men think they want that JFK Jr. look.
And again, going through fashion-focused TikTok and Instagram Reels might make you feel like it’s all about wavy tresses. That curly top cut is definitely trending among young people right now.
However, short hair, in my opinion, can often look more timeless. And even more importantly, it’s so much easier to take care of. As someone with naturally wavy hair, I can tell you running a comb through my head isn’t as easy for me as it is for my buddies with naturally straight hair.
And if you have thin hair, it’s a lot less obvious when you wear it short than when you wear it long. Of course, thin hair is nothing to be ashamed of. The point I’m making is that you can look good no matter what your natural hair texture is and no matter what your length preference is.
The biggest takeaway I hope you get from this is that even when you don’t have a lot to work with, you can still make your hair look cool. Or classic. Whichever you prefer.
How do you like to style your straight, short hair? If you’re going to try any of the cuts and styles mentioned here, I’d love to hear from you — especially if you’re trying it for the first time! And if you’ve worn your hair both long and short but prefer it short, let me know why in the comments!
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