The undercut haircut, characterized by its distinctive shorter sides and longer top, is a versatile and popular choice in men’s hairstyling. It is a marker of innovation and style, with each variation reflecting the hairstyle’s adaptability and fashion-forward nature.
From the bold bowl cut undercut to the refined slick back undercut, these styles exude personality, an embodiment of individuality, and a statement of style. They bridge the classic charm of yesteryears and today’s bold, modern aesthetics.
Popular Undercut Haircut Styles for Men
The diversity inherent in each undercut is apparent. The comb over undercut, for instance, embodies sophistication, blending the elegance of a bygone era with contemporary sharpness.
Each style featured, from the curly undercut to the mohawk undercut, is a unique expression of taste.
Afro Undercut
The afro undercut is an edgy take on the classic afro hairstyle, blending the voluminous curls characteristic of an afro with the clean lines of an undercut. In this look, the hair is left longer and full on top to emphasize its natural texture and shape, while the sides are closely trimmed or shaved to create a stylish contrast.
Bowl Cut Undercut
The bowl cut undercut is a unique fusion of retro and modern styles, featuring a distinctive straight-cut fringe and crown that resembles a bowl shape combined with sharply trimmed back and sides. This men’s undercut offers an unconventional take on the style, with its defined shape and separation between the longer hair on top and the undercut below.
Undercut Fade
The undercut fade delivers contrast between the longer top and sides faded down to the skin. This style keeps the upper section short enough for easy styling; whether brushed up, forward, or textured, while the fade makes the transition nearly invisible.
Undercut Comb Over
The undercut comb over is a blend of classic and modern, where the elegance of a comb over meets the distinctiveness of an undercut. This style features shaved sides that underscore the length on top, combed over smoothly.
Short Undercut
The short undercut for men keeps the hair on top cropped while the sides and back are faded high and tight. This approach strips the undercut down to its essentials.
The look works especially well for straight or slightly wavy hair, making daily styling quick and straightforward.
Curly Undercut
The curly undercut brings a playful dynamic to the classic undercut style. Keeping the sides trimmed allows the natural curls on top to become the focal point of the look. These men’s undercut hairstyles celebrate the texture and volume curls provide, creating an attractive contrast with the simpler sides.
High Fade Undercut
The high fade undercut stands out for its bold contrast. The sides and back are faded close to the skin, starting high above the temples, while the top keeps a short, textured layer.
This cut carves a strong, clean shape that flatters most face shapes and keeps styling simple.
Curtain Undercut
The curtain undercut channels the spirit of a 90s haircut for men, reviving that era’s laid-back cool with a sharper look. It’s defined by a longer top that parts down the center, resembling curtains.
Closely cropped sides refine the shape, drawing the eye to the volume at the crown. The contrast between the soft, curtain-like top and the tight sides creates a head-turning silhouette. The result is a curtain haircut that transforms a familiar form into a modern undercut hairstyle.
Disconnected Undercut
The disconnected undercut is characterized by a stark contrast between the short or shaved sides and the long hair on top, without a gradual fade connecting them. This bold statement is versatile and can be slicked back, side-parted, or left to fall naturally for a cool look.
Hard Part Undercut
The hard part undercut is a sharp style incorporating a precise razor line to trace the transition from the top to the shaved sides. It’s a bold variation that adds a geometric dimension to the cut, often paired with a voluminous, styled top.
The hard line emphasizes the dramatic contrast between the lengths, making it a popular choice for those who favor an assertive look.
Man Bun Undercut
The man bun undercut is a fusion of two contemporary hairstyles, combining the undercut’s edginess and the man bun’s nonchalance. This style contrasts the shaved sides and back with the length gathered into a bun.
Mohawk Undercut
The mohawk undercut combines the mohawk’s rebellious spirit with the undercut’s crispness. This hairstyle features shaved sides ascending to a strip of longer, often spiked or tousled hair that runs from the forehead to the nape, reminiscent of the mohawk’s iconic style.
Mullet Undercut
The mullet undercut is a contemporary rendition of the iconic hairstyle that dominated past decades. It maintains the classic mullet philosophy of longer hair at the back while the sides are closely shaved to give it a fresh edge.
This style encapsulates a dual-natured approach. It’s sleek at the front, transitioning to an uninhibited flow at the back.
Pompadour Undercut
The pompadour undercut revives a classic with a contemporary edge. This style features the voluminous top of the pompadour paired with the clean, undercut sides.
The hair is swept upwards and back, creating a commanding look favored by icons over the decades. Ideal for individuals with thicker hair, this cut requires some styling effort to maintain its signature lift but pays off with a striking profile.
Middle Part Undercut
The middle part undercut stands out for its center parting, paired with short, tapered sides. The hair on top keeps medium length, parted down the middle and styled to sweep away from the face.
This cut works especially well for straight hair, giving the top structure and letting the undercut provide a clean finish.
Long Hair Undercut
The long hair undercut combines substantial length up top with tightly buzzed or faded sides, putting all the focus on the hair’s volume and texture. This style works especially well with curls or waves, letting the top grow wild while the undercut provides sharp definition around the ears and neckline.
Whether left loose, tied back, or swept to one side, this cut delivers strong visual impact.
Side Swept Undercut
The side swept undercut is a modern variation combining voluminous hair on top, swept to one side, and clean, closely shaved sides. This style can be adapted to suit various hair types and lengths, though it particularly shines with a bit of length to allow for the side-swept look.
Slick Back Undercut
The slick back undercut remains a defining choice in men’s hairstyling, delivering a sharp look rooted in contrast. As a standout slick back hairstyle, it features a clear break between the closely shaved sides and the fuller, slicked-back top.
Undercut Low Fade
The undercut low fade blends textured length on top with short, tightly faded sides, delivering a style that draws on classic roots. The fade begins low near the ears and neck, while the top maintains enough length for natural movement or a loose, tousled finish.
This haircut works best with straight or wavy hair, as the contrast creates dimension and puts the focus on the top’s texture.
Side Part Undercut
The side part undercut pairs a defined side part with short, cropped sides. The top keeps enough length for a clean sweep, while the part creates separation.
Drawing from classic barbershop styles, this cut works best for straight or slightly wavy hair.
Spiky Undercut
The spiky undercut embraces the spirited side of undercut styles. It features trimmed sides that underscore the contrast with the spiked top, typically styled with a product to hold the hair vertically or slightly tousled for a rebellious look.
Tapered Undercut
The tapered undercut presents a modern hairstyle that transitions from shorter hair on the sides and back to a longer, fuller top. The tapering effect is less abrupt than traditional undercut hairstyles for men, offering a softer contrast while maintaining the style’s signature disconnected look.
Medium Messy Undercut
The medium messy undercut delivers texture and volume on top, set against trimmed sides for contrast. This cut keeps enough length up top for a relaxed, tousled finish, working especially well with naturally wavy or thick hair.
The medium messy undercut offers a sense of freedom. It’s easily styled by hand or left to fall naturally.
Textured Crop Undercut
The textured crop undercut combines a cropped top with textured layers and a neat undercut. This hairstyle is characterized by its short, forward-styled fringe and choppy layers that add volume and movement.
The undercut provides a sharp contrast to the textured top, creating a youthful look.
Medium Hair Undercut
A medium hair undercut builds on the contrast between longer locks up top and cropped sides. This medium men’s undercut leaves the top long enough to part, tuck behind the ear, or wear loosely.
Straight and wavy textures both suit this cut, letting the longer top create shape while the undercut keeps the outline sharp.
Textured Undercut
The textured undercut is a modern twist on the classic style that marries the clean lines of a traditional undercut with the rugged charm of layered, textured hair on top. The short sides emphasize the volume and movement of the longer, tousled top, making it a strong choice for those looking to add a dynamic edge to their aesthetic.
Messy Slicked Back Undercut
The messy slicked back undercut combines short sides with longer hair on top styled back in a loose, textured sweep. Unlike the traditional slick back, this look leaves room for an easy, lived-in finish.
The style draws on old Hollywood confidence but updates it with a relaxed spirit. Suitable for straight or wavy hair, the messy slick back undercut adapts to day or night with minimal effort.
Twisted Locs Undercut
The twisted locs undercut combines the edgy look of an undercut with the cultural richness of twisted locs. The hair is sectioned and twisted into locs that stand out for their texture and form.
The sides are cut very short, creating a contrast that highlights the intricacy of the locs on top.
Undercut Designs
Undercut designs take the classic undercut to another level by adding bold patterns, lines, or shapes shaved into the faded section. This look is often called a hair tattoo or design fade undercut.
These creative touches transform the fade into a canvas, ranging from clean geometric lines to elaborate motifs. Undercut designs stand out in barbershop culture and on social media, celebrated for their artistry.
The Undercut: Tradition & Modernity
Undercut hairstyles channel individuality and a spirit of experimentation. From the graphic edge of a mohawk undercut to the ease of a comb over or the attitude of a man bun, these cuts adapt to personal taste and lifestyle.
Mixing textures and varying the length on top opens up new ways to wear the undercut for guys. Ultimately, an undercut works best when it feels like a natural extension of how you want to present yourself.
