Ivy League haircuts are always a go-to choice for men of all ages, thanks to their timeless style and versatility. With options for various face shapes and hair types, they’re popular among college students and office workers alike.
These cuts are easy to manage, which is another reason for their popularity. Most of the time they don’t need any hair cosmetics or special brushing.
If you’re looking for a classic look that has enough length to part your hair on the top, then it’s time to consider the ivy league haircut. It’s a good idea to show your barber the style that you want and ask for more length on the top with a little additional length on the sides and back.
Have it tapered gradually towards your crown and make sure that your barber adds some texture. This ensures that your hair is easy to style and helps add a little personality to this cut.
what is An Ivy league haircut?
The Ivy League haircut features a tapered, closely cropped back and sides with a longer top that is usually styled with a side part. The length on top varies from 1 to 3 inches. This gives hair the volume and texture at the top. An ivy league haircut is suitable for straight, wavy, and moderately curly hair.
What Does An Ivy League Haircut Look Like?
- Neatly trimmed short sides and back, often tapered or faded
- A slightly longer top, offering styling options
- A defined side part for a classic, polished appearance
- Gradual transition from longer to shorter hair, blending the top and sides seamlessly
- Combed, brushed, or styled top using hair products for sleek or textured looks
- A clean, professional, and timeless overall style
Most Popular Ivy League Haircuts
1. Classic Ivy League
If you’re a fan of timeless and polished looks, this one’s for you! With its short sides, neat back, and slightly longer top, it suits all kinds of face shapes and hair types. Go ahead, rock a side part or brush it up for a versatile vibe.
2. Long Ivy League
Want a modern spin on the classic Ivy League? Keep the top longer for some extra styling options like a cool pompadour or a textured quiff. Perfect for guys who want to make a statement while still looking sharp.
3. Medium-Length Ivy League
Can’t decide between classic and contemporary? No problem! This version has a moderately longer top, so you can play with light waves or messy textures. It’s all about versatility and fun with this one.
4. Curly Crop with Tapered Sides
Curly-haired guys, this one’s for you! Show off your natural curls with this take on the traditional Ivy League. The slightly longer top keeps things tidy and well-groomed, letting your curls shine in style.
5. Short Side Part with a High Skin Fade
Get the best of both worlds with this military-inspired Ivy League haircut. Tighter fades or shorter sides make for a disciplined look that’s easy to style. Perfect for no-nonsense guys who want to look sharp without fuss.
6. Low-Fade Comb-Over
Looking to amp up your style game? Pair the classic Ivy League haircut with a well-groomed beard for a distinguished and masculine look. Trust us, you’ll make a strong impression.
7. Blonde Side Sweep with Short Tapered Sides
Got a natural widow’s peak? Embrace it with this tailored Ivy League style. It works with your hair’s growth pattern for a balanced look that highlights your unique features. Flaunt it with confidence!
8. Short Textured Side Sweep with Faded Sides
No worries if you have a receding hairline! This Ivy League variation has got you covered. Keep the top slightly longer and go for a strategic side part or brush-up. You’ll look refined and stylish in no time.
9. Ivy League with Soft Front Volume
Channel your inner James Bond with this Hollywood-inspired style. With textured, longer hair on top, you’ll be exuding confidence and sophistication like Daniel Craig himself.
Low-Maintenance Ivy League Haircuts for Men
The classical Ivy League haircut is a variation of crew cuts. The accent of this style is on the top hair, which is long enough to make a side part. This hairstyle can be created with bangs of different lengths. It is also sometimes called a Harvard clip or a Princeton cut. All the names clearly point to a clean-cut style, which is perfect for just any occasion.
We have prepared a list of the different Ivy League haircuts to check out. Consider your face type and the amount of time you are ready to spend on styling. Once these parameters are set, you can easily choose the style to suit you best.
10. Textured Ivy League
This short textured cut has a compact tapered outline and a top brushed diagonally to one side. It can suit thicker hair that holds some shape on its own; use a small amount of styling product if you need more control. A more defined side part or a looser, tousled finish can change how the same tapered cut looks.
11. Blonde Ivy League
Men with blond hair can go for this stylish blond Ivy League hairstyle, which requires almost no maintenance. The shortly trimmed sides look shaved due to their light color and the top textured part creates a great neat look. You can also check these handsome short haircuts & hairstyles for boys here.
12. Short Spikes
If you are ready to deal with some hair gel, go for short spikes. This variation of Ivy League haircut is a little outrageous. However, it still looks fantastic. Instead of making an obvious part, spike the hair a little with your fingers. Keep the spikes low for a compact outline, or lift the front slightly for a small quiff.
13. Silver Side-Parted Crop
Ivy League haircut might seem a little strange for men with widow’s peaks. However, the problem area can be easily covered with correctly shaped bangs. Allow some of the bangs to cover the peak and then style it sideways.
14. Salt-and-Pepper Side Part with Tapered Sides
Classical Ivy League cuts are often worn by older movie stars. The classical Princeton cut means tapered sides, outlined side part and side swept hair on top. Take a good look at this photo. The classics are always in style.
15. Choppy Top with Side-Swept Bangs
Don’t like the classics? Go for the long and messy look. Achieving this style is pretty easy. All you need to do is grow the hair long enough to make a cute mess on top. Styling it will be quite simple with the help of hair gel, fingers and imagination.
16. Tapered Ivy League with Short Sides
Bordering on a military cut , this style can still be accepted in colleges and offices. The main advantage is low-maintenance. The clean-cut look is achieved by leaving the top part neat and outlined. The compact top of this tapered cut has a small front lift and a textured surface above the closely tapered sides.
17. Tousled Curls with Side-Swept Bangs
Long curls are not an obstacle to an Ivy League style if you keep the hair neat. Make an outlined part and sweep the bangs to the side. But remember, the longer the hair, the farther away you are from the neat and sleek look.
18. Tapered Crew Cut
This is another great style for lucky owners of widow’s peak. Wide widow’s peak solves the problem with making a part. There are actually two outlined parts ready for your use. Cut the hair short to make the peak visible and the neat style is ready. On this crew cut, the short top follows the peak of the hairline, and the closely trimmed sides leave the temples visible.
19. Slicked-Back Hair
If you are friends with hair gel, you can go for the sleek Ivy League look. Brush your bangs sideways to create the Ivy League cut and use the gel to keep it in place. A narrow part gives the slick back a clear direction, separating the broad front sweep from the shorter hair above the ear. This style is great for any hair type, including unmanageable curls.
20. Channing Tatum Hairstyle
Actors on red carpets and fashion events have consistently sported the ‘I just got out of bed’ look. This haircut has this brooding sexiness that follows with it. This short messy textured look is ideal for someone who is constantly on the go. All you are required to do is scrunch your hair and head out of the door.
21. Casual Crop
If you indulge in convenient and versatile haircuts, this one’s the right style. You could sport this haircut anywhere and fit right in with any crowd. This Ivy League haircut is perfect for casual and day-to-day wear as well. The advantage of this short crop is that you are assured nothing can go wrong.
22. Wavy Front Cut
If you are blessed with wavy hair, this look can be very appealing on you. Cutting your hair, as represented in the picture, will allow you to embrace your waves subtly. The wavy texture in the front adds dimension to the taper fades at the side. This clean, chic, and attractive look will suit you and look good at any event.
23. Tousled Ivy League Hair
Contrast to the completely sleek hairstyle, yet equally sexy. This Ivy League haircut is right in between extreme messy and extreme sleek, which is what makes it appealing. If you are into something in between, this is perfect. You can sport this style irrespective of your hair texture.
24. Closely Cropped Crew Cut with Short Spikes
This Ivy League cut is perfect for someone who isn’t into hair maintenance and styling. Compared with a close burr cut, the longer top here leaves room for small spikes and a more defined front. This cut requires absolutely no work and even so looks amazing. You could put absolutely no effort and still fool people into thinking that you did. Perfect for all occasions and all hair textures, this crew cut hairstyle has everything going for it.
25. High-Top Fade with a Part
You must have come across countless high fade haircuts. The advantage of a high fade is that it shapes the structure of your face. Additionally, it looks fresh and clean. Pair it with a gelled spikey front, and you have a sexy appealing haircut.
26. Combed-Down Ivy League with Side Fringe
This Princeton haircut has the perfect look of a gentleman and appeals to it. Nothing could be more apt for a formal occasion than this hairstyle. The best part is that you could sport this irrespective of your hair texture. If you have thin hair, this haircut is more suited for you.
27. Messy Haircut with a Skin Fade
This haircut is another style that falls under the bed head look. The tousled, messy hair on top complements the side skin fade accurately. This haircut is perfect for a chic fashion statement. You could wear this haircut anywhere and look hot and sexy.
28. Curly Top with a High Fade
Just because you have curly hair doesn’t mean that you can’t be a part of the top fade trend! Contrary, you might even be able to pull it off in a much sexier way. The curls at the crown add more oomph and uniqueness to the cut. While the high fade cuts look preppy and chic. This versatile haircut can be worn everywhere.
29. Textured Crop with Short Side Bangs
If you don’t mind hair on your forehead, this short side bangs hairstyle is a great option. This cut is preppy, chic and sexy all at the same time. You could sport it at any occasion and look hot as well as elegant.
30. Textured Crop with Curved Side Bangs
This haircut is another variation in the side sweep category. It is perfect for all occasions, and the best part is that you could never go wrong with it. This haircut has dimension and character, making it look sexy and chic.
31. Short and Smooth Locks
This haircut is perfect for men who have smooth hair and a receding hairline. If you want to embrace both these characteristics and look hot, this cut is what you should get next. You could sport it anywhere and look hot and fashionable.
Top Ivy League Haircut
32. Sleek Side Sweep with a High Skin Fade
For a fresh take on this side swept undercut, try wearing the bangs just a little bit longer and then pushing them off to the side. Keeping the sides of the hair really short, almost to the scalp, adds interest to the hair on the top of your head and prevents this style from becoming boring or commonplace.
Ivy League Haircuts for Military
33. Textured Brush-Back with a Low Fade
A shorter cut that is well maintained and features plenty of fading has the appearance of a high and tight haircut without being as harsh around the face. This is a great option for men in the military who want to look professional and keep their hair out of the way, but prefer a little more length and movement.
34. Hard-Part High and Tight
You can embrace the clean sides of a high and tight and still enjoy longer hair on top with this adaptation of the Ivy League haircut. The hard lines on the side allow men to easily style this look in a hurry and to embrace the juxtaposition of short and long hair.
35. Short Side-Parted Cut with a Soft Taper
A no-nonsense cut is great for any man in the military and allows them to quickly get out the door in the morning. The soft and gentle fade on the sides of the head will grow out and still look great, which means that this cut doesn’t need to be trimmed quite as much as some other cuts do.
Messy Ivy League Haircut
36. Natural and Full
A natural and full style looks great when used on thicker hair. Thick hair doesn’t require nearly as much product to look great, which is why men who have naturally thick hair will want to consider this Ivy League haircut. It looks fresh and cared for without requiring too much effort.
Ivy League Haircuts for Curly Hair
37. Kept Close to the Head
Keeping curls closer to the head prevents them from appearing too long or out of control. This is a great choice for any man who has very tight curls and doesn’t want them to have a lot of length. Opt for very short sides on the head to help really tie this look together.
38. Coiled Top with a Curved Hard Part
A full upright coiled top contrasts with closely faded sides and a curved shaved part. Keep the top’s visible volume if you prefer this shape, and choose a styling routine that gives the hold and definition you want.
39. Sculpted Waves with a Hard-Part Fade
Longer curls can be slicked into place on the head, which adds both volume and movement to the style, but doesn’t allow the curls to look out of control. The shorter sides and hard edges separate the short from the long, making it easy to style and impressive.
Ivy League Haircuts for Receding Hairline
40. Textured Crop with V-Shaped Bangs
Bringing shorter bangs forward in a point helps detract from a receding hairline without being obvious. This is a great look for any man who has very short sides and a little more length on top, and looks especially great on younger men.
Why is it called the Ivy League haircut?
It’s quite similar to a crew cut, but with a little twist – there’s just enough length on top for a stylish side part. Now, if you’re wondering where it got its name, it comes straight from those prestigious Ivy League universities!
This haircut is called ‘Ivy League haircut’ because of its association with the prestigious Ivy League universities in the United States. These universities (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell) are known for their high academic standards, long-standing traditions, and elite status.
During the mid-20th century, the Ivy League haircut gained popularity among the students attending these institutions. The haircut is characterized by short, neatly-trimmed hair on the sides and back, with a slightly longer top that can be parted or styled. Ivy League haircut’s clean look was seen as a reflection of the discipline, professionalism, and academic excellence associated with these universities.
The name “Ivy League haircut” has stuck over the years. It’s still popular for its clean low-maintenance look. You can use these haircuts on both professional and casual occasions.
How to Ask for An Ivy League Haircut?
When you visit your barber or stylist and want to get an Ivy League haircut, it’s essential to communicate your preferences clearly. Here are some tips on how to ask for this particular style:
- Mention clearly that you want an Ivy League haircut. They might also recognize it as a Princeton or Harvard clip.
- Photo: To ensure you’re on the same page, it’s always a good idea to bring a reference photo of the Ivy League haircut you want. This helps your barber get a clear visual understanding of your desired style and can eliminate any potential miscommunication.
- Specify the hair length: Discuss the preferred length for the sides and back, as well as the top. For the sides and back, you may want a tapered look using a clipper guard size of #3 or #4. For the top, lengths typically range from 1 to 3 inches, depending on how much volume and texture you’d like.
- Side part: Let your barber know if you want a defined side part or a more casual, less noticeable parting. Also, mention which side you’d like the part to be on, if you have a preference.
- Styling preferences: Every man wants to create his own look. So, if you want to customize the ivy league to your personal preference or want to use any specific hair products, talk to your barber.
How to Style an Ivy League Haircut?
Styling an Ivy League haircut is pretty easy and straightforward. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you style it:
- Begin by washing and conditioning your hair to ensure it is clean and manageable.
- Comb the hair to remove any tangles or knots.
- Using clippers with an appropriate guard size (usually a #3 or #4), begin tapering the hair on the sides and back. The hair should be shorter at the bottom and gradually increase in length as you move upwards.
- Carefully blend the hair between the top and sides to create a seamless transition.
- For the top, trim the hair to the desired length using scissors, ensuring that it is long enough to be styled with a side part.
- Find your natural parting line, which is usually on one side of your head. Use a comb to define the part, separating the hair on either side of the parting line.
- Use a small amount of styling product, such as pomade or hair cream, to provide hold and control while maintaining a natural, matte finish.
- Finish by combing the hair into place, making sure the part is maintained and the hair lies flat and smooth.
- If you want a bit more volume on top, use your fingers or a comb to lift the hair at the roots, creating a slight lift or quiff.
- To finish up and ensure your style stays in place throughout the day, you can use a lightweight hairspray. Just remember to hold the spray at least 12 inches away from your head and apply it evenly.
And that’s it! Your Ivy League haircut is now ready to impress! The great thing about this haircut is that it’s low-maintenance and works well in both casual and formal settings.
ivy league haircut lengths
To achieve an Ivy League haircut, you should consider the following hair lengths:
Sides and back: Hair should be short, generally between 1/8 inch (3mm) and 1/2 inch (13mm). A taper or fade can be added for a more gradual transition.
Top: The length on top should be longer than the sides and back, typically around 1 to 3 inches (25mm to 75mm). This allows for various styling options, including a side part or a brushed-up look.
ivy League haircut vs. crew cut
iStock.com/Drazen Lovric
Both haircuts are short, low-maintenance styles with subtle differences in length and styling. The Ivy League haircut offers more versatility, while the crew cut is simpler and more uniform.
| Feature | Ivy League Haircut | Crew Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Sides and back length | Short (1/8 to 1/2 inch) | Very short (1/8 inch or shorter) |
| Top length | Longer (1 to 3 inches) | Short (1/4 to 1 inch) |
| Side part | Often present | Usually absent |
| Styling options | More versatile | Limited |
| Transition | Tapered or blended | Uniform or slightly tapered |
| Overall appearance | Classic, polished | Military, sporty |
Ivy League Haircuts with Glasses
No matter what type of hair you have, if you have glasses, or if you need a shorter military cut, you can easily find an ivy league that will work for you. There are many reasons why an ivy league haircut is so popular, and one is that it looks great on most men daring enough to pull it off.
Now that you know what the most popular Ivy League haircuts look like, you are ready to make the right choice. Most of them are great for any hair type. However, some need careful consideration. In any case, all of them are very stylish and each can become a great choice of style for any man.
Related Cuts with More Height or Length
For a stronger change from a compact Ivy League, consider a pompadour, flat top, mohawk fade or long undercut. These put more emphasis on height, a defined top shape or an overhanging length; an asymmetric top is another option.
Shaggy Cut: A Longer Alternative
Not all Ivy League hairstyles have the same silhouette. In this modern era, you can do messy and clean all in one look. Falling toward the forehead, the longest tips of this shaggy cut overlap shorter layers that lift behind them. Easy to sport and quick to style, it suits guys who want polish without stiffness.
