Picture Grace Jones in her iconic flat-top haircut with a cigarette sticking out from the corner of her lips and her ebony skin shining. That image remains evergreen in our repertoire of fire looks from the past, and the reason isn’t far-fetched. Besides her unparalleled personality and striking skin tone, her haircut was the icing on the cake.
The flattop is one statement haircut that still lets your face take the attention. It’s sophisticated and masculine, with precise lines that exude boldness and charisma. This timeless hairdo has served through different eras. It originated in the 1950s, reemerged in the 80s, and now it’s one of the most sought-after haircuts for minimalist yet edgy modern men.
If that’s you, stay with me on this page as we explore different flattop haircuts that will elevate your look.
What is a Flat Top Haircut?
A flat top is a men’s haircut featuring upright hair on top and shaved or tapered sides that create a boxy-shaped top. It involves cutting or styling the hair to look flat and level at the top of the head.
Since your barber cuts short the back and sides of your hair to achieve this look, flat tops help to narrow and elongate the shape of the face. So, if you have a round face, this cut may be your best bet.
Kim Jong Un is a classic example. Even though his signature flat-top haircut hasn’t entirely narrowed his face, the impact is still evident.
That aside, this hairstyle was created for the military. Its shaved back and sides offered the functionality of a buzz cut with a twist—the flat patch of hair on top. This defied the stereotype that the military only wore a fully shaved head.
Up until this moment, the name evokes an image of the 1950s US military officers, thus giving the hairstyle a bad rap. Nonetheless, with some modern tweaks, you can still look attractive in this cut, bearing the debonair look of a 2020s man.
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How To Style This Haircut
To achieve this cut, your barber styles your hair upright and then cuts it flat from back to front before rounding over the crown at the back of the head. But after getting the cut, styling is key.
Like any hairdo, working with high-quality products is the secret to styling this haircut for a badass look. They ensure you achieve your desired style while protecting your hair from damage. This is how it works:
- Dampen your hair.
- Push your hair up with one hand and use your other hand to work your styling products into your hair.
- Comb or blow-dry your hair upward.
- Apply wax and pomades to your hair.
- Use strong-hold products if your hair is curly.
How to Look Dapper with a Flat Top Haircut
Contemporary men love this haircut because of its virile, masculine look and elegant silhouette. It’s straight to the point with little to no shenanigans. Little wonder the US military loved to don it, perhaps to express their love for serious matters.
If you’re a modern man who’d like to flaunt his machismo, make this haircut your best friend by starting with these ideas:
Define Your Top Length
Specify how long you’d like the top of your hair to be. Usually, the length ranges from three to five centimeters. But you can make yours shorter or longer depending on the look you want to achieve and how high your hair already is.
However, how high your top will look largely depends on your hair texture. For instance, if you have fine strands, don’t keep the top too long so your hair doesn’t droop because of the weight. Thick hair, on the other hand, will give more volume and structure at any length because of its coarse texture.
Wear the Classic Flat Top
This is the original flat top with no alterations. Wear this style for a classic retro look. It offers a more refined appearance with a neat trim.
Align Your Edges
After getting this iconic haircut, don’t leave the salon yet. Ensure your barber shapes out your edges by trimming the front of your head with the clipper. They should also shape the sides and back of your head for more angular definitions. This will give you a polished appearance that sets you apart.
Color Your Flat Top Haircut
Need a bold look that helps you stand out? Color your hair. Depending on hwo experimental you can be, play with any color of your choice. It can be blonde, green, purple, or a combo of black and another color. The decision lies in your hands. But ensure your chosen hair color idea is in sync with your creative side.
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Ask for a Fade
If you consider a traditional flat top too outdated, give it a modern spin by pairing it with a fade haircut. This can be a low, mid, high, or taper fade. A gradual fade from the top of the head down to the nape of the neck will make the flat top look less drastic.
Adorn Your Flat Top Haircut with Line Designs
Personalize your haircut with lines that serve as designs. They’ll give you an edgier hairdo. It can be as simple as a side parting or squares, boxes, heart shapes, triangles, or any design you’d love to see on your head. Whichever line design you go for, you’re sure to get a unique ‘do that grabs attention.
Make Your Flat Top Haircut Asymmetrical
Channel your inner daring fashionista by pulling off an asymmetrical haircut. The idea is simple: vary the length of the hair atop. You can make the front top longer than the back or vice-versa in a seamless gradient fashion. This style is an excellent way to reinvent the wheel while adding more visual interests to your look.
Combine the Flat Top with Other Hairstyles
This haircut pairs great with other iconic hairstyles. Say a mullet, crew cut, wolf cut, fringes, pompadour, quiff, etc. All you need is a skilled barber to bring your ideas to life.
Keep Other Parts Bald
How about you accentuate the top of your hair by keeping the sides and back bald? The bald fade is one variation of this haircut. It maintains the clean look of the cut while retaining the flat top as the focal point of your entire look.
Rock Your Flat Top Haircut With Pride
Here’s your cue to wear this iconic haircut and embrace your masculinity. Its clean lines, sleekness, and striking silhouette will set you apart as a man who’s never afraid to look into the past and draw timeless inspiration.
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Pick from the styles you’ve seen and show it to your barber. But if you want more, here you go:
