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10 Handsome Grey Hairstyles for Men (Young and Old)

Published on August 19, 2020 by Ian Chandler · Grooming May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

There are so many great ways to style grey hair. Here are just 10 of our favorite grey hairstyles.

Cardigan with field jacket

Whether it’s natural or dyed, grey hair exudes sophistication, elegance, and even wisdom. It’s one of the most striking hair colors for men, and there’s a lot you can do with it.

Since grey hair is lighter and more vibrant, it tends to stand out a little more than other hair colors like black or brown. So when you’re choosing a hairstyle, you want to choose one that really allows the grey to shine.

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In this article, we’ve curated 10 hairstyles that complement grey hair on both younger and older men. From simple and straightforward to unique and adventurous, we’ve got something for everyone. (As a bonus, most of these hairstyles work with white hair, too.)

We’ve broken it down into short and long styles, so if you have a certain length in mind, feel free to skip directly to the appropriate section.

Short Haircut Styles for Grey Hair (For Men)

Shorter styles tend to be a little more versatile, so if you’re looking for an all-around flexible hairstyle, this is the section for you.

#1: Short Crop

For guys who are into simple, low-maintenance hairstyles, the short crop has a lot to offer.

Grey Hair - Short Crop
Source: @Silverfox_collective

A staple among older men’s haircuts, the short crop makes for a clean and even head of hair. It works especially well with grey hair, since the noticeable color helps the crop to stand out. (Plus, if you rock a beard, a crop is a great choice.)

There’s also a lot of room to experiment with crops. You could get a full-on Caesar cut, where the hair is cut to be the same length all over, or you could get a crop with a slightly longer top for a bit of volume.

#2: Side Part

Another classic, the side part has been a go-to haircut for men for decades.

Grey Hair - Side Part
Source: @greyfoxblog

While the side part comes in many shapes and sizes, it’s characterized by a prominent part (obviously) and sides that are at least a bit shorter than the top. This means you can sport a side part style even if you like to keep your hair really short. (Of course, you could also achieve a side part with medium to long hair.)

The side part is one of the few hairstyles that looks good on any guy, so it’s no surprise that it works well with grey hair. This is especially true if your hair is on the thinner side, as the part is an easy way to add definition to your hair without needing a ton of volume.

#3: Messy Crop

If you like the overall look of a crop but want something a little more unique, a messy crop like this one might be exactly what you’re after.

Grey Hair - Messy Crop
Source: @andrewdoeshair

This is still a short style, but the messiness of the hair adds a lot of texture, which is usually harder to get with shorter hairstyles. And if you need to, you can always brush it into place for a more formal look that resembles a standard crop.

Again, you can play around with length here. Keep in mind that the longer the hair on the top is, the messier it will look, so don’t go too long unless that’s what you’re going for.

#4: Brush Up

Like the side part, the brush up is a versatile haircut that suits a range of formalities and occasions.

Grey Hair - Brush Up
Source: @christopherkorey

The brush up follows the traditional formula of “short on the sides and long on top” to accentuate the short quiff at the front of the head. The sides don’t need to be buzzed, though, so you can still grow your hair out a bit and maintain a stylish brush up.

As with the other styles mentioned in this guide, you can go shorter or longer for varying effects. For example, a taller quiff will be more noticeable but also higher maintenance.

#5: Side Part with Quiff

Since the classic side part is, well, classic, it tends to look a little more traditional. However, there are lots of ways to add stylish contemporary touches to this tried and true style. One way is to add a shorter quiff up top.

Grey Hair - Side Part with Quiff
Source: @40overfashion

You might have seen skyscraper-level quiffs on social media before, but you don’t need to get that kind of ridiculous volume to have a great hairstyle.

A neat quiff that’s just a couple of inches tall can look fantastic with well-trimmed sides. The side part helps here by clearly separating the top from the sides, which will emphasize the quiff no matter how tall it is.

#6: Brushed Back Undercut

The undercut is another old style that’s made a huge comeback in recent years. It’s one of the best younger men’s haircuts for grey hair, so if you’ve dyed your hair (or if you’ve just been blessed with grey hair earlier than most), this is an excellent option.

Grey Hair - Brushed Back Undercut
Source: @andrewdoeshair

Even a basic undercut can look great with grey hair. With an undercut, you don’t need to get flashy to have lots of style, as the haircut itself does most of the heavy lifting for you. Since the sides are so short, all the attention will go to the hair on top and thus to the prominent grey color.

This also means that if you have a grey hair fade (as shown here) from lighter to darker, the undercut will really show that off.

#7: Messy Quiff

To wrap up this section on short grey hairstyles for men, here’s a much more casual haircut that’s all about the quiff.

Grey Hair - Messy Quiff
Source: @ericrnycstyle

This isn’t going to be appropriate for formal situations, but it’s great for just about everything else. The slightly unkempt, windswept look takes an otherwise structured hairstyle and spices it up. It hits that balance of looking just messy enough while not making it look like you /actually/ just rolled out of bed.

Men’s Long Grey Hairstyles

Prefer to grow out your hair and rock longer locks? You’re in the right place. Here are a few longer hairstyles that complement grey hair.

#8: Tight Coils

If you have curly, coiled, or kinky hair, you can achieve some unique styles that you don’t often see with grey hair. One of the simplest yet most impactful is this tightly coiled look.

Grey Hair - Tight Coils
Source: @tmichael_bergen

For this type of hairstyle, all you need to do is let your hair grow out a bit so it can flaunt its natural properties. It should be long yet properly trimmed so it doesn’t look too unruly. As a result, you’ll get one-of-a-kind texture that will make the grey color stand out.

Even if your hair is looser or tighter than this, the same general rule still applies. Grow it out so that it’s long enough to show off its texture, but make sure it’s not too shaggy.

#9: Long and Flowy

This straightforward look is probably the easiest way to style longer hair. If you’re new to sporting long hair or if you want a more manageable style, this wavy cut needs to be on your radar.

Grey Hair - Long and Flowy
Source: @beardsofacertainage

As long hairstyles go, this is pretty simple. It’s essentially just long hair brushed into place. The top is combed back into waves, and the sides are also grown out for more fullness.

Longer hairstyles tend to pair well with beards, and this one is no exception. A well-trimmed, well-oiled beard can make longer haircuts look neater, and it also provides balance. Whether you go clean-shaven or beard-toting, this flowing hairstyle is worth a look.

#10: Shoulder Length Locks

If you want to channel Zeus with your next hairstyle, then this one’s for you. This luscious length isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’ll have you looking like the trendiest warrior this side of Mount Olympus.

Grey Hair - Shoulder Length Locks
Source: @berzinsky

Here, the hair goes all the way down past the shoulders, but it still looks controlled thanks to the hair’s natural waves (and, of course, brushing the hair helps, too). The sheer length of the hair really highlights the naturally alternating salt-and-pepper streaks.

Conclusion

Going grey––whether naturally or with dye––opens up a world of styling possibilities. Hopefully you’ve found a style or two on this list that caught your eye, and maybe you’ll even consider getting one of these the next time you see your stylist.

What’s your favorite style on this list? Did I miss any men’s grey hairstyles that you love? Feel free to comment below!

Grooming grey hair, hair, 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, SitePoint, Social Media Explorer and more.

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  1. Matt O’Neill says

    June 18, 2022 at 7:42 pm

    Very helpful article, but a little advice please:
    I’m 46, salt and pepper hair with permanent salt and pepper stubble. I live on the South Coast on a houseboat and am always in or on the water as I’m a an instructor and lifeguard, or I’m out rock climbing or classic car racing.
    Short hair has always served me well for my lifestyle. However, I do have the sides at the top receding, leaving a fair bit at the front.
    My barber insists on shaving the hair to 0.5 side and back, and long on top….but I’m not sure that’s really the look I need. I think I might be going to the wrong barber.
    I like the 1st and 4th designs on here (short crop and brush up) and just wondered your thoughts please, taking into consideration the receding I have and the lifestyle I lead.
    Being an ageing bachelor and dealing with the public, I like to look good, but also need a no nonsense hairstyle that will be manageable getting wet a few times a day.
    Thanks, in advance for all help and advice.
    ……who knew grey could be so versatile and great looking ( having seen these great pics I must buy a sports jacket too!!)
    Matt

    Reply
  2. Eduard says

    February 18, 2021 at 8:42 am

    Very well written article. Helpful for me at 75 and tired of my old look since high school. Thanks. Eduard

    Reply
  3. Mark says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    Nice article!

    Thanks for the ideas. I really wanted to try out this hair color but I am a little bit afraid to die my hair. But I guess I just have to take care of it after it has been treated.

    Stay cool and healthy!

    Cheers!

    Reply
  4. Roman says

    August 20, 2020 at 4:51 am

    Thank you, another great article
    After going through the photos of these men with (great) hair, I feel more envious of them now
    I have 1 word left to say
    Sigh…..
    Roman

    Reply

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