For your next haircut, do you want a ‘high and tight‘ hairstyle or would you prefer a ‘crew cut‘? It is better to understand the terms before you head to the barbershop so that you will know what you are talking about when you get there. Our guide will help you to understand the differences between a Crew Cut and a High and Tight hairstyle for men.
Difference Between High & Tight Vs Crew Cut
So how you will be able to differentiate between these two very similar, but not the same haircuts? Below are the 6 distinctive points between high and tight vs crew cuts so that you can identify it instantly.
#1: Length
High and Tight
A high and tight style is one that has been clipped short all of the way around the back and the sides of the head. However, the hair on the top of the head is normally left longer. The length of the hair on the top of the head is normally one or two clipper guards longer than the length that the hair is cut along the sides and around the back.
Crew Cut
With a Crew Cut hairstyle, the length of the hair is tapered at the sides and the back of the head. The hair on the top of the head is neatly clipped or trimmed so that the hair at the front is slightly longer than the hair which is closest to the crown.
#2: Origin
High and Tight
The High and Tight cut is a classic style which has been used by the US military for a long time. This look was chosen by the military to help to ensure that all men looked the same and felt part of a unit. Short style like this help men to keep cool when they are in hot environments and prevent the hairstyle from becoming a distraction when they are in dangerous combat scenarios.
Crew Cut
Crew cut hairstyles for men are different from High and Tight hairstyles in their origin. Unlike the High and Tight, the Crew Cut actually originated with 19th-century university rowing crews, who adopted the style to keep hair out of their eyes while racing. Because of its practical, low-maintenance nature, it was later adopted by the military during World War II.
#3: Face Shape
Both haircuts suit different face shapes.
High and Tight Cut
A high and tight beautifully complements thinner, angular, or square faces by highlighting sharp jawlines, while the volume on top can also help balance a wider forehead.
Those with round faces actually benefit from the high and tight style, as the closely shaved sides remove bulk and the height on top visually elongates the face.
Crew Cut
The crew cut suits those with a similar face shape as the high and tight cut. Because a crew cut leaves the hair slightly longer at the front hairline, it can actually be a great option for wider foreheads, as the front fringe can be textured or pushed forward to soften the hairline.
#4: Fade
One of the biggest differences between the high and tight and crew cuts is the fade.
High and Tight Cut
The high and tight cut requires a fade to create that signature bold contrast between the back and sides of the head and the top. The sides are typically shaved down to the skin, creating a stark but tightly blended, gradual fade high up on the head.
Crew Cut
Crew cuts generally utilize a slight fade or tapering that blends smoothly into the top. Unlike the high and tight, which relies on stark contrast and a disconnected top, the crew cut is all about a seamless, graduated transition
#5: Variations
High and Tight Cuts
The major variations that can be seen with High and Tight cuts are the variations in the thickness of the long hair on top of the head. Some men with high and tight haircuts will leave the hair on top slightly longer so it can be styled up or pushed forward to create a textured look.
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Crew Cuts
US Crew Cuts and European Crew Cuts are slightly different from one another. In European variations, the hair on top may be kept at a much shorter, more uniform length compared to the heavily graduated top of an American Crew Cut. However, in American Crew Cuts, the hairstyle tends to be tapered in certain sections. In some variations of the style, the hair is left much longer at the front so that it can be pulled up into a peak or rolled over to create a quiff. Shorter Crew Cuts may be referred to as Buzz Cuts.
#6: Maintenance
These two hair cuts are on the shorter side, but require different levels of maintenance.
High and Tight Cut
High and tight cuts are more difficult to maintain because of the sharp contrast. Because the sides are shaved down to the skin, even a small amount of growth disrupts the tight fade, requiring frequent barber visits.
Additionally, because this cut exposes the scalp to close-cutting foil shavers, you must ensure your barber strictly sanitizes their tools to prevent folliculitis (clipper bumps) or skin irritation. Utilizing a post-shave astringent at home will help keep the exposed scalp healthy.
Crew Cut
Crew cuts are easier to maintain than tight cuts because once it grows out, you have more time in between haircuts where you can manipulate the style.