Older men can be every bit as stylish as younger guys. Need proof? Check out our list of the best haircuts for older men.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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!
These styles are overwhelming horrid! A few exceptions, but barely. Sheesh, people, Cary Grant is rolling in his grave!
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 🤔
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’.
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.
I’m guessing these men are in their 50’s or younger, no longer older men.