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Home / Blog / Grooming

8 Classy Haircuts for Older Men (2022 Guide)

Published on March 26, 2020 by Ian Chandler · Grooming May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Older men can be every bit as stylish as younger guys. Need proof? Check out our list of the best haircuts for older men.

Table of Contents

  • The Best Short Haircuts for Older Men
    • Slicked Back
    • Textured Crop
    • Bald Crop
    • Caesar Cut
    • Textured Waves
  • The Best Long Hairstyles for Older Men
    • Short Quiff
    • Layered Quiff with Fade
    • Fringe
  • Final Thoughts

It’s a myth that older guys have fewer options when it comes to the hair department.

While it’s true that older men might not have as much hair, there’s still plenty of fashionable options to choose from.

(Spoiler alert: You don’t have to resort to the Trump-style comb over.)

Whether you’re balding or still have a full head of hair, you have a lot of choices. So let’s take a look at some of the best older men’s hairstyles, and hopefully you’ll find your next cut here!

The Best Short Haircuts for Older Men

Let’s take a look…

Slicked Back

The slicked back hairstyle is one of the easiest cuts for older men to sport.

It’s a classic hairstyle that evokes mid-20th century celebrities like James Dean and Cary Grant, but it’s still every bit as suave today as it was back then.

Slicked Back
Source: @martialvivot

It’s an incredibly versatile haircut that requires virtually no effort.

The most you’ll need is a bit of product––we recommend a good oil-based pomade––to give the hair that trademark slick appearance.

If you want to go completely natural, you can just brush your hair back and be done with it. This is a good option if you have hair that’s on the thicker side.

This look complements everything from salt and pepper hair to full-on grey.

Even if you’ve got a receding hairline, this haircut will look great since it’s kept longer up top and on the sides and back.

Textured Crop

For a shorter, lower maintenance option, take a look at this stylish crop with loads of texture.

Textured Crop
Source: @martialvivot

This is a messier style that uses layers to bring the hair forward, which can help cover up a receding hairline.

The messiness is what creates the texture and gives the appearance of a fuller head of hair.

You might have noticed that the hair is longer in the back. This also helps the hair look fuller and thicker.

The best part is that everything looks natural, and if you have thinning hair, you know how important that is.

Bald Crop

Going bald? *Gone* bald? You’ve got nothing to worry about.

No, really. Enter the bald crop:

Bald Crop
Source: @martialvivot

This is an uber stylish way to rock your baldness without having to shave your entire head or have the dreaded ring of hair.

The hair is buzzed uniformly all over the head, but it doesn’t go too short, which is key because it creates evenness.

This style goes especially well with a beard (or really any facial hair), which will add extra weight and draw the attention away from the baldness.

Caesar Cut

The Caesar Cut is a tried-and-true haircut that’s as simple as it gets. The hair is cut to the same length all over, and it’s usually kept pretty short, anywhere from a #2 to #5 clipper setting.

One reason this cut is so great is because it works with almost any hair type, from straight and thin to kinky and coiled.

Check out how Will Smith rocks the Caesar cut:

Caesar Cut
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

You can’t really go wrong with a Caesar. It suits almost every personal style and environment, and it might be the most flexible cuts on this list. It’s one of the best short haircuts for older men you’ll find, period.

Textured Waves

Finally, let’s look at a style that’s perfect for taking full advantage of wavy hair.

Here’s Joaquin Phoenix sporting a wavy look at the Oscars:

Textured Waves
Source: Eater

His hair is incredibly tousled, but it works well because the messiness complements his naturally wavy hair.

Wavy hair looks great short or long, but short styles tend to accentuate the waviness a little more since it’s concentrated at the top of the head.

And of course, wavy hair looks fantastic with facial hair, though you can definitely pull off a wavy style clean-shaven, too.

The Best Long Hairstyles for Older Men

Here are some stylish choices for gents who prefer longer hairstyles…

Short Quiff

Got a little more hair to play with? You might want to check out a quiff style.

First, here’s a shorter quiff:

Short Quiff
Source: @anthonythebarber91

This quiff looks super long, but it’s actually just about two inches of hair brushed straight up. So you don’t need a lot of hair to get a lot of volume.

This is a good style to choose if you want a more youthful look that still has an air of sophistication.

The side part is a nice touch that adds a gentlemanly flair, making this haircut ideal for both casual and formal environments.

Layered Quiff with Fade

If you want an even longer look, try out a layered quiff like this one:

Layered Quiff with Fade
Source: @anthonythebarber91

This quiff is foundationally the same as the last one, but this one is a little taller and brushes the hair straight up instead of to the side.

The crisp drop fade, where the hair drops off from long to short, also makes this style stand out. It creates a ton of contrast and really makes the quiff pop.

This quiff will work with any hair color or type, but it works best with thicker or coarser hair.

And if you have salt and pepper hair or if you’re just starting to go grey, you’ll love how this quiff highlights your hair.

Fringe

If you’re looking for a style that’s a little longer, you can always go with a fringe style.

Fringe
Source: Android Central

There are countless ways to style a fringe. Shown here is a bowl cut type approach where the fringe is cut evenly at eyebrow level. The hair is kept short in the back for a super clean look.

Fringe haircuts generally look more youthful, so if that’s the style you’re going for, a fringe cut won’t let you down.

You can also go with a messier fringe if you prefer a more laid-back vibe.

Fringe with beard
Source: Schwarzkopf

This style is a little longer, which makes the hair and beard connect seamlessly. If you have a well-oiled beard, this is a solid choice.

All in all, we recommend the fringe cut if you’re looking at long hairstyles for older men but still want a bit of a spry, boyish appearance.

Final Thoughts

There you go––our handpicked list of the best haircuts for older men. Is one of these going to be your next style? Tell us in the comments!

Grooming men's hairstyles, older men's hairstyles

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About Ian Chandler

Ian Chandler is a freelance writer with a penchant for men's hair and style (and hairstyle). He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, reading, playing music, and overthinking.

Background: Ian Chandler is a copywriter and writing instructor from Kent, OH. He’s been writing professionally for 9 years and specializes in business, marketing, and men’s fashion. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University.

Expertise: Ian is the cofounder of Writing Launch, an online training platform for freelance writers. As Head Instructor, he has helped thousands of new freelancers from around the world find success and grow their careers.

Ian's book The No B.S. Guide to Freelance Writing was published in 2016. His work can be found in The Penny Hoarder, The Telegraph, SitePoint, Social Media Explorer and more.

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    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. John Nicholson says

    September 15, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    These hair styles look fantastic but not everyone looks like the models Been growing out my hair for nearly a year now. I quite like it my daughters hate it and nag about getting it cut short again Undecided what way to go 🤔

    Reply
  2. David Williams says

    March 29, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    I’m lucky in the fact that I’m 57, have a full head of hair, only 5-6% gray and I wear it down to my shoulders. I’m not knocking anyone but if I had male pattern baldness, I’d keep my hair cropped short. I see guys with comb-overs and I just cringe. I want to ask, WHY?
    Go with it short and cropped. Wear a two to three-day growth on your face. That looks more masculine than the comb-over and clean shaven.
    To each their own but if you don’t have a babe or any prospects, you’ll do better to look more Viking than priest. Just sayin’.

    Reply
  3. Roman says

    March 29, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    Another awesome article Brock. Your well researched articles are very useful to read in these lockdown times. The article on men’s hairstyles has been very helpful, thanks. I cannot help thinking ‘some’ of these men are wearing a wig/hairweave. Perhaps a future article on this subject, recommending companies that do well in servicing these, so that men interested know where to go with confidence. Again, thanks.

    Reply
  4. Sharon Barresi Duncan says

    March 29, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    I’m guessing these men are in their 50’s or younger, no longer older men.

    Reply

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