Men’s Short Sides and Long Top Hairstyles For Every Occasion

At the moment, when short hair and long hair are pitted against one another, it seems as though the former tends to feel more favorable in the eyes of most. After all, many find short hair more relaxing when the styling process is considered, and more masculine due to the way in which it adds to the facial features. However, long hair, too, can provide the same attributes, as long as the strands are longer on top and shorter around the sides.

The trend of wearing short sides and long top designs have been under the radar for quite some time, but found success over a couple of decades ago. The option not only allows outgrown strands to find more stability, but also look less frizzy at the same time. More often than not, wearing shorter sides tends to make the styling process easier for men with long hair.

Generally, side hairs grow faster than top hair, according to sciencenotes. Hence, this hairstyle will need less maintenance as the side hair is short.

To really discover the potential of wearing a hairstyle that stays long on top but short on the sides, it is necessary to skim through the best options they offer. And if you’ve stumbled upon this article, don’t forget to buckle up and join us on this journey.

32 Snazzy and Contemporary Short Sides and Long Top Hairstyles That Men Can Experiment With!

If you’ve been struggling to maintain your hair for quite some time now, perhaps this guide can be the ultimate solution in the short as well as long run. And if you’re not afraid to sacrifice some length to save your hair and your styling preferences, try wearing hairstyles that are short around the sides and long on top.

From pompadours to slick backs, there are various ways in which you can cave in on this trend. Don’t forget to skim through the following entries, though, especially if finding a recipe to success is your aim.

Quiffed Pompadour with Skin Fade

Starting off this list is a mix between a quiff and pompadour, which mixes the volume of a pompadour with the structure of a quiff. The visuals are quite helpful, mainly since the density and lift of this hairdo elongates the face shape, making more time for facial features.

Adding a skin fade is perhaps the best move to make when wearing this pompadour, especially when seeking versatility. The skin fade also tends to make the hair on top feel weightless.

Textured Wolf Cut with Temp Fade

If you’ve been keeping up with trends for a while, a wolf cut perhaps won’t need an introduction in your eyes. In other words, a wolf cut is one of the most sought-after designs in the modern era.

While the success behind a wolf cut solely derives from its versatility, the best design is perhaps this textured wolf cut, which feels rather incomplete without finding guidance and assistance from a temp fade.

Soft Curly Top with Shadow Fade

Growing curls is often fun once you take into account the bouncy nature and playful traits of the hairdo, but can be a double-edged sword when outgrown due to having a high maintenance routine.

To take some weight off from your shoulders, try adding a shadow fade if your curls are still transforming. It won’t just make styling easier, but also give your curls more volume and texture to showcase.

Hard Part with High Zero Fade

Having a look that works well in any setting can be ideal if you constantly work around a packed schedule and can’t afford being unpunctual. And if the previous remark hit home, try wearing a hard part.

A hard part offers tons of stability, structure, and at times, mobility. The hair is often angled towards the better side of the wearer’s face, containing tons of volume. The density of the shaft also allows high cheekbones and narrow face shapes to look leaner, especially when paired with a zero fade.

Braided Ponytail with Shape-up

Wearing braids is fun, without a doubt. However, when the duration of wearing braids is prolonged, dealing with the friction an average braid causes can be consequential for your hair health and scalp.

One of the best ways to deal with a stressful set of braids is to wear a braided ponytail. The tail often wraps unnecessary lengths and keeps the units in check without creating too much pressure. Additionally, if your hair lacks density, add a shape-up for some elevation.

Soft Angular Swoop with Blends

A swoop was one of the best hairstyles for men during the early 2010s. And while the look struggled to find recognition over the subsequent years, it made a comeback shortly after the pandemic, and has been blossoming ever since.

One of the best ways to wear a swoop is to pair it with soft visuals. To obtain it, you may either use hair mousse or hair clay. To add some natural density, enhance your hair with blends.

Natural Slick Back with Free Form Layers

The comb one uses to form a slick back really shapes the layout of the hairdo. For instance, it can be great if you curate your hair with a styling comb if you’d like your slick back to look structured and stable. However, resort to a volumizing comb if you want more fullness in the look.

Additionally, if you prefer disheveled visuals, use your fingertips to create this natural slick back, which finds more natural elevation with the free form framing layers towards the hairline.

Man Bun with Undercut

Once your hair grows in size, it tends to be impossible to avoid the awkward phases, unless specific changes are made. Additionally, if you’d like your strands to look more manageable and presentable, try looking into a man bun.

While frowned upon, a man bun can be rather helpful if you’re seeking a masculine look with a fair amount of volume and shine. If you’ve got a scruffy beard going on, add an undercut to create a high contrast look.

Frizzy Curly Top with Low Taper

Frizzy curls aren’t too bad, and can be showcased with presentability with the right design. However, if you don’t want to make changes to your curls, but adjust the components around it to highlight the visuals on top, consider wearing your curls with a low taper.

This look is a great option if all you need is a maintenance cut. The strands around the temple receive a boost in their elevation, which can make your curls look less thin and more healthy. Be sure to use sea salt spray to add to the density of your new look!

Textured Comb Over with Disconnected Undercut

A textured comb over is another professional look that you can perhaps pull off with outgrown hair. The design possesses an improbable hold, and is often regarded as a high contrast look when paired with a disconnected undercut.

The disconnection created by the undercut adds balance to the strands on top, and makes the hair easier to style. With some pomade and hairspray, the stability of this look seems more dependable than ever. If you’ve got a beard, this hairdo should be a must-try on your list.

Relaxed Mullet with Fringe Cut

Depending on your social life and work life, you can even pursue a mullet if things seem appropriate. It not only rewards wearers with unbeatable visuals, but also makes the styling process easier if you have long hair on top and need shorter pieces on each side.

One of the best ways to showcase a mullet is by pairing the cut with a fringe, which changes the shape of the face and generates a low maintenance routine. With water-based pomade, this relaxed mullet tends to survive for days.

Tousled Top with Mid Skin-fade

A tousled top is another top-notch design to reach out to you’ve got wavy hair that carries a fair amount of length. Additionally, if you want the sides to not stand out, but rather allow the top to shine and enhance your overall appearance, try experimenting with a mid-skin fade.

A mid-skin fade usually clears out the hair from the base, shortening just enough hair in the mid-section of the temple for a distinct yet natural separation. The design is also quite helpful if you’re planning to add a natural aura to your overall hairdo.

Spiral Knotless Braids with Shadow Fade

When it comes to braids, a look that remains undefeated with longer layers on top is the world of knotless braids, known for their easygoing installation process, and impressive shelf life. With a shadow fade, the visuals that knotless braids generate can be perfect for men who are currently seeking to upgrade their outgrown layers.

The stitching process follows a criss-cross system, which often adds tons of fullness to each unit on the braids. Using gel is also necessary, since it allows the strands to retain moisture and avoid repercussions like breakage.

Polished Curls with Bald Fade

Showcasing medium-length to lengthy curls is often better than shorter variations, as the strands look more defined, and eliminate signs of frizz. Additionally, as the strands keep growing, the curls look more bouncy and offer tons of freedom when it comes to styling.

A downside of wearing outgrown curls is the length around the sides and at the back, which can weigh down the strands in front due to the pounds it carries. To save yourself from that scenario, consider shaving the sides and wearing a bald fade, especially if you want the disconnection to look noticeable.

Center-pieced French Braid with High Fade

Braids come in various forms, but often require hair to be outgrown from every area. On another note, if you’d like to rock braids that only go above and beyond to make the top of your head stand out, try wearing a French braid.

To maximize success, place your French braid at the center. Use wax to supply tons of moisture and secure a solid hold. Furthermore, to introduce some elevation around the roots, transform your sides with a high fade.

Patterned Fade with Matte-based Comb Over

Making subtle changes can work wonders as long as you know what you’re signing up for. Additionally, if you’re content with the comb over you’ve got going on, but need to taper out the sides to give the hair more fullness, consider adding a fade to check that box.

Moreover, since fade haircuts are the most common designs out there, feeling average with the design on each side can be normal. But if you’d like to change that, add a fade with designs around the rear or temples of your head.

Free Form Dreads with Natural Taper

Letting your hair be is the best advice we could give if you’re planning to showcase free form dreads with your natural hair. Doing so won’t just make it easier for your hair to grow in peace without sustaining any damage, but will also reward you with a unique structure that no one will be able to replicate.

While maintaining the strands are rather easy, dealing with the weight of the locs can be tough after a couple of months have passed. And if you’re also not content with the length on the sides, try maintaining them with a natural taper.

Voluminous Mullet with Smooth Slick Back

Another variant of a mullet that contains long layers with ease is this variation, involving more structure than the one mentioned previously. The strands are free from split ends, contain polished visuals, and are later morphed into a slick back, which carries itself elegantly toward the front.

This look is a great option for any and every occasion. With a beard, the appearance of this mullet might just make the wearer more masculine and intimidating.

Two-Tone Man Bun Fade with Design

Maintaining natural hair, especially when the strands are too long to comprehend, can be a task and a half in the eyes of many. Additionally, managing such strands can feel rather heavy.

In addition to picking out your afro-textured hair, wrap your hair strands into a man bun to make life easier. Add a two-tone hair dye if you’d like to make your hair look frizz-free and healthy. You may even add a custom-made design for some distinction.

Pompadour with Side Mid Fade

Pompadour’s hairstyle spread like wildfire in the 1950s and 1960s. A lesser-known fact: They were originally women’s hairstyles, back to this stylish pompadour with side fade haircuts.

As you can see, the sides have a drop fade, and the top hair is kept long to give enough length to style them into a pompadour. This hairstyle has a clean and sleek look which makes it suitable for business meetings and formal parties.

Medium Top Knot with Hard Part

Bringing back yet another old short sides long top hairstyle is this medium-top knot. Back in time, when men still kept shoulder-length hair, this hairstyle was seen on everyone’s head. The modern-day version has a slight twist. It cuts the hair on the temple short, highlighting the long hair on the top.

The top hair is hard parted, or razor parted. This hairstyle gives a compelling look. This style does not fade on the sides, and a stubble beard goes well with it. Maintaining long tresses might take you some time and hair care products, but it is totally worth it!

Classic Ponytail with ZigZag Side

Ponytail started gaining popularity among men thanks to the rock musicians from the 1970s era. And the style is still going strong today. Men could wear a variety of ponytails, one of which had zigzag tapered sides.

It is easy to style with hair gel and then comb the top hair back into a ponytail. The slicked-back long hair on top gel also helps in creating an illusion of volume. You can also get some areas of tapered slides shaved to make patterns.

Hard Parted Messy Top Knot

This hairstyle is perfect if you want long hair, but you live in a humid and hot place. Since it is a top knot, it will keep the hair away from your neck and face you won’t get hot. It is pretty easy to style using just hair gel, a comb, and a hair tie. Apply the hair gel even through the whole length of your hair, comb it back. Then swiftly roll and wrap the long hair on top to make a bun. As simple as that.

You can also make a pony and pull it halfway through to make a messy knot. The side hair is trimmed like taper fade. This hairstyle is almost identical to the “Medium Top Knot with Hard Part” style shown above. The only difference is that the top hair is messy in this hairstyle, unlike the sleek knot.

Wavy Top with Taper Fade

If you have wavy hair, this hairstyle is perfect for you. As the name implies, this hairstyle fashion a wavy style on the top hair. The sides of the head are trimmed to have a gradual fade look. This look is perfect for college students, casual outfits since it is very fashionable and smart. If you don’t have wavy hair, you can always style them straighter (curly hair) or curler(Straight here).

French Crop Undercut

The French crop looks as elegant as it sounds. Here the fringes at the front of your hair are kept long, and the sides are undercut, either shaved or trimmed in a drop fade manner. The messiness of the french crop is its unique look point and gives a carefree and casual.

This messy look is easier to achieve if you have wavy or semi-curly hair. To sport a wet look, you can use hair wax to keep it in place. The only maintenance is cut would need is the regular trimming of the sides. You can try this side cut with faux hawk hair on top.

Voluminous Pompadour with Shaved Sides

A trendy variation of pompadour is the side shave. This hairstyle helps highlight the pompadour as the side hairs are high skin fade or shaved off. This pompadour looks good with a few hair highlights, making few strands of hair pop out. Copper highlights look good on brown hair; golden highlights suit black hair. The pompadour is a very free look, it isn’t tightly set by hair gel, so it looks good on casual clothing.

Top Long Braid with Shaved Side

Braids are perfect for taming long, like shoulder-length long hair. Long hair is also easy to tangle up. Getting rid of those knots in a whole task in itself and can be painful. This is where braids are helpful. They keep the hair from tangling while also giving a very cool look. Shaving off the hair on the side makes the braid more prominent.

This hairstyle also keeps the hair away from the face, making it easy to work. It is a very street style look and will look good with baggy clothes and suits as well.

Flat Bangs

Bangs are a good hair hack to hide your big fivehead and make your face look more symmetrical, like Thomas Shelby. Bangs also look good on elongated face shapes and make a face look more oval. But, if you like bangs and wear them with confidence, they will suits you regardless. Keeping your side hair-trimmed shorts help shape your face and highlight your cheekbones. Pairing the flat bangs with short side hair can take a little styling time and products.

Side Part Long Hair on Top

A side part is always a classic go-to with a crisp ironed shirt and pants, the perfect look when you are a 9 to 5 office worker or a businessman. As the image suggests, this is one of the common haircuts for men. You get the keep the funky side fade and style the longer hair on the top very elegantly.

Keeping a light stubble complements the hairstyle. You can also dye your hair in two shades to further accentuate the look. It is easy to manage, with the only requirement being regular trim of the sides to maintain the fade on the sides.

Blown Back

Blown back hairstyle is very sleek, thick-textured, and looks very clean. You can easily achieve this thick textured hair by blow-drying your air in the backcomb direction and setting the hair with a little hair wax—high skin fade side hair or trimming in high fade compliments the brown back long top.

You can wear this hairstyle with a casual suit, beachwear. This slicked-back hairstyle suits straight and wavy hair. If you have curly hair, you should ignore this hairstyle. Remember, the high skin fade side needs regular trimming.

Side Swept Dyed Fringe

Dyed hair, if done right, have a charm of their own. And do does the side-swept look, which has a beachy, free-spirited look to it. Pairing the side-swept with an undercut looks very stylish and is a go-to hairstyle for many teens. It is a perfect street style. While dying, make sure to choose the color according to your undertone and skin color. This short sides long top hairstyle is easy to style but will take some effort to maintain because of the long hair on top.

Undercut with Spiked Front

The undercut is a haircut that goes really well any styling you to your long hairs on the top. The undercut is also easy to maintain, and a two-week trim is all it requires. You can also grow out an undercut and then get it trimmed into a drop fade or high fade; the options are endless. Additionally, you can style the long top into a pompadour, swing, side sweep, faux hawk, spiked front, and so on. This hairstyle gives a military look and is perfect for both casual and formal events and outfits.

Frequently Asked Question

Now that you’ve made it past the main portion of the article, which would be the ways in which you can display your hair with outgrown layers on top and short strands around each side, here are some questions that can further enhance your knowledge of today’s article!

Which short sides and long top hairstyle pairs well with thin hair?

If you’re hair has qualities of fine and thinning hair, try to go for options that aren’t too harsh on your hair.

From the list above, the best option you can go for is a mullet with fringe cut, which hides signs of thinning by covering more circumference around the forehead. You may also reduce the bulk around the crown to give your hair some fullness to work with.

Are short sides, long top hairstyles still in trend?

Many often question the abilities of wearing short sides with longer strands on top due to the presence of jarring hairdos such as mullets, shags, and braids. However, what they don’t realize is that, this look is a genre that can pull off all the previously-mentioned designs without creating a fuss. When push comes to shove, shaving the sides and wearing longer lengths on top can also be great as a maintenance cut.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, the hair you rely on truly shapes your impression at any event. On another note, if you believe that your hair is becoming impossible to style these days, but doesn’t need much adjustment on top, consider reducing bulk around the sides and hop on the trend of wearing a haircut with short sides and a long top.

From wearing mullets to displaying man buns, anything is possible when you rely on this hairdo to change your life. Don’t worry if the first hairstyle looks awkward, however, as the flexibility that short sides provide to a sizable top is plentiful enough for change.